12 – Get Smarter About The Basics

Topic 12 advises you to acquire the tools you’ll need for solo living and
being a survivor.

Become smarter about the basics—particularly if your spouse or partner
currently has the primary responsibility for household finances. Let’s not
compound the stress that follows the death of a loving companion by
being ill-prepared to take control of the day-to-day management of
your financial life.

Checklist

Become sufficiently familiar with basic financial concepts so that you can understand and evaluate the advice you are getting from your trusted advisors
Understand where the money is—and where it goes
Engage your spouse or partner in financial management and decision-making
Promote financial education and responsibility in your children