How to Create a Financial Emergency Binder with Dr. Art Rainer

May 8, 2025

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“The prudent sees danger and hides himself, but the simple go on and suffer for it.” – Proverbs 22:3

That verse reminds us that wisdom means planning ahead, especially when it comes to life’s most serious emergencies. If something were to happen to you, would your family know how to manage the finances, pay the bills, or access important documents? Today, Dr. Art Rainer joins us to walk through how to create a financial emergency binder.

Dr. Art Rainer is the founder of the Institute for Christian Financial Health and Christian Money Solutions. He is a regular contributor here at Faith & Finance and the author of Money in the Light of Eternity: What the Bible Says about Your Financial Purpose.

Why Planning Ahead Matters

Life is full of unexpected turns, and while we trust God in all things, wisdom calls us to prepare, especially when it comes to our finances and family care.

Consider the questions every household should be able to answer:

What happens if you or your spouse is hospitalized?
Would someone know how to manage your bills and care for your children?
If you were to pass away unexpectedly, would your family know where to find your vital documents?

Sadly, many families are left overwhelmed and directionless in moments of crisis because these preparations were never made. Yet this kind of confusion can be avoided through a simple but powerful step: organizing essential information before it’s urgently needed.

The Power of an Emergency Binder

An emergency binder is a centralized location—digital and physical—where your most critical information is stored. This includes:

Financial accounts and passwords
Medical records and contacts
Insurance information
Bill due dates and utilities
Funeral wishes
Childcare instructions
And more.

Preparing an emergency binder may not feel urgent, but when the unexpected happens, it becomes priceless. Organizing your household’s key information is a tangible expression of love, wisdom, and care. It’s a simple act of stewardship that offers comfort, clarity, and care when it matters most.

How to Get Started

Creating an emergency binder might sound overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be.

Here’s a simple approach: work on one section at a time. Set aside 30 to 60 minutes a day to focus on gathering the necessary documents for each category. This bite-sized method turns a daunting project into a doable one.

And once it's complete? Print it out. A red three-ring binder is a wise choice for easy identification in an emergency. Store it in a secure, fireproof location, and ensure that your loved ones are aware of its location. It’s also wise to keep a digital backup, securely stored and shared with trusted family members.

If you’re thinking, “I wish someone would just do this for me,” you’re in luck. Art and his team have created The Essential Emergency Binder—a beautifully designed resource with over 60 pages of templates and instructions to help you get started quickly and confidently.

You can find it at EssentialEmergencyBinder.com.

On Today’s Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions:

I want to consolidate our investments. We have a pension, Social Security, Roth IRAs, a 401(k), and traditional IRAs at two different financial institutions. Is it better to have everything in one place?
I'm concerned about how my church is spending its tithe money on items like a drum set and library donations, rather than traditional ministries. Is this the right way for a church to use funds?
I've received a six-figure inheritance from my uncle in Florida, which includes checking, savings, a money market account, and a Lutheran annuity. I would like to confirm that there is no inheritance tax in Ohio. I'm considering investing the money in CDs through my bank's Certificate of Deposit (CD) program. Can you confirm the tax situation and advise me on this approach?

Resources Mentioned:

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