What's Your Spring Financial Forecast?

By Robin Gibson

Did you know that April is Financial Capability Month? We didn't either. But the good folks at FEMA saw fit to make sure we did and to send us these tips to prep for a financial disaster. April showers bring May... bankruptcies? No, but it never hurts to be prepared just in case. And, Lord knows, if the Lowcountry knows anything, it's how to prep for storms.

Ok, so maybe you're more familiar with hurricane names, storm kits and evacuation routes and that's good. But what's also good is checking the barometer of your finances, too. 

“Disasters can be overwhelming and chaotic — don’t let financial uncertainty worsen the situation,” said James K. Joseph, regional administrator for FEMA Region V in Chicago. “Take the time now to ensure important documents are safely stored, your insurance coverage is adequate, and you have enough money on-hand to meet your family’s immediate, emergency needs if something unexpected occurs.”

In keeping with that note of monetary caution, FEMA offers these three tips to prepare for the worst while keeping your nose and wallet above water.

1. Set aside enough cash to get you and your family through multiple days after an emergency. Consider costs to temporarily house, clothe and feed your family for up to a week. This is especially important if ATMs, banks and credit card machines aren’t functional due to an extended power outage. Include smaller bills as well, in case stores can’t make change. If putting aside that much money isn’t an immediate option, consider saving in smaller increments to eventually save the amount you may need.
2. Have copies of important personal and family information. If you lost everything in a disaster, what will you use to prove your identity to get credit cards reissued, file insurance claims, or request disaster assistance? Have extra originals or copies of passports, driver's licenses, birth and marriage certificates, adoption decrees, Social Security cards and military records stored in a safe, easily accessible location—such as a safe deposit box, external hard drive or the cloud—to avoid any issues. 
3. Obtain property insurance. Talk to your insurance agent about the coverage your home may need. Review existing policies and ensure the amount and extent are adequate to cover losses from any possible hazard. Homeowners insurance covers wind damage, but a rider needs to be added to insure against sewer backup. In addition, homeowners insurance doesn’t typically cover flooding, so you may need to purchase flood insurance from the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Remember, there is a 30-day waiting period before a flood insurance policy becomes effective, so act now to ensure you have coverage in place if floodwaters threaten your home. Learn more about your flood insurance options by visiting www.FloodSmart.gov.

An easy way to start preparing your finances for an emergency is by completing an Emergency Financial First Aid Kit. This important document offers guidance on organizing and securing important documents, provides important advice on managing finances, and describes what to expect should a disaster strike your community. For even more information on how to financially prepare for an unexpected emergency or disaster, visit www.ready.gov/financial-preparedness.  

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Life in the Lowcountry is beautiful but let's be honest.
It's also full of storms. ​Don't be caught in one unexpectedly, ​financially or otherwise.