[caption id="attachment_1198" align="alignright" width="104" caption="The AZPortaVault - - the perfect storage for ALL your Vital Documents"][/caption]

Keeping in the groove for providing information pertinent to January’s being National Organization Month, I got to wondering… what IF a disaster were to occur BEFORE you had all your vital documents organized and stored in a manner that gave you quick access?  What WOULD a person do in trying to reconstruct all those destroyed or missing documents?  Since my passion is to provide you with the Vital Essentials of life, I thought this resource list would prove invaluable to you… during January’s National Organization Month,  and many years to come.

• Address Change – When you move, be sure to change your address with a few government agencies so that you’ll continue to receive mail and any government benefits at your new location.
• Bank Records – Financial tips and resources for disaster recovery.
  (.PDF | requires Adobe Acrobat Reader )
• Birth, Marriage, and Death Certificates – Get records based on the location of the birth, death, marriage, or divorce.
• Damaged Money – The Treasury Department will exchange mutilated or damaged U.S. currency.
• Document Restoration–Fire – The Library of Congress offers information on restoring fire-damaged documents and collections.
• Document Restoration–Flood – The National Archives offers information on how to care for your flood damaged photos, books, papers and more
• Drivers’ Licenses and Vehicle Registration – Find your state’s motor vehicle department to get or replace your driver’s license and register your car.
• Federal Civilian Personnel Records – Go to the National Archives for guidance on requesting personnel records for former federal civilian employees. Current federal workers can get personnel records from their Human Resources office.
• Green Card Replacement – Get instructions on how to replace a lost, stolen, or damaged permanent resident card (green card).
• Medical Information Form – The AZPortaVault contains forms where you can record medical conditions and other health information for use in an emergency situation.
• Medicare Card Replacement – How to replace a lost, stolen or damaged Medicare card
• Military Service Records – How to get copies of military service records, to prove military service or for genealogy research
• Passport – Lost or stolen passports should be reported immediately. Contact the nearest U.S. embassy or Consulate if your passport is lost or stolen overseas.
• Savings Bonds Recovery – Cash and replace lost, stolen, or destroyed bonds.
• School Records – Contact your former school, or the appropriate school district if the school has closed.
• Social Security Card Replacement – How to replace a lost or stolen Social Security card
• Tax Return – Request a copy of your federal tax return from the Internal Revenue Service

• End Procrastination!
• Priorities, my Friends.
• Accountability!
• Design a System for Maintenance.
• Letting Things Go.
• Organizing your time.
• Remember the PortaVault!

[caption id="attachment_1180" align="alignright" width="200" caption="It doesn't HAVE to be like this!"][/caption]

January is quickly drawing to a close, but I wanted to take a minute to bring your attention to the fact that this MONTH is National Organization Month and it would be a really smart course of action to wrap up all of your paperwork from 2010 within the next week or so in order to move throughout the new year with nothing on your plate but items relevant to this year.  A semblance of order gives your life much better balance.  I would like to encourage you once again to clear clutter, and give you not only the encouragement to manage this task, but offer some tips and techniques that will help you give a certain sense of finality to last year!

End Procrastination!

I think you will agree that procrastination is the number one reason we accumulate clutter!  I recently read somewhere that 92% of individuals procrastinate, with excuses that range from the length of time necessary to complete the task to how boring the process is, and that it takes time away from something more important. What I have found in life, however, is that in our humanity, we seem to find time to do the things we want to do.  What would it take for you to drop the excuses – just for a day, and create the sense of urgency that will help you make your way through the new year with a clean slate?

Priorities, my Friends.

Once you have made the decision that you will reduce or eliminate clutter, create some checklists that will not only bring a sense of order into the project, but also allows you to prioritize and establish deadlines for completion. You will feel empowered as you check the completed items from your list – and this empowerment will serve to drive you through the next task you may be disinclined to finish!

Accountability!

Keep in mind that the only thing preventing you from managing this project is… yep!  You!  Ghandi once remarked, “Seek the change you want to see.”  What he was trying to say is that at the end of the day, the changes you want can only be made by you.  If you have difficulty with being accountable for getting organized for the new year, see if your best friend will spend some time helping you, or seek a mentor or coach.  Keep the Nike motto in mind, and “Just do it!”

Design a System for Maintenance.

In the process of de-cluttering and organizing – create a system that will help you maintain a clean and organized environment.  If you don’t like filing cabinets, perhaps you can agree to organize some attractive boxes on a shelving unit that allows you to simply drop and go, with some sense of order – allowing only the things you need to be working with for each task or project to be in your workspace.  Learn to toss unwanted mail, newspapers, ads, circulars, etc. as soon as it comes into your home

Letting Things Go.

There is often no good reasoning behind why we hang onto things that no longer serve us.  I believe the motivation goes much deeper than not wanting to take time to discard items.  Make a firm commitment to yourself that as you begin your organization  project you will be willing to discard anything that is over two months old, or that you feel you will not use in the next two months.  I have found that rather than keeping tons of periodicals, I spend a few quick minutes in the table of contents deciding if there is at least one article of value – if not the magazine goes to my dentist’s office. Now is a good time to take all those business cards and scraps of paper with contact information written on them and put them in an address book or database.  If you are so inclined to still use the old fashioned Rolodex – give those babies a better home than just lying around zapping your energy!

Organizing your time.

Recognize the things that steal your time – give them a name and control them!  Organization is about facing and seeking to at least modify actions that do not best serve you.  It is not about creating perfection, but knowing how you get in your own way, and planning how you are going to diminish the frequency with which that happens.  Using day planners, calendars and checklists help you identify how you spend your time and help you create routines that help you manage your time in general, but also to block in enough time to maintain the sense of order and organization you have created.

Remember the PortaVault!

The tools with which you arm yourself will make a lot of difference in how well you can quickly get through at least one level of creating re-energizing organization in your environment.  The PortaVault will prove to be your best friend as you gather and organize your vital documents… all in one happy place, ready for retrieval when needed.  Keep in mind, when it comes to these vital documents… If you had only FIVE MINUTES to evacuate your residence would you be able to get out in time along with all your Vital Documents?

Jan Vitale… bringing you the Vital Essentials of life… Vital Enterprises, LLC

Are You Prepared… for the Unexpected?

Unless you are tucked away in some obscure mountain cabin or isolated on an island, it is next to impossible to disconnect yourself completely from the news.  In which case, it is equally next to impossible to not be aware of the disasters that seem to be happening in increasing numbers.  I did a Google search this morning, looking for disasters in the news, and found over 1200 news items.  I did that same search and asked for any information about disasters in general, and was offered up a generous serving of about 2,770,000 results.  The fact that September is Disaster Preparedness month may have something to do with the influx of items in the news… or it may be that people are finally getting realistic about the fact that the time to prepare for disasters is NOW!

Communities respond to the need…

I recently participated in a Disaster Preparedness program organized by the Mayor of Gilbert, Arizona.  Not only was it well organized, the event was well attended, which indicates that this thriving community is interested in helping people learn to take action to protect themselves and their valuables – before disaster strikes.  Those who attended the event now know and can appreciate the coordinated efforts of law enforcement, emergency medial responders, utility providers, area communication and other services who will be prepared to respond to any future disaster.  If your town or city has not held such an “awareness” event, are you personally ready to respond appropriately to a potential disaster?

Check any newspaper story, or listen again to news feed about a recent disaster, and you will be able to quickly determine whether people were prepared to react to the disaster in such a way that there was a difference between safety and injury; a difference between life and death.  Do you know what the ultimate disaster would be for your community?  Would it be an environmental disaster, such as an earthquake? Or is your geographic location one that would include hurricanes and flooding? Would you know what local agency would be considered the “first line of defense” for any particular disaster?  Where would you turn for help?

Personal responsibilities…

Despite what is being made available at a community level, it is what you do within your own family unit that is even more critical.  Being prepared for a disaster includes planning how you will take care of any elderly or disabled family members and what kind of communication network you establish so you are aware of the safety and location of each family member.  It calls for ensuring the availability of home safety and emergency medical supplies and easy to transport food and water.  It requires that you have the right information and tools that will protect your safety during a disaster.  When it comes to any kind of disaster, today’s news and yesterday’s history tell us… it is not a matter of if, it is a matter of when.  We need to be prepared because disasters always strike quickly… and without warning.

I have been in the insurance industry of over 30 years and have seen first hand the results of not being prepared – from not having managed secure access to your vital documents to not having a fire evacuation plan, and a myriad of profoundly sad “endings” that being prepared would have prevented.  Viewing these events has made me passionate about participating in increasing the awareness of disaster preparedness and providing resources to allow for being prepared.  If you are looking for one resource where you can find vital information, you are encouraged to visit Vital Enterprises, LLC – new items are being added frequently and consistently.  If you are not prepared for disaster… would a good time to start be NOW?

I have provided insurance products to clients for the better part of my adult life. It is only natural that I am now as passionate about providing information to help others understand the devastation that comes with certain life events, and help them embrace a responsible position of being prepared – a preparedness that minimizes potential tragedy at many levels.

Disaster Preparedness… are YOU prepared?

It seems the news is filled with some new disaster being faced some where … every day. I don’t recall this being the case when I was growing up, but I think I have come to the realization that many natural disasters occurred, but were not given the national attention that is now possible through the media and the Internet.

However, since we are now made more aware of these tragic events, we can also be better prepared, for example, by having a Basic Emergency Supply Kit.

Copy this off, modify it to meet the needs of your family, print it and collect and keep the items in an easy-to-access location.

□ Water: One gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation.
□ Food: At least a three-day supply of non-perishable goods.
□ Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert – and extra batteries for both.
□ Heavy-duty flashlight and extra batteries.
□ First aid kit.
□ Large whistle – to signal for help.
□ Dust masks, to help filter contaminated air – and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place.
□ Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation.
□ Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities.
□ Can opener for food – if your food supplies contain canned foods.
□ Local maps.

You might want to consider having two emergency kits: a full one at home – sealed in a large plastic container, and another smaller one to keep in your workplace or vehicle.

Personal Items to Consider Adding:
□ Prescription medications and glasses.
□ Infant formula and diapers.
□ Pet food and extra water for your pet.
□ Important family documents such as insurance policies, personal identification, and bank account records in a waterproof, portable container.
□ Cash or traveler’s checks and change.
□ Emergency reference material, such as a first aid book – this kind of information can be found at www.ready.gov
□ Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person. Consider adding more bedding if you life in a cold-weather climate.
□ Complete change of clothing, including a long sleeved shirt, long pants and sturdy shoes. Consider additional clothing if you live in a cold-weather climate.
□ Household chlorine bleach and a medicine dropper. When diluted – nine parts water to one part bleach – it can be used as a disinfectant. In an emergency, you can use it to treat water, by using 16 drops of regular household liquid bleach per gallon of water. Do not use scented, color safe, or bleach with added cleaners.
□ Fire Extinguisher.
□ Matches in a waterproof container.
□ Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items.
□ Mess kits, paper cups, plates and plastic utensils and paper towels.
□ Paper and pencils.
□ Books, games, puzzles, and other activities (for children)

U.S. Department of Homeland Security

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has taken a strong position in educating and empowering Americans to take the steps necessary to prepare and respond to potential emergencies… unfortunately, these now include the threat of terrorist attacks. Being prepare requires that you do three simple things:

1. Create your emergency supply kit.
2. Make a family emergency plan and share that periodically with your family members.
3. Be informed about the various types of disasters and emergencies and know how to appropriately respond to each of them.

Thank you for taking time to be aware. I trust you will see the importance of using this information – not just reading it! On my website you will find many Disaster Preparedness resources, for example, the PortaVault the perfect storage for your Vital Documents, allowing you to quickly grab the protective container – taking all your important information with you in less than five minutes.

Please feel free to subscribe (RSS) to this blog so that you might continue to educate yourself on the many, varied aspects of Disaster Preparedness and being prepared to protect your family in any emergency.

Jan Vitale, your Investment Protector
Vital Enterprises, LLC
Bringing you experience, wisdom and choices in protecting all things valuable to you…

As I watched a YouTube video this morning about the flooding in Nashville, it struck me once again why I am so passionate about my AZPortaVault product – and how I participate in protecting others from being devastated by the loss of their vital documents. If you have ever visited my website, you will know that as an Insurance Agent for close to 30 years, I have seen it all happen, and I know, first hand that NOT ONE OF US is exempt from experiencing a significant catastrophic occurrence in our lifetime.

Let me ask you a really serious question, “What have you done to protect yourself in the potential loss of your vital documents? If you have ever had a wallet lost or stolen, you have experienced the nightmare that is to resolve protecting yourself from identity theft and replacement of vital documents. Can you imagine what it would be like if you didn’t have your items all together and had to quickly evacuate your home? The time, the cost, the emotional burden?

I am about being proactive and being personally responsible for your life choices; I am also about solutions and resources that I can provide those who support my own professional success. It is with that thought in mind that I went in search of a resource that you can access in that same process of being proactive in knowing what to do if/when disaster may strike you and your family. I hope you will be somewhat relieved to know that fortunately, most important personal records can be replaced. Depending on the document you need, use these links as a starting point.

Note: This is one of those resources where I am taking it direct from its source and giving full credit to its creator – being, in essence, the vehicle by which you are made aware and your life can be positively impacted by my spirit of belief and my spirit of generosity…

• Address Change – When you move, be sure to change your address with a few government agencies so that you’ll continue to receive mail and any government benefits at your new location.
• Bank Records – Financial tips and resources for disaster recovery. (.PDF | requires Adobe Acrobat Reader )
• Birth, Marriage, and Death Certificates – Get records based on the location of the birth, death, marriage, or divorce.
• Damaged Money – The Treasury Department will exchange mutilated or damaged U.S. currency.
• Document Restoration–Fire – The Library of Congress offers information on restoring fire-damaged documents and collections.
• Document Restoration–Flood – The National Archives offers information on how to care for your flood damaged photos, books, papers and more
• Drivers’ Licenses and Vehicle Registration – Find your state’s motor vehicle department to get or replace your driver’s license and register your car.
• Federal Civilian Personnel Records – Go to the National Archives for guidance on requesting personnel records for former federal civilian employees. Current federal workers can get personnel records from their Human Resources office.
• Green Card Replacement – Get instructions on how to replace a lost, stolen, or damaged permanent resident card (green card).
• Medical Information Form – Download a form where you can record medical conditions and other health information for use in an emergency situation.
• Medicare Card Replacement – How to replace a lost, stolen or damaged Medicare card
• Military Service Records – How to get copies of military service records, to prove military service or for genealogy research
• Passport – Lost or stolen passports should be reported immediately. Contact the nearest U.S. embassy or Consulate if your passport is lost or stolen overseas.
• Savings Bonds Recovery – Cash and replace lost, stolen, or destroyed bonds.
• School Records – Contact your former school, or the appropriate school district if the school has closed.
• Social Security Card Replacement – How to replace a lost or stolen Social Security card
• Tax Return – Request a copy of your federal tax return from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

SOURCE: http://www.usa.gov/Citizen/Topics/Family_Issues/Vital_Docs.shtm

Thank you in advance for being proactive about this information – I would that you spend more of your time enjoying life than being frantic about some unforeseen loss.

Jan Vitale… your investment protector

Vital Enterprises, LLC - – where you can always find great tips, tools and resources about nutrition, vital document storage, disaster preparedness, identity theft, network marketing, networking, and travel…