Episode 301

full
Published on:

15th May 2024

Creating a Personal Property Inventory for Homeowners: Tips and Benefits

About the Guest(s):

Liz Zemak is an experienced financial advisor and homeowner. With a background in personal finance and a passion for helping others, Liz has dedicated her career to educating individuals on the importance of financial planning and homeownership. She has successfully navigated the challenges of building a home and has firsthand experience with needing a personal property inventory. Liz is committed to empowering others to take control of their finances and protect their assets.

Episode Summary:

In this episode of Money Roots, Liz Zemak discusses the importance of creating a personal property inventory. She shares her own experience of having her tools stolen during the construction of her home and emphasizes the need for proper documentation when filing an insurance claim. Liz provides practical tips on how to get started with a home inventory, including listing items room by room, capturing detailed information such as purchase date and cost, and taking photos or videos of valuable items. She also highlights the benefits of maintaining an up-to-date inventory, such as accurate insurance coverage and estate planning. Liz emphasizes the importance of revisiting the inventory regularly and keeping it secure.

Key Takeaways:

  • Creating a personal property inventory is crucial in the event of a loss or damage to your belongings.
  • The burden of proof is on the property owner when filing an insurance claim, so having a detailed inventory is essential.
  • Start by picking an easy spot to begin, such as a room with valuable items, and list everything in that room with as much detail as possible.
  • Include purchase date, cost, make, model, and serial numbers for items that have them.
  • Take photos or videos of each item, including the model and serial numbers, and keep receipts and appraisals with the inventory.
  • Store the inventory securely, either in a safe, a safe deposit box, or with a trusted contact.
  • Regularly update the inventory and review your insurance coverage to ensure you are adequately protected.
  • A personal property inventory can also be useful for financial planning and estate planning purposes.

Notable Quotes:

  • "The burden of proof is on the property owner, not the insurance company. So you're gonna have to have something to present to the insurance company to say that these are the items that I owned and, you know, that they were damaged or stolen." - Liz Zemak
  • "The more detailed you can be, the better off you're going to be when and if you need to make that claim." - Liz Zemak

Resources:

Listen to the full episode of Money Roots to learn more about the importance of creating a personal property inventory and how to get started. Stay tuned for more valuable insights and practical advice on personal finance and homeownership.

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About the Podcast

Money Roots
Money Roots with Amy Irvine
Welcome to "Money Roots," the podcast where personal finance becomes personal. Join host Amy Irvine, CEO of Rooted Planning Group, as she demystifies the world of finance and makes it approachable for everyone, from beginners to financial experts.

In each episode, Amy and her guests dig deep into the financial soil, planting the seeds of financial knowledge and helping you nurture your financial future. Whether you're looking to build a solid budget, invest wisely, or plan for retirement, "Money Roots" has you covered.

Get ready to explore practical advice, inspiring stories, and expert insights that will empower you to take control of your financial destiny. It's time to grow your money roots and thrive financially!

Subscribe to "Money Roots" now and join Amy on this exciting journey to financial empowerment. Let's put down some roots and flourish together.

About your host

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Amy Irvine

Uncorking Amy Irvine!!

If any of you have ever met Amy, you know she is passionate about
three things. Family, Finances, and WINE! This comes through in all
that she does and all that she is. When asked to describe herself she first and foremost states, “I am a wife, a daughter, and hopefully a good friend, who happens to also be a financial planner.” Amy holds a Master’s Degree in financial planning and is a Certified Financial Planner TM , Enrolled Agent, Certified College Financial Consultant, and a Financial Wellness Coach with over 25 years of financial planning and industry experience. She is the Founder and owner of Rooted Planning Group, (Formerly known as Irvine Wealth Planning Strategies LLC), which started in 2016 and has grown to include 6 other planners and 2 part-time staff members. Amy is definitely “doing it her way” and has been recognized by her financial planning colleagues as being a “disrupter,” a title she holds close to her heart and is proud of.

Uniquely, at the age of 44, she decided to not only start her only company, but to act on what she defined as her perfect life and she splits her time between Parrish, Florida and Jasper, New York.
On her website it states, “I love what I do, but I also very much enjoy warmth, good
conversation, wine tastings, and volunteering. New York is extraordinary in the summer and fall, but so is Florida in the winter.”
In 2018, she decided it was time to take the stigma out of finances by combining her passion for finances and wine. She started a podcast called “Wine and Dime,” which highlights a different wine and financial topic each week, and she released her book combining those same two passions, titled, “Uncork Your Finances.”
Many of you may know her as one of the co-founders of the Southern Tier Women’s Financial Conference – a day of collaboration and financial education, which will be hosting it’s sixth year!
To round out her volunteering passion, she often provides financial education to the
community through the financial management program of Cornell Cooperative Extension of Steuben County, she serves on the board of Faith-in-Action of Steuben County, volunteers for various Fund For Women of the Southern Tier events, works with the finance committee of the Arts Council of the Southern Finger Lakes, and serves on the board for the Corning Painted Post Historical Society (also known as Heritage Village).
In her downtime, you’re likely to find her with a glass of red wine from one of the many Keuka or Seneca Lake wineries that she highlights in her Wine and Dime Podcast.