National Preparedness Month: Are You Financially Ready?
September 2, 2025
When you hear the phrase National Preparedness Month, what comes to mind? For most of us, it’s natural to think about storm shutters, earthquake kits, or stocking up on batteries and bottled water. While those steps are important, there’s another critical layer of preparedness that often gets overlooked: financial preparedness.
Just as you wouldn’t want to face a hurricane without flashlights and food supplies, you also don’t want to face life’s curveballs without a solid financial plan in place. Emergencies—whether they’re natural disasters, medical events, or sudden job changes—often have just as much financial impact as they do physical. Preparing now can help you weather those storms more smoothly.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), which serves as the nation’s consumer protection agency, emphasizes that financial readiness is just as essential as that flashlight with fresh batteries. In honor of National Preparedness Month, here are some practical, FTC-recommended steps you can take to get your financial life organized and secure.
1. Create a Household Inventory
One of the most overlooked parts of financial preparedness is keeping track of what you own. If you ever need to file an insurance claim, having a clear inventory of your possessions can save time and stress.
Start by listing your valuables—everything from electronics to furniture to jewelry—and back that list up with photos or even a video walkthrough of your home. Keep one copy in your home, ideally in a lockable, fireproof file box, and store another in a safe deposit box or secure digital location. This way, you’ll have evidence ready if disaster strikes.
2. Assemble a “Grab-and-Go” File Box
A fireproof, portable file box is a smart investment. In an emergency, you’ll want all your essential documents in one place, easy to carry if you need to evacuate.
What should you keep inside? At a minimum:
● Your household inventory
● A list of emergency contacts (including someone outside your immediate area)
● Copies of prescriptions and health insurance cards
● Policy numbers and contact information for your insurance companies
● Copies of deeds, titles, wills, birth and marriage certificates, passports, and retirement documents (store originals in a safe deposit box when possible)
● Contact details for creditors, banks, landlords, and utility providers
● Account numbers for financial institutions, loans, and investments
● Social Security cards and backups of digital financial data
● Extra keys for your house, car, and safe deposit box
● A small stash of cash, in case ATMs or banks are inaccessible
This box becomes your family’s financial lifeline in an emergency.
3. Use a Safe Deposit Box for Irreplaceable Documents
While your fireproof file box should house copies and quick-access items, certain originals deserve the added security of a safe deposit box at a bank. These include:
● Property deeds and vehicle titles
● Original birth, marriage, and naturalization documents
● Passports and Social Security cards
● Stock and bond certificates
● Trust agreements and powers of attorney
● Insurance policies and appraisals of high-value items
● A copy of your will
Keeping these documents safe ensures they won’t be lost in a fire, flood, or burglary.
4. Designate an Out-of-Town Contact
Communication can be disrupted after a disaster, and sometimes it’s easier to reach someone outside your immediate area. Choose a trusted out-of-town relative or friend as your family’s central contact. Make sure everyone in your household knows who that person is and how to reach them. This simple step can save confusion and help your family stay connected in stressful times.
5. Review and Update Regularly
Preparedness isn’t a “set it and forget it” task. Life changes—new homes, updated insurance policies, shifting financial accounts—mean your information needs to stay current. Commit to reviewing your household inventory, file box contents, safe deposit box, and contact details at least once a year. Setting a reminder during National Preparedness Month each September is a smart way to stay on track.
Confidence Through Preparation
Taking the time to organize your financial documents may not be as exciting as booking a vacation or as urgent as replacing storm windows, but its value is undeniable. Financial preparedness not only positions you to handle emergencies with less disruption but also brings peace of mind. Knowing that your critical documents are organized and secure means you’ve taken an important step toward protecting your family’s future.
As National Preparedness Month reminds us, being ready isn’t just about batteries and bottled water—it’s also about safeguarding your financial well-being. Spend a little time this September getting your financial house in order, and you’ll be better prepared for whatever comes your way.
Sources:
https://www.ready.gov/september
Disclosure:
This information is an overview and should not be considered as specific guidance or recommendations for any individual or business.
This material is provided as a courtesy and for educational purposes only.
These are the views of the author, not the named Representative or Advisory Services Network, LLC, and should not be construed as investment advice. Neither the named Representative nor Advisory Services Network, LLC gives tax or legal advice. All information is believed to be from reliable sources; however, we make no representation as to its completeness or accuracy. Please consult your Financial Advisor for further information.