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Jonathan Braddock

Top Reasons To Rethink Your Storage Habits

1/26/2021

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​Where do you file your important papers and information?
If you’re like most of us, our information is scattered among the following places;
  • File cabinet in home or office
  • In a home safe
  • In a bank safe deposit box
  • On a personal computer
  • Stored on a smart phone or tablet
You may not have thought about it, but these may not be the best places to store information anymore.
We’ve compiled a list of the top reasons why those choices may be outdated.
File Box / File Cabinet
  1. Fire or natural disaster destroys documents and important papers.
  2. Originals are susceptible to theft, damage or misplacement.
  3. Difficult to find and retrieve the correct documents when needed.
  4. Family members or unwanted guests can view or alter documents.
Home Safe
  1.  Fireproof or large safe can be costly to purchase and to install.
  2. You and others have to remember the combination.
  3. Digital door lock can fail, or dead batteries can leave you locked out.
  4. Difficult to move.
  5. No access to documents from anywhere but location of safe.
Bank Safe Deposit Box
  1. Contents only available during regular banking hours.
  2. Can be high monthly cost or bank goes out of business.
  3. Manage key access. What is the key and box location? Will others know or have access?
Personal Computer Storage
  1. Computer hard drives fail. Risk of unrecoverable documents.
  2. Information only accessible at PC site.
  3. Nobody knows the computer password to access your documents.
  4. Accidental or natural disaster can destroy computer.
Mobile Storage
  1. Phone can easily be damaged or destroyed.
  2. No protection from strangers who may get access.
  3. Loved ones may not know code to unlock phone.
  4. Data on phone memory or uploads may not be secure.


Here are some other places that may be good options with their pitfalls:
Store with Attorney or Family Member
  1. Most Attorney’s do not offer digital storing of legacy type documents.
  2. Attorney’s or family members pass away too. Then what?
  3. Family Member may not want the responsibility for dealing with your Legacy.
  4. No digital solution for original paper documents.
Cloud Storage
  1. Google Drive, One Drive etc. provide no guidance on what to store.
  2. Must share login credentials for anyone else to access information.
  3. Must share all information if sharing login credentials.


What is the safest, most accessible way to store and access information?  Through companies like My Life and Wishes.  This is a burgeoning industry, opening our eyes to how much of our lives are integrated with technology.  We have so many passwords and websites to keep track of – and they are every-changing.  It’s becoming critical to keep a list handy to update access information.
So be aware of the pitfalls and outdated ways to store information.  Let My Life and Wishes help you get organized and keep track of all the access points for your digital life.
Click here to start your free trial today!

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Death Etiquette

8/4/2020

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​Following my own personal experience with the death of a loved one, I developed this term:

Death Etiquette®

It is being thoughtfully prepared for one’s own passing.  Making things easier for family and loved ones by leaving clear and concise instructions.  Everything from information about your final wishes, for funeral desires, as well as the location of how to access important documents, accounts and your digital life.  Further, identifying who should be responsible for carrying out your final wishes.  And ultimately, settling all the final affairs.

​Save your family from the massive scavenger hunt for needed information!  Unfortunately, this plagues far too many families.  It is unnecessary and totally avoidable.
It is also important to see an Estate Planning Attorney.  They will prepare the needed legal documents we all should have.  Wills, Advance Directives, POA’s and so much more.  Then be sure to store and secure these documents.  Along with the aforementioned items, so family can access them when the time comes!
 
My Life and Wishes is the simple, safe and secure way to organize and store all this critical information.
This simple act of planning will save your loved ones, Stress, Time and Money.  The things which divide families.

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Big Health Insurance Deductible?  This Can Help!

5/18/2020

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For most of us, we’ve seen our health insurance deductibles rise dramatically over the last decade. We now pay thousands of dollars in deductible– and that’s before any of the insurance kicks in!
But there are things that can help. We’ve put together a list of products to help cover those high deductible costs.
First, if you have a qualified high deductible health plan, you should use an HSA (Health Savings Account).  This allows you to put money away (TAX FREE) to pay for your deductibles.  Check with your insurance advisor or accountant to see if this is an option for you.Here are some additional solutions:

Disability Insurance
  • What is it? Insurance policy that pays you money if you’re sick or injured and cannot work.
  • How does it work? When you buy the plan, you choose the amount of monthly benefit (usually 60% – 70% of your income). You choose how long you want the benefits to pay (2 years, 5 years etc). You choose the elimination period, which is the time before benefits begin. This is usually 60 – 90 days after your illness or injury begins.  The Insurance company pays you every month until you recuperate or reach the end of your plan.
  • How can it help with a deductible?  The plan is designed to replace your income when not working. This provides you with the extra dollars to cover that high deductible. it can also help with living expenses, while not working.
Accident Insurance
  • What is it? Insurance policy that pays you money if you’re injured and unable to work. (We’ve all seen the AFLAC commercials).
  • How does it work? You buy coverage at certain dollar levels, the more you want it to pay, the higher the premium. Once a covered accident occurs, the insurance company pays you a lump sum dollar amount.
  • How can it help with deductible? The product is perfect to help with deductibles, as you are receiving a lump sum of money. Remember though, it is accident only, so this would not pay in the event of a health-related situation.
Critical Illness insurance
  • What is it? An insurance policy that pays you a lump sum of money upon the diagnosis of a major illness. Usually the illness covered are;
    • Heart Attack
    • Cancer
    • Stroke
    • Kidney Failure
    • Major organ Transplant
    • Blindness and Deafness
    • Multiple Sclerosis
    • Coma
  • How does it work?  When you buy the insurance, you decide on the lump sum that will be paid. Amounts usually range from $10,000 to $50,000 for each illness.
  • How can it help with deducible? This product was designed for the added expenses that come with a major illness. It will not only help with deductibles but can be used for other out-of-pocket expenses as well.
Life Insurance with Terminal Illness coverage
  • What is it? Life insurance that includes a feature that pays in advance if you are diagnosed with a terminal condition.
  • How does it work? You choose the life insurance amount, then a percentage of that can be paid in advance. Generally, 50% – 75% can be paid out to use as you choose. Then upon death, your beneficiary receives the balance.
  • How can it help with a deducible? The benefits are generally paid upon diagnosis, to enable you to cover that deducible. As with the other plans, there are no requirements on how you use the money you receive.
So, here is the breakdown of the cost:
  • Best overall: Health Savings Account
  • Most expensive: Disability Insurance
  • Moderately expensive: Life Insurance
  • Relatively inexpensive: Critical Illness
  • Least expensive: Accident Insurance
So, what’s right for you? Maybe cancer or heart issues are in your family history? Then maybe the Critical Illness is right for you. Maybe your children are in sports or are accident prone and you are often running to the urgent care? If so, the accident coverage might be of interest. Maybe you just want the security to know you have another resource in the event something did occur? Then the Life insurance with a terminal illness feature might be your option. Yet, the disability protection pays you money in the event any condition (health related or accident) prevents you from working. So perhaps that’s the best all-around solution for you.
So, as you consider your health insurance options – premiums vs. deductibles, know that there are other pieces that can play into your decision. Many times, employers offer these types of coverage at the workplace. If not, contact an insurance company or insurance professional for help.

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Do You Know What To Save?

12/16/2019

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Keep or Shred?

Today, we are taking a deeper dive into what you should keep and for how long.
We’ll also give you suggestions on where to store documents, and when they are no longer needed, how to get rid of them.


The most important documents are those we should keep forever. You may wish to keep more, but generally, these are the types of things we should hang onto forever;
  • Birth certificate
  • Death certificate
  • Marriage license
  • Passport
  • Drivers license
  • Adoption paperwork
  • Military paperwork
  • Diplomas, transcripts
  • Estate planning documents such as Will and Advance Directives
  • Paid Mortgage records
Make sure that you store these documents and records in a safe place so they are accessible when you need them. Experts recommend keeping a digital copy in the event originals are lost or destroyed.Other documents (such as receipts, pay stubs, financial statements etc.) can be destroyed after a certain period of time. For a comprehensive list, check out the attached article by Suze Orman>>
Jean Chatzky also published a helpful guide by document type. You can reference that by clicking here>>
With this information, you can determine what records you need to hang on to and for how long. But what do you do with the documents you want to get rid of? That depends on what information is included on the documents you want to destroy.
As a general rule, shred any document that has account numbers, passwords or pins. Also, shred anything with personal information such as your name and date of birth or social security number.Some examples of documents that should be shredded;
  • Bank statements
  • Canceled and voided checks
  • Credit card bills
  • Expired Driver’s licenses
  • Employment documents that have any identifying information
  • Expired passports and visas
  • Legal documents
  • Investment, stock, and property transactions
  • Leases
  • Medical and dental records
  • Pay stubs
  • Receipts with checking account numbers, credit card numbers, or any other identifying information
  • Utility bills
If you don’t want to invest in a good shredding machine there are other options available to you. Look for special events in your area that offer free shredding services. Many businesses offer shredding for a fee. The cost is based on a certain dollar amount per bag or by weight.So lets unclutter! Keep only those pieces of paper that we need, shred the ones we don’t. Keep those forever documents in a safe place and keep digital copies as a back up.
A great solution to digitally store all your important documents and information is My Life and Wishes digital platform.  With 24/7 access, this may be the solution for you!  Check it out here!>>


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7 Reasons Why You Should Make or Update Your Will This August

8/26/2019

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Wills are one of those things in life that everyone knows they need, yet seem to hate or avoid making. When you make your Will, you are giving your family and loved ones a gift. Your Will ensures that your loved ones can grieve in peace rather than argue, litigate, or resent each other over the details of your estate once you’re gone.
The top 7 benefits of having a Will include:
  1. You decide who will take care of your minor children. Name the right legal guardians for your children if you and your spouse can’t be there. If you have minor children, and no Will, a judge will decide who cares for them, and the situation may not be ideal.
  2. You control how your property and assets will be distributed.  Dying without a Will means you’ll have no say over who receives your property. State laws will decide. In some states, only 1/2 of one’s assets go to the surviving spouse. Depending on your situation, the rest would go to your children, parents or close relatives. You’ve worked hard to build your estate, be sure you get to decide who it goes to…not the courts!
  3. You assign an executor to make sure that your wishes are carried out and that your affairs are in order.  An executor is the person appointed in the Will to manage the estate, deal with the probate court, pay outstanding debts, collect assets, and distribute the estate according to the provisions of the Will.It’s a vital first step to long term peace of mind. But no matter how thorough your estate plan is, choosing the right person to carry out your final wishes is essential. It can be challenging to pick an executor who can file paperwork on time and handle potentially volatile family relationships. Here are some recommendations that may help with such a weighty decision. Read more at: https://www.legalzoom.com/articles/how-to-choose-an-executor
  4. Allows You to alleviate potential arguments and legal challenges for your loved ones. The biggest cause of family infighting after a loved one passes always seems to be from unclear Wills, or a complete lack of a Will at all.
  5. Saves Loved ones a lengthy probate process.  The last thing family and friends want is to have estate matters drawn out for months after someone dies. Knowing what probate actually involves will help ease fears about the process—one that isn’t always as complex as you might think. Read more at: https://www.legalzoom.com/articles/the-top-three-ways-to-avoid-probate?li_source=LI&li_medium=AC_side
  6. Minimize estate taxes so more value passes on to your loved ones. Let’s face it, none of us enjoy paying taxes. So even worse, after your death, your estate may be subject to several kinds of taxes. Some states have an inheritance tax and/or an estate tax. The federal government imposes an estate tax that applies no matter where you live. The estate tax is based on the total value of the property in a deceased person’s estate. If your estate is worth less than a certain amount, no estate taxes will be due. Also, any portion of your estate that goes to your spouse, either directly or in certain types of trusts, will not be subject to estate tax. Read more at: https://smartasset.com/taxes/5-ways-the-rich-can-avoid-the-estate-tax
  7. Because tomorrow is not promised. Selfless loving family leaders focus on more than just the health and happiness of their family today — they put plans into action that protect their family long into the future.
If you want to protect your family into the future and get started on YOUR Will, click here to read more… https://www.mylifeandwishes.com/end-of-life-planning/wills/

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Click here when I die

6/21/2017

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Book: Click here when I die
My hope for this book is that anyone who picks it up and reads it will be entertained, enlightened and will see the important reality of planning ahead for the love of their family. Further, that it really is much easier than one might think and it really isn’t a downer to be thoughtfully prepared for our own, ultimate mortality. Heck, we all know we aren’t going to live, forever right?  We also don’t know when our last day will be, right?  So, if we all agree on those two things, then isn’t being prepared the responsible thing to do?  Why?  For love, that’s why!

Let’s face it, death isn’t hard on the one who has died, it is hard on those that are still here! We love them and we certainly don’t want to add to their pain. Sadness, grief and loneliness are very hard yet, normal emotions and are part of the healing process. The confusion, stress and frankly anger associated with trying to track down all the departed persons “stuff” from insurance policies, financial records and then close their entire digital life, are not (normal emotions)!

So many families are left to struggle with trying to piece things together following the loss of a loved one, only because the departed never planned and told someone what to do! The consequences of this lack of planning delays the normal grieving and healing process, can be exhaustively time consuming and all too often can divide families. Certainly, not what I want my own passing to do to my family.  So, I have planned because I love them and I want things to be as easy as possible when I am no longer here.  And, you can too!  As I said earlier, it really isn’t difficult to do.  So, for the love of family, please do it!

Want a copy of my new book?  Click here!

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Social Media Mess

7/20/2016

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Social Media Mess
How many times have you stumbled across the Facebook page of a friend who passed away months, even years ago? Social media has transformed our lives – and added a whole new challenge to our deaths.

Not only do simple things like Facebook pose a challenge, but today our lives are increasingly digital. Everything from where we receive our news to how we shop involves a username and password or an account. . .. all only known by you. How are your loved ones supposed to sort this out after you are gone?

Without giving away any secured information, we have the solution.

My Life & Wishes is set up to securely store as little or as much information as you want on the site so in one click, your family members can access your social media sites, find your auto payments, your online passwords and every account you have online.

Sound scary? It is not. You bank online now. You buy things online now. You post online now. These are all secure sites that are equal to the security of My Life & Wishes. By getting your digital house in order on your totally private and personalized account, your family will thank you each and every day for leaving this valuable gift behind. Instead of months of work, they will have instant access to all of your accounts. One can rarely even do that with a paper file box of records.

Think about it: The number of your social media and other online accounts is always growing. Your online account inventory may include some of the following. Be sure to list user names, passwords, and PIN numbers for each of your accounts.
  • Email: Gmail, Hotmail, Yahoo, AOL
  • Social: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Reddit, Snapchat
  • Career: LinkedIn, Monster, About, Tumblr, WordPress
  • Communication: Verizon, AT&T, Viber, Skype
  • Media: Pandora, Spotify, iTunes, Dropbox, Google Drive, Netflix, Hulu
  • Necessities: Amazon, Walgreens, eBay, Target, Online Grocers
  • Bills and Auto payments: Utilities, Mortgage, Auto, Mint, PayPal
  • Travel: Airline miles, Hotel bonus points, Hotels.com, Hotwire, Orbitz, Uber
  • Dating Life: eHarmony, Plenty of Fish, Match.com
  • Entertainment: Groupon, Grubhub, Stubhub, Ticketmaster

You can determine how all of this is handled. That’s the beauty of opening an account at My Life & Wishes. Don’t leave your loved ones with a mess to untangle. Hunting and digging for information is no fun. Get your digital house in order today. Your family will thank you.

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Our Story

6/7/2016

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I think like most people, my wife, Michelle, and I really hadn’t given much, if any, thought to what would happen if one of us, or another family member passed away. On Labor Day 2013 that all changed for us when Michelle’s father suddenly passed away.
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During the days following his passing, we did what we could do just to “get through it.” Things like notifying immediate and extended family and close friends, piecing together an obituary, selecting a funeral home, working with the florist, making arrangements with the church for the service, quickly trying to put together memory boards, and planning the reception following the service.

All these tasks were daunting at best. We hoped the arrangements and decisions that we were making would have been pleasing to Michelle’s father. Completing these tasks on little rest was not easy; after all we were still dealing with the shock of the loss. Little did we know; however, that the challenges were just beginning!

Like many families, one person is usually the keeper of the finances. In our case, Michelle’s father was that person. He paid all the bills, did the banking, and handled all of the household finances. In fact, Michelle’s mother had not paid a bill in nearly 60 years!

Unfortunately, Michelle’s father hadn’t shared all of the important details with anyone in the family. So, none of us knew where all the accounts were located or even what life insurance policies may be in force. We did find a safe deposit key, but had no idea at what financial institution it was held. How were we to track down his pension and retirement assets, much less be able to access the bills he paid online? And the list of questions went on and on.

Sadly, this process of “cleaning things up” took nearly 10 months of digging through desk drawers and old files, making exhaustive phone calls, and searching for documents and information. We found that others we spoke with about our situation were anxious to share their stories with us, and everyone one of them was sadly similar.

Time for a Change
We thought there must be a better way! Isn’t the sadness of the loss enough? Why should those who are left behind have to endure all of this additional hardship in an already stressful time? Michelle and I agreed that we had to come up with a solution to make things easier; a way for people to get organized and to share important information with those they love. So that when they pass, their loved ones will have access to important information and final wishes. In this complex and ever changing world, we can no longer simply hope our families or loved ones can figure things out. We call it “End of Life Etiquette.”

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