Thread by @gaurangsan

Thread on most important conversation s we could have at home, during this crisis -

1. Emergency funds - understanding the availability of funds which are not invested for long term goals or planned savings but for any emergencies that could occur.

+ How to access the same in case members who control them are not able to.

2. Emergency contact s - list of first port of call to family relative / close friends / medical practitioner s.

List of hospitals with Covid beds around your neighborhood with possible reference s in case any / oxygen suppliers / medicine distributors

3. Health insurance - details of all members in the family that have health insurance with the following details -

a) Insurance provider - name / policy number
b) Insurance agent - WhatsApp details
c) Sum insured / premium paid
d) Conditions covered

e) Documents needed at the point of hospitalization / testing
f) Details of what is not covered in your current insurance plan

(Don't be in a rush to change it as note not all changes can result in instant benefit - hence best to clarify)

Group health policy - which is given by your professional organisations or associations that you could be part of the same and get to know details before hand on members in your family that our covered + coverage amount + process / documents to claim the same

4. Life Insurance - important to document all the details in one place along with knowing where the original documents are kept along with life insurance agents number.

Disclaimer - this may be a very tricky conversation s given the Indian family dynamics.

5. Conversation on family 'will / inheritance plan' - it's important to ask the elders to plan for the same even if they don't share the details but a conversation on the process and whom one to speak about the same in case of on unfortunate incident 🙇‍♂️

But how to bring these up amongst complex and hierarchical family structures -

a. Prepare yourself for an uncomfortable / difficult / non responsive conversation & decide the importance of it to you personally

b. Write down points / topics you would like to have a conversation about and why they are important to you and how it can affect the family at large

c. Set a time / place you would bring them up and will accept even if you don't get the desired results in the first attempt.

d. Be respectful and promise yourself that you wouldn't let emotions drive the conversation but at all times be respectful and polite as the same might come as a shock to elders.

e. Try to find alliance s amongst other members - elder or your siblings / cousi s whom you can share your concerns as it's easier to have this conversation with the support of members who have influence in the family structures.

f. Never walk away or get upset in case the conversation doesn't go as planned as that's one way you can show case resolve and strength to have this conversation and build upon this resolve.

g. Even if the desired results are not achieved, be grateful to yourself that you took a bold decision and decided to ask the most important / hard questions that can have a significant impact to your future.

Last but not the least paitence is the most important, specially at home as we don't have conversation s based on our current state of mind but years of burden that each of carry.

Please do share if this thread has been helpful 🙏