The Blue Binder: How to Prepare Your Finances and Investments in Case of Death or Disability

[@rob_berger]

Blue Binder Template: robberger.activehosted.com/f/3

[@noreenn6976]

You're a good husband Rob, the blue binder will make life so much easier for your wife.

[@cdrum0032]

Literally one of most thoughtful and helpful gifts/tips and guidelines. Sincerely thank you so much

[@robertryan3490]

Does this link still work? I added my name, email and have received no email response?

[@cdrum0032]

Yes the link still works.

[@akhan2359]

I don't believe the link to the template still works. Could you let us know how to access it? Thank you!

[@briannaculpepper]

My dad passed away unexpectedly last year without a will and I wish this video was out before then because I would have immediately shared it with him. I'm 25 and had to lead my mother through everything since he managed all the household finances. Thanks Rob! I'm a new subscriber.

[@markgoodwin2144]

For those who are retired two things you need to do is to notify social security and Medicare having these numbers can be helpful. Place for title to the cars and call to insurance company to take individual off the policy. List of Charge cards that need to be cancelled. List of expenses and how they are paid via mail, automatically, etc. Budgeting data if you have it. A revocable family trust for house and other assets to avoid probate. Thank you for the video.

[@9rows]

This is a great video, Rob. My father-in-law passed a little over two years ago, and my wife is STILL helping her mom sort through the mess he left behind. My wife is active in our annual financial planning and is aware of all our accounts and key contacts, but we still keep a folder in the safe with physical documents that we update annually. Thanks for the reminder on this often overlooked aspect of financial planning. It's like leaving one last "I love you" note to your family.

[@karengaudet7006]

Thank you for this valuable tool. This hit home for me as my husband’s former boss was one of the casualties in the tragic boating accident in Ga. last week. Her spouse and 2 of her adult children were also killed and I wonder who will help the remaining grieving daughter piece together all the important information you mentioned. I thought I was organized before viewing your video but now realize I can do better. This would also be helpful for someone having to take over the affairs of a parent or loved one who can no longer handle their finances. I might mention that under the taxes section, you could add a place to notate something about estimated tax payments, if applicable. Also, maybe a notation about location of safe deposit boxes. Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us in a concise and easy to understand fashion. You provide a great service.

[@Jerseygirlinberkeley1]

Wow, this hit me hard. 5 years ago my husband died suddenly, at age 55. I was fortunate to have friends that helped me put his finances together.

[@jeffb.2469]

Gosh, that was young. Sorry for your loss!

[@slimdawgwoof]

I have a word document with instructions as well as a financial inventory. I put a background watermark in the word doc of a bloody handprint. I think my wife will find it humorous! 🤪 Thanks for sharing yours I will incorporate all the good ideas.

[@mooring10]

Either as a separate section or a subsection of the Debt section, I would insert a list of credit cards, limits, payment due dates, and if they are auto-pay, from which accounts. When I was laid up in the hospital for 6 months, my wife and family had no clue about the several active CC accounts and how they were managed. (Several accounts to maximize points benefits).

[@Rolando-SE]

What a service to your viewers, thank you.

[@aasavickas]

Excellent video. Excellent google doc. I've been a fan of your channel and subscribed for a long time. This one is particularly great. Thank you

[@MartinHopkinson]

Greetings from England Rob! I just wanted to say thanks for the blue binder! I had to change some ROTHs to ISAs and 401Ks to SIPPs and dollars to pounds but it was a really useful template. I find that most of our stuff that isn’t in my head is on my computer so I added a section with the folder address pathways on my Macbook to find important files: insurance policies, account details, utility bills etc. Now I just have to sit down with my wife and explain it all!

[@GrundyMad]

Just a thought on something to add ( And it may aide you as a budgeting exercise); list all monthly recurring subscriptions (Not mortgages but things like Netflix , gym membership, vpn or other services) and what should be done with them (Cancel, transfer, etc)

[@WrightViewLLC]

Rob: Your content is always superlative. Thank you for sharing it!

[@anujgupta9293]

Love it . Such an important topic which we usually ignore. I think all of us , even younger people should have a plan, even for worse Thanks once again

[@seriousfaith]

Rob- I'm a long time viewer of your channel and love the content. This video is likely more valuable than all of them. put together- people do not realize how valuable this data is until you're trying to piece it together for someone who either is deceased or incapacitated.

[@memphis370z]

Thanks for making and sharing this video, Rob. Also, thank you for making the templates available to your viewers. Much appreciated.

[@calbob750]

The Blue Binder: truly smart idea. No one in my family shows an interest in my financial activities believe it or not. Once the “roll is called up yonder” and they’re stuck with the wreckage, the Blue Binder (Yellow in my case) will suddenly be appreciated. When my father passed away, the contents of a file cabinet was my “Rosetta Stone” for a puzzle of his assets and liabilities.

[@charliestrniste1752]

Rob, this was extremely valuable to me! Thank you for sharing your thinking and templates. I have been struggling through setting this up for our household with very limited (ugh!) success. Enjoy your channel immensely!

[@sarahsunsetpark]

@RobBerger This is a great idea and I hope to create my own blue binder soon. I love the organization of it fantastic thank you for sharing this idea. You have the best videos on how to get organized around your finances. Thank you so much Sarah

[@robertpollard4786]

Fabulous and so crucial. Fortunately, I've prepared something like this, though different in style, and have shared it with my partner and family members. I update it regularly. You did mention a few things that I can do to improve my method; thanks for that. One suggestion - I had my partner video me as I pointed out where my "blue binder" and other crucial documents are (she doesn't live with me), and which folders in my file drawers are most relevant in this context (e.g., a folder with websites and passwords, insurance folders, etc.) A very important thing you said is to note that, in both your case and mine, we don't have life insurance. That is really important to prevent survivors from wasting their time. My sister lost her husband last year and he did nothing like this...and is floundering with the work and uncertainties involved. I showed her my 2-page document that captures, or instructs, most of the stuff you mentioned in your video and her jaw dropped. This kind of thing should simply be an automatic responsibility of any adult, especially as we age.

[@andreakenocho]

Financial planning is extremely important for the health of the entire family, including the coming generations. When my father died suddenly at age 40 while windsurfing, I was 14, my middle brother 13, and my youngest brother 11. My dad had nothing planned. Then, my mom gave my youngest brother, who was in his early twenties, the management of the entire family patrimony (she favored him at the time), and I was not supposed to ask about finances. I moved to the US. To make the story short, I barely talk to my brothers, one of whom I think I will never talk to again, and I barely talk to my mom. Their mismanagement and wrongdoings went beyond finances: it affected relationships with cousins, aunts, etc. We all face the inevitable reality of death, and it's crucial to prepare for it in advance. Thank you, Rob, for helping us set a better and healthier path.

[@jameswinar7242]

Rob, Great job. Much needed resource for every family. You asked for some helpful comments. #1. It's Blue*% you're a Buckeye! #2. Hidden bills they might not see. @Property taxes if your home is paid for and they can be big. Also, quarterly taxes you might pay on your own, also can be a large number that doesn't show up in the mail. Not to be pickey, just trying to add to a super wll done job of a Green, orange, black or binder. Thank you.

[@curlyq5091]

Great video, Rob! I have a 4 inch binder that I call my "death book". The wife always rolls her eyes whenever I update it and reference it. It came about from my mother who made one for her aged parents and came in handy when they passed away. In my death book, I also keep birth & marriage certificates, copies of licenses, our passports, etc. I keep those because if I or my wife (or both) do die, others won't have to track all of this stuff down. It's right there and ready for distribution. It also keeps the documents handy and not in a drawer somewhere if we ever need them.

[@davisconsul]

Thx Rob for Bluebook idea. In the past I have made a "Letter of Instruction" that details our estate Plan, but your blue book had many more details that I had missed such as Homeowners and car insurance contacts. For your blue book, you might add a section on Medicare Supplement, Part D, Dental or Medicare Advantage information.

[@chrism9037]

Rob, thank you, this is excellent advice thanks

[@bobl634]

Thanks for sharing the template Rob. It’s a good idea and I’m going to use it. One suggestion might be to add a section for 529 plans and the basic guidelines on how you contribute and withdraw. I will be adding a section on that for my plan. Thanks again.

[@jamesabraham1541]

This is great. You might want to consider asking your wife now about how she might want to get help with finances and investing. If she wants help in person as you mentioned, you can help vet someone who will help her and use your investing strategy. Allows her to get comfortable with an FA sooner rather than later. I did, and gives her and I peace of mind. The fee I pay is worth it to her and to me - I think of it as an insurance payment. Love your videos, thank you.

[@noreenn6976]

That's quite a binder Rob. I had a one inch binder pictured when you kept mentioning the infamous "blue binder" in the livestreams. Great to share this info.

[@chrisbowman6608]

This is fantastic! Thank you. I'm creating my own "Glass Binder" (break open in case of emergency;-) I would offer one observation as a retired pastor having helped hundreds of people go through their own "hit by a bus" transitions: add contacts/do first bullets including clergy contact(s), funeral /interment plans (or my preference here in Virginia: VSAP (Virginia State Anatomical Program) which requires contact within 24 hrs of death to donate the body of the deceased), and family members to contact for funeral planning. My own Binder includes recommended funeral service songs, scriptures, and speakers (etc.).

[@cliffd7164]

Thank you for these tools. I have begun my own binder but between your templates and Get It Together I hope to plug any gaps. I am also supplementing the binder with videos I record in Zoom that provide my commentary on each subject.

[@rob_berger]

I've talked to my wife about videos. She said they'd be hard to watch. I assume she meant because I would be dead if she were watching them, not because I'm less than entertaining! Anyway, I think it's a great idea.

[@Andre-Nader]

Great video! I have an email I sent to my wife “Open me when I die “. Just a lesson from me on this, make sure to let them know in person before sending the email. That avoids a frantic phone call.

[@josephhopkins5620]

Thanks Rob! Setting it up today!! Doug

[@catomoose]

Thank you for this Rob!

[@CallsignEskimo-l3o]

Thanks for the templates Rob. I keep something similar but instead of a physical binder, I keep electronic copies in a Google Drive folder and share the folder (without editing permission) to family members and others I feel might need the information.

[@wildflowerwind6941]

That is a good idea to keep an electronic document.

[@steveh6062]

Another great video! I ordered the "Get It Together" book also. Thank you!

[@wildflowerwind6941]

I think anything that changes constantly only needs a user ID and password for access. A paper version, copy of paper version is outdated the minute it is printed. Beneficiary only needs access to account. I do not want to constantly have to update the binder, even yearly. Just my 2 cents.

[@ChristopherComilang]

Very informative!

[@RogerMKE]

This is helpful and something I've been meaning to do for some time. I would recommend adding a section for savings bonds. This is especially true because the US Treasury doesn't send you periodic statements that an heir might come across to alert them of what you electronic bonds you have. There are currently some $26 billion in outstanding, unclaimed savings bonds. I would track issue date, maturity date, owner, amount, type (I or EE), fixed and variable rate. For EE's showing whey double in value would be good, and for I-Bonds showing they can be cashed in penalty-free would also be good. Lastly, include a comment that they stop accruing interest after the maturity date. Also on the bank accounts section there is room to add a "Safe Deposit Box" section to alert heirs of the existence of it and how to access it. Finally, maybe a section to list valuables and heirlooms and their location. My grandparents, who didn't trust banks, had envelopes full of cash hidden in secret places all around their house.

[@ironmanbox]

This was very helpful, thank you. Do you think there should be a section for medial records/information? For example, if you have a health issue that incapacitates you would it not be helpful for your spouse to have access to contact info for Doctor, Specialists, medication lists, medical history, etc.

[@royprovins7037]

I am workin with schwab on a living trust

[@revansCAAD8]

Great now I have more to do. j/k Thank you Rob!

[@JulienTant]

Did you also make a will? Is it important to make one if your spouse is your beneficiary everywhere?

[@rob_berger]

Absolutely.

[@ld5714]

Great video thanks for sharing Rob. Unfamiliar with Google Sheets. Not confident with Google or how secure the date would be. Can't figure out how to download and then save into Excel or directly save copy to excel. Anyone know the answer?

[@thegrimmperspective]

File menu / download where you have 7 options to save to.

[@lindapatrick2676]

Wow, what an accomplishment for your family and for us! Thank you very much. One question is (sorry I am not technically aware). How do I make a copy or do you mean download it and also will I be able actually be able to type into the fields of the template? Hoping this makes sense.😬

[@thegrimmperspective]

The second email has a link that takes you to a brief web page and there is a button to make a copy. Log into your google account and locate the 3x3 dots (google apps) and click on it. This saves a copy to your own google docs page.

[@tc6935]

I made a emergency binder with all the same info in both electronic and physical binder. I encrypt the electronic copy in my computer hard drive and the physical copy in a fire rated safe. I did put a copy of my passwords in the binder. I too use 1password but I don't like the idea of a 3rd party company having all my passwords and me not knowing what they are because 1password passwords are very long. I also add few more digits at the end of 1password to make it extra secure.

[@tc6935]

I got off social media over 10 years ago because it was a time waster in my eyes but I like to watch KZbin videos because you can learn stuff. I like learning about investing and have been watching your videos for awhile now. I don't really like to reply to videos but after I had a serious health issue at the age of 38 its never too early to prepare for the worst.

[@irabartley5250]

Signed up to get the Blue Binder but did not get a link for the download. Am I missing something?

[@rob_berger]

Check your spam folder. If it's not there, send your email address and I'll send it over. Oh, and you have to confirm your signup first, then the email with links comes after that.

[@dmoon9037]

Do you check those embedded links in your document each year? (To address any link rot.)

[@auricgoldfinger8478]

My wife has a MBA, but still is incapable of understanding basic finance or portfolio strategy. I have come to understand that she is in the autistic spectrum

[@MontyGumby]

too much info lol