Life can be full of lemons. Here's a lemon that I used to make lemonade to help others.

1. MAKING LEMONADE OUT OF
LEMONS
CHRISTINE HONEYGOSKY
SEPTEMBER 8, 2014

2. WHAT’S YOUR ORGANIZATIONAL STYLE?

3. WHICH ONE ARE YOU?
THE “ORGANIZED” ONE – A.K.A.: ME
• KNOWS USERNAMES AND PASSWORDS FOR
WEBSITES THE FAMILY USES.
• KNOWS THE DUE DATES FOR KEY HOUSEHOLD BILLS
• MORTGAGE
• CAR PAYMENTS
• INSURANCE
• UTILITIES

4. WHICH ONE ARE YOU?
THE “TOURIST” - A.K.A.: MY HUSBAND
• BLISSFULLY UNAWARE AND ENJOYING THE SCENERY
• HAS NO CLUE AND PROBABLY DOESN’T WANT TO!

5. MY STORY
• THE AMERICAN DREAM!!!!
• MARRIED
• YOUNG CHILDREN – 4 AND 9 MONTHS
• HIGH PAYING, STRESS-FILLED JOB
• TRAVELING 1 WEEK PER MONTH
• CONSUMMATE “PLATE SPINNER”

6. ILLNESS STRIKES
• HUSBAND HAS STAGE III COLON CANCER
• ANOTHER PLATE TO SPIN
• CHEMO, RADIATION, HOSPITALS, DOCTORS
• PROGNOSIS - BAD
• LIFE MUST GO ON – NEW DEFINITION OF NORMAL LIFE
• DIAGNOSIS BECOMES A TEACHING TOOL
• ADDED TO OUR ROUTINE
• HIGH PAYING, STRESS-FILLED JOB
• STILL TRAVELING 1 WEEK PER MONTH

7. AND THEN . . . FATE
INTERVENES
• SEPTEMBER 10, 2001 IN BOSTON FOR BUSINESS
TRIP
• LEAVING NEXT DAY FOR LOS ANGELES ON
AMERICAN FLIGHT 11
• OVERSLEPT AND MISSED THE FLIGHT
• IN THE SEVERAL DAYS IT TOOK FOR ME TO GET
BACK TO COLUMBUS I WENT INTO FULL ON
WORRY MODE

8. “
”
EVERYTHING TAKES A BACKSEAT WHEN A
MEDICAL EMERGENCY, DEATH OR DISASTER
STRIKES
IN THE 3 DAYS THAT IT TOOK FOR ME TO GET HOME FROM BOSTON, I WONDERED:
HOW QUICKLY COULD MY SICK “TOURIST” HUSBAND,
HAVE BECOME THE “ORGANIZED ONE” HAD I BEEN ON THE PLANE?
I BEGAN TO WORRY . . . .

9. IS MY FAMILY PREPARED . . . WHEN LIFE
HAPPENS?

10. THE ANSWER?
HAD I BEEN ON THAT PLANE, MY HUSBAND WOULD HAVE BEEN “UP THE CREEK” ON
MANY LEVELS:
1) HE WAS VERY ILL
2) HE WOULD HAVE HAD TO CARE FOR OUR CHILDREN ALONE
3) HE HAD NO CLUE ABOUT OUR FINANCES
WITH HIM PROTESTING ALL THE WAY, I SAT HIM DOWN AND SHOWED HIM WHERE
THINGS WERE
1) I WOULD STILL BE TAKING CARE OF OUR FINANCES
2) OUR ROLES DIDN’T CHANGE
3) HAVING THIS TALK GAVE ME SOME PEACE OF MIND

11. ORGANIZATION AND REGULAR REVIEW ARE
CRITICAL
• A SYSTEM THAT WAS EASILY UNDERSTOOD, AND SIMPLE TO UPDATE AND
MAINTAIN.
• KEY TO A STRESS FREE LIFE.
• HOW QUICKLY CAN YOU OR A LOVED ONE ACCESS THE CURRENT
INFORMATION?
• HAVE YOU KEPT YOUR SPOUSE OF SIGNIFICANT OTHER IN THE LOOP?
• HOW OFTEN SHOULD THINGS BE UPDATED?
• WHEN CAN I PITCH?

12. MY EXPERIENCE HELPED TO CREATE THE ICEBOX SYSTEM
• I.C.E. MEANS IN CASE OF EMERGENCY
• ICEBOX WAS CREATED TO PROVIDE CLARITY FOR FAMILIES IN THE EVENT OF
A MEDICAL EMERGENCY, DEATH OR DISASTER
• WHEN A LIFE ALTERING EVENT OCCURS, THERE’S NO TIME TO HUNT FOR
IMPORTANT PAPERWORK
• IT GIVES USERS THE POWER TO INFORM DOCTORS ABOUT A FAMILY
MEMBERS’ MEDICATIONS, PROVIDES IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS AND
CONTACTS, AND ALLOWS FOR EASY ACCESSIBILITY TO VALUABLE
DOCUMENTS
• IT’S A COMPLETE ORGANIZATIONAL SYSTEM DESIGNED TO PROVIDE PEACE
OF MIND WHEN IT’S NEEDED THE MOST

13. BREAKING IT DOWN
• IT CAN BE DIFFICULT TO COMPARTMENTALIZE OUR LIVES.
• MUCH EASIER TO GET ORGANIZED IF IT’S DONE IN SEGMENTS.
• HOW OFTEN SHOULD WE REVIEW AND REVISE?
• HOW LONG ARE WE SUPPOSED TO KEEP IMPORTANT PAPERS?

14. MEDICAL INFORMATION
• PERSONAL AND FAMILY MEDICAL HISTORY
• LIVING WILL
• MEDICAL POWER OF ATTORNEY
• EMERGENCY CONTACT LIST

15. MEDICAL HISTORY
• SEPARATE LISTS FOR EACH MEMBER OF THE FAMILY
• DON’T FORGET MINOR CHILDREN
• BE SURE TO INCLUDE THEIR IMMUNIZATION RECORDS
• LIST SHOULD INCLUDE HOSPITALIZATIONS AND
SURGERIES IN THE LAST 5 YEARS
• LIST ALL ALLERGIES
• LIST ALL CURRENT MEDICATIONS
• OVER-THE-COUNTER
• PRESCRIPTIONS
• INCLUDE DOSAGES AND FREQUENCY
• VERY IMPORTANT TO KEEP THIS CURRENT

16. LIVING WILL AND MEDICAL POWER OF
ATTORNEY
• THESE ARE SIMILAR DOCUMENTS THAT WORK IN CONCERT WITH EACH
OTHER
• LIVING WILL – DESCRIBES AND INSTRUCTS HOW THE PERSON WANTS END-OF-LIFE
CARE MANAGED. IT TAKES EFFECT WHEN THE PATIENT IS TERMINALLY ILL OR IS IN A
PERMANENT VEGETATIVE STATE
• MEDICAL POWER OF ATTORNEY – GIVES A DESIGNATED PERSON THE AUTHORITY
TO MAKE HEALTH CARE DECISIONS ON BEHALF OF THE PERSON. IT TAKES EFFECT
WHEN THE PATIENT IS TEMPORARILY UNCONSCIOUS.
• EACH ADULT FAMILY MEMBER NEEDS TO HAVE THEIR OWN LIVING WILL AND
MEDICAL POWER OF ATTORNEY
• DON’T FORGET HIPAA PRIVACY RELEASE FOR COLLEGE BOUND CHILDREN

17. EMERGENCY CONTACTS
• WE RECOMMEND HAVING 3 EMERGENCY CONTACTS WITH CURRENT PHONE
NUMBERS
• EACH FAMILY MEMBER NEEDS TO HAVE THEIR OWN EMERGENCY CONTACT
LIST

18. MEDICAL INFO: WHEN TO UPDATE AND WHEN TO
PITCH
• PERSONAL AND FAMILY MEDICAL HISTORY
• UPDATE WHEN NEEDED – NEW MEDICATIONS, NEW SURGERY, NEW DIAGNOSIS,
ETC.
• LIVING WILL AND MEDICAL POWER OF ATTORNEY
• REVIEW AND UPDATE WHEN NECESSARY
• IF YOU WANT TO CHANGE YOUR AGENT FOR HEALTH CARE
• IF YOU WANT TO MAKE ANY SITUATIONAL ALTERATIONS
• HEALTH INSURANCE
• DO YOU HAVE THE MOST RECENT HEALTH INSURANCE CARD IN YOUR WALLET?
• SHRED AND DISCARD THE OLD CARD
• EMERGENCY CONTACT LIST
• EACH PERSON SHOULD HAVE 3 EMERGENCY CONTACT LISTS
• MAKE SURE PHONE NUMBERS ARE UPDATED
• MAKE INDIVIDUAL LISTS FOR EACH FAMILY MEMBER

19. ESTATE & INSURANCE
• WILL
• ESTATE PLAN
• DURABLE POWER OF ATTORNEY
• LIFE INSURANCE POLICIES
• ADDITIONAL INSURANCE POLICIES

20. ESTATE & INSURANCE: WHEN TO UPDATE AND WHEN
TO PITCH
• WILL
• SHOULD BE REVIEWED WITH YOUR ATTORNEY EVERY 3 YEARS OR WHEN A LIFE ALTERING EVENT
OCCURS
• IMPORTANT FOR BOTH SPOUSES TO HAVE
• DON’T FORGET ABOUT COLLEGE-AGED CHILDREN
• DURABLE POWER OF ATTORNEY
• SHOULD BE REVIEWED WITH YOUR ATTORNEY EVERY 3 YEARS OR WHEN A LIFE ALTERING EVENT
OCCURS
• IMPORTANT FOR BOTH SPOUSES TO HAVE
• DON’T FORGET ABOUT COLLEGE-AGED CHILDREN
• LIFE, P&C, AUTO AND OTHER INSURANCE POLICIES
• SHOULD BE REVIEWED WITH YOUR INSURANCE AGENT EVERY 3 YEARS OR WHEN A LIFE ALTERING
EVENT OCCURS
• IMPORTANT FOR BOTH SPOUSES TO HAVE
• DON’T FORGET ABOUT COLLEGE-AGED CHILDREN

21. BANKING & INVESTMENTS
• LIST OF BANK ACCOUNTS – SAVINGS, CHECKING,
MONEY MARKET
• INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ACCOUNTS
• 401(K) ACCOUNTS
• PENSION DOCUMENTS
• ANNUITY CONTRACTS
• STOCK CERTIFICATES, SAVINGS BONDS AND
BROKERAGE ACCOUNTS

22. BANKING & INVESTMENTS: WHEN TO UPDATE AND WHEN
TO PITCH
• TAX RETURNS AND SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS
• ANYTHING TO DO WITH TAXES SHOULD BE KEPT AT LEAST SEVEN YEARS
• RETIREMENT PLAN STATEMENTS
• KEEP QUARTERLY STATEMENTS UNTIL YOU RECEIVE THE ANNUAL SUMMARY
• KEEP ANNUAL SUMMARIES UNTIL ACCOUNT IS CLOSED
• IRA CONTRIBUTIONS
• IF YOU MADE AN AFTER-TAX CONTRIBUTION TO AN IRA, YOU WILL NEED TO KEEP YOUR
RECORDS INDEFINITELY TO PROVE THAT YOU ALREADY PAID TAX ON THE MONEY WHEN
IT’S TIME TO MAKE A WITHDRAWAL
• BROKERAGE STATEMENTS, MUTUAL FUND STATEMENTS
• YOU MUST KEEP THESE UNTIL YOU SEE THE SECURITIES COVERED BY THEM TO PROVE
WHETHER YOU HAVE CAPITAL GAINS OR LOSSES FOR YOUR TAX RETURN
• IT YOU HOLD STOCKS OR BONDS FOR MANY YOURS, YOU WILL NEED TO KEEP THE
STATEMENTS
• KEEP QUARTERLY STATEMENTS UNTIL YOU RECEIVE THE ANNUAL SUMMARY
• KEEP ANNUAL SUMMARIES UNTIL THE ACCOUNT IS CLOSED

23. BANKING & INVESTMENTS: WHEN TO UPDATE AND WHEN
TO PITCH
• CHECKING & SAVINGS ACCOUNT STATEMENTS
• RULE OF THUMB IS TO SAVE LAST 3 YEARS IN CASE OF AN AUDIT
• IF POSSIBLE, GO PAPERLESS
• MOST BANKS HAVE AN ONLINE STATEMENT ARCHIVE FEATHER
• CREDIT CARD RECEIPTS & STATEMENTS
• KEEP ORIGINAL RECEIPTS UNTIL YOUR STATEMENT COMES AND THEN MATCH THEM UP
• YOU CAN THEN DISCARD THE RECEIPTS IF DESIRED
• KEEP STATEMENTS FOR 7 YEARS IF THEY DOCUMENT TAX-RELATED EXPENSES
• IF NOT TAX-RELATED EXPENSES, SHRED STATEMENTS AFTER REVIEW. MOST CREDIT
CARD COMPANIES HAVE AN ONLINE STATEMENT ARCHIVE FEATHER
• PAYCHECK STUBS
• KEEP PAYCHECK STUBS UNTIL YOU RECEIVE YOUR ANNUAL W-2 FORM FROM YOUR
EMPLOYER(S) AND MAKE SURE THE INFORMATION MATCHES
• MOST FINANCIAL AND TAX CONSULTANTS ADVISE TO RETAIN FOR 7 YEARS OR LONGER IN
CASE OF AN AUDIT

24. IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS
• HOUSING, LAND AND CEMETERY DEED INFORMATION
• ESCROW MORTGAGE ACCOUNTS
• VEHICLE TITLES
• PARTNERSHIP AND CORPORATE OPERATING
AGREEMENTS
• LIST OF ALL WEBSITE USERNAMES AND PASSWORDS

25. IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS: WHEN TO UPDATE AND WHEN
TO PITCH
• LIST OF ALL WEBSITE USERNAMES AND PASSWORDS
• KEEP THE LIST IN A SAFE PLACE
• BE SURE TO INCLUDE ALL SITES USED TO PAY BILLS ONLINE, MANAGEMENT FINANCIAL ACCOUNTS, ETC.
• FOR ADDED SECURITY, CHANGE PASSWORDS ON A 30, 60 OR 90 DAY BASIS
• HOUSING, LAND AND CEMETERY DEED INFORMATION
• HOUSING AND LAND DEED INFORMATION
• REALLY CRUCIAL RECORDS ARE MOST LIKELY FILED AT THE COUNTY RECORDER’S OFFICE
• RECOMMEND RETAINING YOUR STATEMENTS FOR UP TO 7 YEARS AFTER YOU SELL OR PAY OFF THE MORTGAGED
PROPERTY
• HOUSE/CONDO RECORDS
• KEEP ALL RECORDS DOCUMENTING THE PURCHASE PRICE AND THE COST OF ALL IMPROVEMENTS AS
WELL AS RECORDS OF EXPENSES INCURRED IN THE SELLING AND/OR BUYING OF THE PROPERTY FOR 7
YEARS AFTER YOU SELL IT.
• VEHICLE TITLE AND MAINTENANCE RECORDS
• KEEP IN A SAFE PLACE WHILE OWNED
• PARTNERSHIP AND CORPORATE OPERATING AGREEMENTS
• KEEP WHILE PARTNERSHIP, ETC. IS IN EFFECT
• ONCE DISSOLVED, MAINTAIN ALL PARTNERSHIP AND CORPORATE OPERATING AGREEMENTS FOR A LEAST
10 YEARS

26. CAN YOU PASS THE
TEST?
WE DEVELOPED A HANDY
CHECKLIST DESIGNED TO
GAUGE A PERSON’S
ORGANIZATIONAL STYLE!

27. THE ICEBOX SYSTEM INCLUDES
• $59.99 (PLUS APPLICABLE SALES TAX AND S&H)
• 4 SNAP SECURE, 3-RING PLASTIC ORGANIZATIONAL BINDERS FOR HEALTH,
ESTATE & INSURANCE, BANKING & INVESTMENTS AND IMPORTANT
DOCUMENTS.
• A 256MB FLASH DRIVE WITH PRE-LOADED FILLABLE FORMS COVERING
CATEGORIES INCLUDING: MEDICAL/MEDICATIONS, EMERGENCY CONTACTS,
IMPORTANT WEBSITES/PASSWORDS, CREDIT/DEBIT CARDS, ETC.
• ADD ON FEATURES AVAILABLE INCLUDING
• SECURE, PASSWORD PROTECTED AND ENCRYPTED ONLINE VAULT
• CONCIERGE SERVICE

28. FOR MORE INFORMATION
OR TO PURCHASE AN ICEBOX SYSTEM
WWW.YOURICEBOX.COM
888.877.8118|INFO@YOURICEBOX.COM
THANK YOU!