Cloud Nine - Be Prepared (part 2)

After last week's post Be Prepared we received an email from LegalZoom revisiting the Top Articles of 2008. One of the articles was 10 Things You Must Keep in a Fireproof Safe. This seemed like a great follow up to last week's reminder.

"The threat of fire isn't unique to California. In fact, the US Fire Administration estimates that fires nationwide caused more than $11 billion in property damage in 2007. Although 91% of Americans agree it's important to prepare for a disaster, only slightly more than half have taken steps to do so.

One great way to make sure you're prepared is to get a fireproof safe. What should you store it in? Here's a list of the top 10 suggested items to keep in your fireproof safe:

1. Current insurance policies and agent contact information. You'll need this information right away if your house suffers damage in a fire.

2. Your family's passports and original birth certificates. These can be a hassle to replace and will come in handy to establish your identity for other purposes.

3. A list of your family's doctors, prescription medications, and contact information for all pharmacies you use. You may need these to get new supplies of medications you use on a regular basis.

4. CDs or an external hard drive containing digital copies of all family photos. It's a good idea to scan all older family photos and keep a digital copy of them as well. Your family memories as preserved in photos are irreplaceable.

5. Safety deposit box keys. If you store valuables at the bank, you'll want to make sure you can access them in the event of an emergency.

6. Important papers related to investments, retirement plans, bank accounts, and associated contact information. You may need ready access to funds.

7. Information on your outstanding debts, due dates, and contact information. It's important to keep tabs on your finances and protect your credit, even if you're displaced by a fire.

8. Original Social Security cards. These can be difficult to replace and may be needed to establish eligibility for aid.

9. Copies of your important legal documents, including powers of attorney, living wills, health care proxies—both for yourself and for anyone else for whom you are designated attorney-in-fact or health care surrogate. Having access to these can help ensure the protection they were created to provide.

10. Copy of family wills and all wills in which you are designated the executor. It's important to safeguard wills so that loved ones are taken care of."

Thanks to LegalZoom and the article's author Sherry Ciurczak.
Photo courtesy of idsafety.org

Cloud Nine - Be Prepared

As a newly married couple you have combined your stuff as well as acquired some new items to personalize your home. While no one likes to think about it...things happen. Make a list of all the important things (i.e. wedding photos, cameras, jewelry, etc.) that you would want to be sure to grab in a house fire. Also, take pictures of each room in your home and inside cabinets as well. It would be extremely hard to remember everything you had or show proof of ownership without those images. Keep the photos in a safe place, possibly a fire proof safe or at your office.Photo provided by The Memory Journalists

Cloud Nine - Girl's Best Friend

Now that you have an amazing ring that you want to sparkle forever, you need to be sure to care for it carefully. The purchasing contract may state that you must get your ring cleaned several times per year to maintain the warranty. Stay on top of getting your ring cleaned by a jeweler to make sure it stays sparkling and the setting is properly secured. Make sure you shield your ring from harsh cleaners and remove it during periods when there's the potential for it to get dirty.

Photo courtesy of Profinish Design

Cloud Nine - Flaunt It

Now that you've changed your name, flaunt your new status. Order personalized stationary with your monogram or new name and get excited about sending out your first correspondence as Mrs. Wells.

Photo provided by American Stationary

Cloud Nine - Saving Together

What are your plans for all the money you were gifted at your wedding? Now that you're married be sure to discuss your savings goals with a banking professional. Ask what your short term and long term savings options are and which accounts could earn you the biggest return.

Photo courtesy of The Memory Journalists

Cloud Nine - Get To Know Each Other

Be sure to discuss your personal goals with your soon-to-be to make sure that the two of you are on the same page to avoid communication blocks later in your relationship. Things to discuss: kids, financial debt, savings goals, retirement saving, religious beliefs, personal ethics, final resting. There's nothing that says that you have to agree on everything, but it's nice to know where your partner stands.

Photo courtesy of The Memory Journalists

Cloud Nine - Guys Reminder

If Guys Only Knew….It takes women longer than two minutes to get over an argument. And while you might have said sorry, it still takes the female brain time to process and accept your apology. Give her time.
Women need to be appreciated for all the things they do. Not that men don’t want to feel appreciated, but women tend to the house and kids more often than most men, and it often goes unnoticed – which translates to unappreciated. Show your wife how much you appreciate her by doing the dishes and taking the kids to soccer practice without being asked, maybe after drawing her a nice bath with some candles and a glass of wine.

Photo courtesy of Sharpe Photographers

Cloud Nine - Proactive Protection

Cloud Nine is directed at the reality of being married now, how things change and the responsibilities that go along with your nuptials.

Something that many of us don't think about as a single person running around town is life insurance, a will or an advanced healthcare directive. While our site is geared towards the fun of planning, getting, and being married, we need to remind you of the not so "fun" stuff that needs to be addressed now that you have someone else sharing your life. Life insurance and a will are designed to help safeguard your partner and outline specific requests should something happen to you. An advanced healthcare directive clearly outlines your wishes, should you be unable to cognitively voice your healthcare decisions. Once you have children this may move to the forefront of your mind a little more...but start thinking about it.

Check out LegalZoom.com for forms and directions to make these tasks easier.

Photo courtesy of Sharpe Photographers

Cloud Nine - If Girls Only Knew...

Men cannot read between the lines. If you are mad at them, they may not know it. If you are sad, they may not pick up on this – it’s similar to how they might not recognize a new hair cut. You have to tell them how you feel, you can’t expect them to automatically know.

Men do not multi-task very well. Women innately know how to do ten things at once. Men complete one task at a time before moving on.

When men say they are sorry, they mean it. Women need to learn to accept this faster, let go and don't lock their mistake in "the vault" for later use.

*Disclaimer: These are merely generalizations and we realize by no means apply to every man.

Cloud Nine - Spend Time Apart to Want Time Together

It is just as important to spend time apart from each other as it is together. Go out and have a girls night dinner. Go spend a day shopping with a friend. The few hours you spend away doing things separately from one another will help your love grow stronger. Remember absence makes the heart grow fonder.

Photo courtesy of Sharpe Photographers

Cloud Nine - Combining Your $

Brides Magazine recently printed some helpful tips when it comes to combining your money. Check it out!
1. Create a budget that you both feel comfortable with to eliminate any surprises.
2. Work together to plan your financial future and set savings goals-experts recommend setting aside 15% of your gross salary for retirement.
3. Determine how you want to handle your banking and whether you want to open a joint account.
4. Change your name and address as necessary on important documents and including your social security card, driver's license, and credit cards.
5. Update your beneficiaries on investment and savings accounts, insurance policies, pension plans, 401 (k) and IRA.
6. Organize all important legal and financial documents and keep them in a protected place in case of an emergency.
7. Reconsider your insurance needs-you may qualify for discounted rates by merging all policies with a single provider.
8. Inform employers of your new status and make changes to benefits plans if necessary.
9. Decide whether you want to file joint or separate tax returns.

Content provided by Brides Magazine.
Photo courtesy of The Memory Journalists

Cloud Nine - Game Day

Set aside at least one day each week for an activity day. If you have little ones, you can play anything from tag to Chutes and Ladders. For older kids, you can set up a day playing ball at the field or a more age appropriate board game. If you don’t have any children, you can spend this time with your partner playing a little “one on one” game of hoops or perhaps a mean game of chess, checkers or kick bootie on the Wii. This is a perfect way to ensure that the whole family gets quality time together and everyone is sure to have a good time.Photo courtesy of The Memory Journalists

Cloud Nine - If Girls Only Knew...Men Are Self-Conscious Too

If Girls Only Knew...
Men like to be complimented about their looks, just as much as women do. Make sure you let him know when a particular shirt brings out the color in his eyes. When you are getting ready to go out for a night on the town, make sure to tell him how hot he looks too. Just because it only took him 15 minutes, doesn't mean he doesn't care about his looks. Throw him a compliment or two and a few extra sweetie squeezes.

Photo courtesy of The Memory Journalists

Cloud Nine - Sharing Responsibility

So you both work outside of the house. Does getting hitched mean you are now the "little lady" and you must do all of the cooking, cleaning, and laundry too?? No it does not. Work out a schedule that will work for the both of you. Maybe for the laundry, you do the clothes but the linens are his chore. How about you dust but he can vacuum? And the cooking, do it together, it will be a great time for you two to talk about your day. You will find that he might enjoy helping out around the house.Photo courtesy of The Memory Journalists

Cloud Nine - He's Not A Mind Reader

Men can not read between the lines. If you are mad at them, they may not know it. If you are sad, they may not pick up on this – it’s similar to how they might not recognize a new hair cut. Most men don't observe us that closely. You have to tell them how you feel, you can’t expect them to automatically know.
Photo courtesy of The Memory Journalists

Cloud Nine - Baby Time

Once you get married you know that the new questions will start. "When are you going to have a baby?" People always seem to want to push you into the next phase of your life. Well, don't take it too seriously! Just remember that all the major decisions in your new married life should be made SOLELY by you and your hubby. While your loved one's may have the best intentions don't let them push you to make decisions you aren't ready for.

Photo courtesy of Allison Stahl Photography

Cloud Nine - Name Changing

You know you want to spend the rest of your life with him, but have you thought if you want to spend the rest of your life introducing yourself as Mrs. Jones instead of Ms. Smith?

For some, the thought of changing their last name can bring on a headache. According to Brides Magazine, 87% of brides change their name to the groom's. What will you do?

There are so many options:
1. Keep your name.
2. Take the groom's name.
3. Hyphenate your name.
4. Take his name, but keep your surname as a middle name.
5. Creating a new last name that you both take.

Check out bridelaw.com for a free name-change kit.

*Source: Brides Magazine, May/June 2008.

Photo courtesy of The Memory Journalists

Cloud Nine - Yours, Mine and Ours

Yours, Mine and Ours--If you didn't live together before you could possibly find moving in together a little challenging. Not just because you are now living with another human with their own thoughts, ideas and how to do things but that human comes with all that stuff! It can be difficult to combine your things and his things and then you get to add in all that stuff you got for your wedding. Just remember compromise is the key to happiness. Start out by cataloging what you both are bringing to the table. See what you have doubles of and put those things aside. Anything that you don't have multiples of keep for the time being. You can go back and take a look at all the stuff you keep in six months. If you haven't used it, give it away. Once you've created your mutiples pile start going through that. Keep which ever one is newer, in better shape, etc. If you do this before you actually get married go through this process again, once you receive your wedding gifts. By going through your things fairly you can avoid those silly little fights that we all stumble into. And you will get rid of Yours and Mine and it will all be Ours.

Photo courtesy of Sarah Maren Photography

Cloud Nine - Words to Live By, Part 3

Part 3:Live for Today.

Perhaps the most significant of all: live for the moment that is before you. Like the age old saying, ‘never put off until tomorrow what you can do today.’ None of us are guaranteed the dawning of a new day. Don’'t waste time staying angry or upset. Don'’t put off spending special time with your spouse and your family. Don’'t delay ‘date night’ until you can afford/make time/make arrangements for the perfect date, the ideal romantic evening, or the long awaited vacation. Make the most of each moment and tell your spouse daily how much you love and cherish them. You know how much you love your husband —commit daily to make sure that HE knows it well. Take time each and every day to connect with each other, make time that is just for you to talk about your day and your feelings. Literally live each day as if it were your last so that each moment is absorbed in the now. By waking up every morning with the commitment to make the most out of the day that is before you and the relationships that you have, you will never wake up tomorrow with heartache or regret for what might have been, never have to wonder how you grew so far apart.

Photo courtesy of Sarah Maren Photography

Cloud Nine - Words to Live By

Words to Live By...Learn from the Past...Plan for the Future...Live for Today.

Part 2: Plan for the Future. There are a thousand tomorrow’s on your horizon, it is natural to want to be prepared. Create a nest egg. Plan for retirement. Commit to investing in your future by having adequate savings. Prepare to buy a home and pay off debt. Discuss your future often— when you want children, how many you want, how you plan to provide for them (will you be footing the bill for college, new cars, etc.?) Discuss were you see yourself living in 5 years, 10 years, and what your ideal life looks like. Mapping out the future won’t assure that it will unfold just as you have planned, but it will keep you from being caught unprepared. Communicating about future expectations now will ensure that you are already on the same page and ready to go when tomorrow inevitably turns in to today.

Photo courtesy of The Memory Journalists