Why a Life File might be the most important document you have

Could you find all your personal and financial information in the event of a family emergency?

If you visited my house this week, you would think we had suffered a burglary, or worse.

The house was chaos.

In one week:

• My wife was away working for 6 days, leaving me to look after the twins on my own. They're 3 years old. Use your imagination...

• We finally completed the purchase of our house. I paid the attorneys yet another large chunk of money...

• My brother phoned from the UK and told me that my father passed away. He was 85 but it wasn't expected...

• And on Saturday, the trusty Volvo blew up on the N2, leaving me and the girls stranded 5 km short of Caledon. In the rain...

A trip to the in-laws

Having made the assumption that I was driving to her house for the weekend - in Bredasdorp 140 kilometers away - my mother-in-law called at 10.50 to ask what time we were arriving, as she wanted to make lunch.

I was still in my pyjamas.

The girls were busy undoing my efforts to tidy the lounge for the third time that day, and were colouring-in the floor tiles with crayon.

My wife called, and offered to call her mom to say I wasn't going - which would have meant an unhappy mother-in-law, and that's never good. I spent 10 minutes pondering the packing of bags and feeding of animals, and grumbling about how exhausted I was, whilst the girls continued their scribblings.

I made the decision that driving to Bredasdorp was the better option. Ouma would help with the kids, and I could have an adult conversation that wouldn't involve Bluey or Paw Patrol for the fifty seventh time this week.

And I knew, at the other end, there would be lamb saddle tjoppies and wine.

I'm easily persuaded. What can I say.

Financial pressures seem never to stop

So, I left the house in the chaotic state you see it - because that's what's it like most of the time, when you're in a blended family. Thankfully, the boys were at their mother's, but I was feeling completely overwhelmed.

That was all before the Volvo let go. The dealership said it's over R50,000 to fix it.

Good foundations

I write all of this for a couple of reasons:

Life is just harder in a blended family. If you're experiencing something similar, I see and hear you.

Mainly, I was reminded of the importance of being organised and prepared, and having our Life File up to date. And I do obsess when it comes to to being organised, and trying to remain in control.

The ultimate test for a couple's financial foundations, is when one of them dies unexpectedly.

Where are all the documents? - What are the passwords to access accounts? - Is there a valid Will? - What happens with the deceased partner's business?

We are about to find out whether my father had his financial foundations act together.

Put together a Life file

On Saturday, I got to test the benefits of having a Life File first hand.

It's not just about the death of a spouse. It's when something significant happens. My family data was available via my phone. Telephone numbers. Policy numbers. Registration numbers. My wife's ID number.

Our Life file was accessible. In the car, on the side of the road. Even though my wife wasn't.

Thankfully, It wasn't a major event, but it was stressful enough, especially with 3 year-old twins howling in the background, and my frazzled state of mind given the events of the week.

You can check whether you've got your act together with our Financial Foundations Scorecard. It's quick. It's free. And you'll get instant results and feedback.