Disaster-Proof Your Finances: What to Do Before Crisis Hits with Susan Olson

When a natural disaster strikes, the emotional and financial toll can be overwhelming, especially if you're unprepared. In this episode, Mary Beth and Neela are joined by Abacus financial advisor Susan Olson, CFP®, who shares practical steps you can take to safeguard your finances.

Drawing from her experience working with clients impacted by wildfires, Susan breaks down what you can do before disaster hits, from reviewing your insurance coverage and documenting your belongings, to building an emergency fund and creating an evacuation plan.

If you’ve been meaning to prepare but don’t know where to begin, this episode can give you the tools and motivation to start.

For additional resources, information, and a full transcript of the episode, visit our website. To access our podcast disclosure information, visit this page.

 

What You’ll Learn in this Episode:

• Things to consider when reviewing and updating your insurance coverage
• The importance of building a household emergency fund
• Suggestions for creating evacuation plans (yes, even for pets and children's toys!)
• Tips for digitizing your documents and organizing your accounts
• How you can involve your kids and greater community in preparedness efforts
• The power of the “do just one thing” approach to getting started

 

Resources Mentioned:

• Ready.gov disaster preparedness information and downloadable Emergency Supply Checklists
• Abacus Pro-Bono Financial Planning Services
• My Financial Life in a Binder PDF 

 

Stay Connected:

• Subscribe to the If Money Were Easy newsletter
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• Connect with Mary Beth on Instagram and on LinkedIn 
• Connect with Neela on .css-j9qmi7{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;font-weight:700;margin-bottom:1rem;margin-top:2.8rem;width:100%;-webkit-box-pack:start;-ms-flex-pack:start;-webkit-justify-content:start;justify-content:start;padding-left:5rem;}@media only screen and (max-width: 599px){.css-j9qmi7{padding-left:0;-webkit-box-pack:center;-ms-flex-pack:center;-webkit-justify-content:center;justify-content:center;}}.css-j9qmi7 svg{fill:#27292D;}.css-j9qmi7 .eagfbvw0{-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;color:#27292D;}