The most common question I get about the building an important documents grab and go binder is “How do I put my binder together?” Or “What ‘stuff’ do I need to put create my binder?” (or something similar).
Well, this post is all about what products I recommend and where I get them. Let me know if you still have questions!
(You can click on the links to be taken to the product on Amazon (affiliate) with free Prime shipping)
 
BUILDING YOUR BINDER:
1 – Good: Do it Yourself (least expensive): $20-ish
- A simple hard cover 1″ Binder -$2 – $3
- 25+ Sheet protectors for documents / ID Forms etc (depending on how you organize your documents, you may need more or less) – $5-$10
- Business card sheets (for social security cards, credit cards, Insurance cards etc) – $5 -$7
- Photo sheets (for older and recent family pictures) – $2 -$3
- Tabbed Dividers for various sections: $3-$4
2 – Better: Do it Yourself with upgrades: $90-ish
- A larger 2″-3″zippered binder (so that nothing falls out) – $30 – $40
- 10-20 Regular sheet protectors – $3-$5
- 10-20 Sheet protectors that close (to keep important documents more secure. These are great for the ID forms with documents in same “pocket“) – $15 – $30
- Small and large zippered pouches (for items like passports, immunization records etc) – $10-$20 (could vary even more depending on how many you buy)
- Business card sheets (for social security cards, credit cards, Insurance cards etc) – $5 -$7
- Photo sheets (for older and recent family pictures) – $2 -$3
- Tabbed Dividers for various sections: $3-$4
3 – Best: The Prepare My Life Planner: $119.95
This planner is fantastic. I used my small (“good” option above) homemade binder for years and did okay, but this binder has been a very welcome upgrade! Everything (except filling in the forms) is done for you. It comes all put together and is more complete (I believe) than any binder you could actually create on your own. It isn’t just a grab and go binder. It is an actual emergency planner system. It comes with:
- A large, zippered binder with a handle and multiple pockets, calculator, various pouches, pen and small lock.
- High quality sheet protectors (all sizes, some with velcro tops)
- High quality emergency information forms (many more than in the Simply Prepared printable)
- Tabbed dividers with helpful emergency info / instructions printed on long lasting glossy cardstock.
- Access to re-print all forms anytime you need to update / change information
- Instructions, checklists and step by step systems for preparing your home for emergency, gathering supplies, evacuating and gathering all your documents (personal, insurance, financial, assets, final planning)
- CD for home picture inventory
- And More!
Other Product Suggestions:
A Safe
I suggest keeping your binder in a safe:
- The SentrySafe CHW20221 safe is fireproof / waterproof and will hold and 8×11 binder / documents
- The SentrySafe x055Â can be bolted to the wall / floor and will fit 8 x 11 binders / documents
- The SentrySafe X075Â can be bolted to the wall / floor and will fit a larger zippered binder
Digital Copies
I highly suggest that in addition to your simply prepared binder, you keep an electronic copy of all your files, documents and pictures (everything in your binder). I use carbonite for all files on my computer. I have had to recover files from them before and have been very pleased with their system / service. You can try Carbonite for free HERE. And if you use that link, you will get a $20 gift card when (and if) you sign up.
In addition to free shipping, if you have Amazon Prime, you have secure unlimited photo storage.  You can add your photos from your PC, Mac, or mobile device and then access them on all devices as well. This is a great way to quickly and easily preserve family memories! I’ve found Amazon Prime to be well worth the money (free 2 day shipping, free instant videos, access to lots of free music, early access to lightening deals, extra discounts on “mom” items etc)
Another service I love is Dashlane. It is free (yay!) and they will securely store your passwords and financial information. They will even autofill forms for you! (name, address, phone number etc). They don’t have access to your information at all, only you do (with one super secure password). It is the most secure password system I’ve found. Plus, it syncs across all your devices. It has saved me SO much time while at the same time allowing me to create unique, difficult passwords for all my accounts (without having to remember them). I really do love their service!
Becky is a wildlife enthusiast and pet and livestock care expert with a diploma in canine nutrition. With over a decade of experience in animal welfare, Becky lends her expertise to Simple Family Preparedness through insightful info about pets, livestock, bee keeping, and the practicalities of homesteading.
I signed up (which I didn’t want to do, but I had to if I wanted the printables), but the email that was sent did not include a password. The link I followed from the email requires a password. Can I get a way to get the free printables, or should I look elsewhere? I’m really sick, and I can’t spend a ton of time on this right now. Thanks for any help you can give.
DEAR MISTY,
I AM NEW TO PREPPING AND STUMBLED UPON YOU AND YOUR WEB SITE. I LOVE THE PREPARE MY LIFE PLANNER. I HAVE DOWNLOADED THE FREE FORMS, HOWEVER I THINK I AM ASKING FOR THIS PRE-PREPARED FOR CHRISTMAS AS A GIFT. SEEMS YOU HAVE THOUGHT OF EVERYTHING. I HAVE ONLY ONE QUESTION FOR YOU…..CAN I PURCHASE ADDITIONAL SUPPLIES TO ADD TO THIS BINDER? SUCH AS THE PROTECTORS WITH SECURED CLASP? INSTEAD OF THE REGULAR ONES?
THANKS SO MUCH FOR ALL THE WORK YOU HAVE DONE TO HELP OTHERS, YOU TRULY ARE AN ANGEL, AS MOST OF US DO NOT EVER THINK OF THESE THINGS.
I’m so glad you’ve found it helpful Anna! As for purchasing extra supplies, I don’t sell those, but you can find them on Amazon (which is where I get mine). You can click on any of the links on this post to get over to Amazon and then search for what you are looking for. I hope that helps!
Misty, thanks so much for all this information! I’m leaning toward the Prepare My Life Planner but I’d like to know the dimensions of the actual binder itself and I can’t find that info anywhere. I already have a fireproof/waterproof safe so want to make sure this binder will fit. Can you give me the dimensions please? Thanks so much.
Of course! It is 13.5″ x 13″ x 2 1/4″.
Thanks for the quick answer, Misty!
I believe dehydrating your food is the best option. It makes the food light and easy to take on the go. It preserves the food for healthy eating making easy work for you and light on the resources to get a finished product. If you can stay at home, of course canned food is best. Some things are cheaper to buy already canned like tuna and other items are best made from scratch like soups. With canning, you control what goes into the food you eat. I would have to say freezing is the last of the options for food storage. I would only count on the food you freeze for short term/ non emergency purposes. I am working on not having more in my freezer than I can eat in a month. That way if the power is out, I am not out a ton of money when it all thaws.
Thanks for all your hard work you have put into all you have done. This is my first visit to your site but I will be back. I have also referred your site to a friend. Thanks again. Theresa
Hello Misty my name is Joyce I’m new this I like this idea keeping your important paper together. Which one do you like the best dashlane or carbonite secure like I say I’m new. Look forward to hearing from you soon thank you.
I only use carbonite to backup my hard drive and I love it for that purpose. I was unaware they had a password program like Dashlane, so I can’t really compare the two since I’ve not used Carbonite for that reason. But I’ve been very happy with Dashlane’s password service!
I am new, BUT I POSITIVELY LOVE THIS SITE!!! I want to know one thing. WHERE CAN I FIND ALL THE PRINTABLES I HAVE MISSED (FROM THE PAST)????
Christine, since you signed up for the weekly tips and printables list, you will get them all in those weekly emails!
Do you recommend keeping copies in your binder, and the originals somewhere like a safe deposit box? Or do you suggest carrying around the originals with you. Thank you for all this great information!
I think it depends on what you are preparing for (what might make you need the documents). But I’d lean toward keeping the originals at a relative’s home (or in a safe deposit box) and just carrying the copies with me.
It looks like you’ve thought of just about everything. Living in Colorado and with our recent wildfires, this has become a priority to me. And yes, I’ll tell my friends. Thank you!
Barbara L. in Colorado Springs, CO
Barbara, thank you for the kind comment and for sharing!
Thank you so much! I am very impressed with the preparedness binder sheets. I will look forward to your newsletters and I am grateful for your knowledge.
Yay! I’m so glad you’ve found things helpful. I’m glad to have you here!
I just spend $65 on the Sentry Safe you linked too (X075) and after receiving it, found out is NOT fireproof and waterproof as you suggest. There are holes in the back for mounting, so unless I am missing something, there is no way it is either fireproof or waterproof. Very upset! Now we have to send it back to Amazon and shipping for something that heavy will not be cheap! Hopefully you will correct that information.
I”m so sorry Danelle! The one I have is fine and it lists on Amazon that it is fireproof and waterproof. But Amazon is great with returns. When you go to process the return just make sure that you mark that it wasn’t as listed (or similar) and re-package it in the same packaging it came in and they will handle the return shipping.
I will go dig further into it as I haven’t had anyone else (in 5 years now of this post being up) that has had this issue. Maybe something has changed recently. Again, I apologize for the trouble!
This is what I see on Amazon:
ETL Verified for 1/2-hour fire protection of digital media up to 1550 F/83 C in the event of a fire
UL Classified Explosion Hazard test: Subjected to a flash fire in a 2000 F furnace for 20 minutes
ETL Verified for water submersion to protect valuable items and documents from flood damage
So you should not have to pay for that return!
But it looks like the two larger ones no longer have that information listed. I will certainly update the post!
Ihave to say this is the best site I have seen (and I have seen a few) for information, organization and sharing. I admire you for freely sharing so much information in a form that can be easily accessed. You are a shining example!
Thank you very much!
Oh my Barbara, what a kind thing to say! You made my day! Thank you for taking the time to comment.