I decided it was about time to get serious about protecting my irreplaceable or hard-to-replace items in my home. I believe it is an important step in the decluttering process. Every item in my home needs a good place but sometimes that place needs to be outside my home in a safe deposit box at a nearby bank.
Last week my husband and I along with my son went to a bank and purchased a box. I had to research which banks had safe deposit boxes. I am glad I did not put this job off any longer.
I still have to finish organizing my photos and put them on a hard drive. I have reserved this entire year to do that task. I also want to do a home inventory video in case we lose all or some of our possessions. It is a great feeling to finally be doing this. I know I have peace of mind knowing that I have safeguarded what would be hard or impossible to replace.
I trust Dave Ramsey and his financial advice. My husband and I took his Financial Peace University class at our church many years ago. It was one of the best decisions we have ever made. The course taught us how to get out of debt and stay out of debt forever. I am forever grateful for the information we learned in this class. Check out his website for a class near you! I also highly recommend his book: The Total Money Makeover.
Check out Ramsey’s website to find out what to put in what he calls a “legacy drawer”.
I got this list from daveramsey.com
What to Put in Your Safe Deposit Box
A general rule of thumb on what items you should put in the safe deposit box is: If you can’t replace it or if it’s really expensive to replace, then it should go in the box. However, here’s a more detailed list of items to include.
Copy of your last will and testament
Deeds, titles, and insurance papers for your house, car, and other personal property
Birth and adoption certificates
Marriage and death certificates
Custody agreement and divorce decrees
Military service records
Passports
Copy of your health information (vaccinations, hospitalizations)
Copy of power-of-attorney forms (if applicable)
Social Security cards
Contracts and other legal papers
A videotape inventory of your household items
Valuable heirlooms
What NOT to have in a safe deposit box
(from moneycrashers.com)
Cash
Original Copy of your will
Letters of Instruction
Power of attorney
Advance care directives
Inventory of what is in your safe deposit box
I hope this helps. I believe purchasing a safe deposit box is an important thing to put on your to-do list and not procrastinate on it too long.