Emergency Plan Should Include Financial Readiness, Advanced Preparation for
the Unpredictable Can Pay Off
Aurora, IL, February 01, 2010 --(PR.com)-- Don't panic. Be prepared.
Although the Chicago area is not likely to endure the devastating effects of an earthquake, it is subject to
its own set of impending natural disasters, like tornadoes and flooding. Consumer Credit Counseling
Service, a program of Family Counseling Service of Aurora, issued a specific list this week to help people
organize their finances and understand why and how to be prepared.
The non-profit agency is certified by the National Foundation for Credit Counseling and NeighborWorks
America, and serves thousands of Kane, Kendall, DeKalb, Will, DuPage and Cook county residents with
affordable credit and housing counseling.
“In an emergency of any kind, it's going to be a lot easier to maintain your calm and ease your stress if
you know right where your important financial documents and money are, and how to get to them
quickly,” Consumer Credit Counseling Service program director Bettye DeRamus said. “That's what we
help our clients understand: it's worth the investment of time now to save yourself panic or worry later.”
Consumer Credit Counseling Service suggests the following Top 10 tips when formulating a financial
emergency plan:
- Have an overall checklist in place before the emergency strikes, and if possible, review it before leaving
your home;
- Gather all financial records in one spot at home and one off-site. Inform all family members of your
plan, where your “go-box” or safe is located, and instruct them that they are to bring it with them when
evacuating.
- Inform a trusted friend or family member where documents are located.
- Copy the front and back of all credit cards, debit cards and ATM cards.
- After the event, call the credit card companies and alert them to expect purchases outside of your normal
charging pattern.
- Keep an amount of cash on hand to sustain you short-term.
- Make a list of all financial institutions with whi