Are you the record-keeper, or a future survivor? – Harris N. Hershey Rosen

by Harris N. Hershey Rosen, contributing author

Why? Because I Love You goes beyond books, pamphlets, and CDs on the market that offer fill-in-the-blank forms and other ways to organize vital records, data and information. It will elicit explanations that don’t fit in a “box.”

For example, relative to finances, this book helps loved ones or the executor understand information. It prompts the record keeper to explain in his or her own words, where assets come from, the purpose of various accounts, and how to access funds – in addition to account numbers and document location.

And merely stating the digits of our car lease and where the leases are, will not inform my wife that when one of us dies, lease payments still have to be paid until the end of the lease.

Or that there are separate monthly payments for Plan D drug coverage for each of us, but only one joint monthly payment for  medical, as well as dental insurance.

And, and, and …

However, some information is easier to comprehend when listed in a chart.  Another goal of my book is to assist you in generating your own tables of information.

But since the record-keeper may not be a computer whiz with Word, this book teaches you how to create your own blank chart or table.

My book is intended to be read and understood by you, the record-keeper; a future survivor; and your executor/executrix. Of special note, are the benefits your partner will reap from reading the chapters on downsizing, getting rid of stuff, and organizing an easy relocation.

Uniquely, this book also teaches you how to establish a simple locator system.  It’s not complicated and comes from my forty years of manufacturing experience in a company with five locations, covering almost 600,000 square feet of factory space – so it was necessary to know exactly where a given item was. (The average home is almost 2,400 square feet by comparison.)

Still, it may not be enough to say that the checkbook is in the desk. Where in the desk? Your description of a “location” may not be sufficient for your partner – let alone your executor – but it will reduce stress, and save time and money, if you learn how to identify locations of important documents.

Additionally, humor, true vignettes, and detailed instructions set My Family Record Book apart from books of a similar nature.

Won’t you, the record keeper, feel better knowing you have done everything in your power to help your survivor into the next phase of life? I know I do.

Here are some testimonials you might find interesting:

What people are saying about the book:

“You owe it to your loved ones to buy this book.”

“On our ‘How to Manage Your Monkey’ blog, we have been discussing end of life planning. Why? Because I Love You fits into that very well. This book gives the family’s financial person the information they need to create a step-by-step guide regarding the location of important papers and accounts. {It} also kicks this up a notch by helping us create a step-by-step guide to tell others what is where and how to do what … we used to do by memory. We saw how important this was during my recent surgery and resulting stay in multiple hospitals and a nursing home. We keep our information in a document sharing program that allows those who need access to the information to get to it from anywhere. Why? Because I Love You is very well written and thought out very well. This is one book you can’t afford to pass up. We give it all five stars! We think it is extremely important you, and all your family, read this book!” – David & Suzanne McClendon (from Amazon reviews) 

“A must for every family! Having found myself a widow at the age of 34, I know from personal experience that life can change in a second. For those left behind, this is an invaluable tool. Taking the time as a couple or family to complete this step by step guide is the best gift you can give those you truly care about!”

“The reader gains tools to make thoughtful decisions along with practical instruction.”

“So happy to know everything I need to tell my family and it’s so easy. It’s so hard to know and remember everything that needs to be conveyed to my family, but this book covers it all! I like that led me to write out “why” I’d made some decisions. I’ve had a chance to think things over or gather documents for info. that I need. Also will probably use info in book on downsizing!”

“The perfect book for the task at hand.”

“A most valuable and instructive resource.”

“All good information. I just lost my wife of 58 wonderful years and everything in the book you should do before it’s too late.

“The most thorough book of its kind.”

“So happy to know EVERYTHING I need to tell my family – so helpful.”

“We will finally begin to tackle these very important, but much postponed, tasks with the help of this wonderful book.”

Find more comments at Amazon.com!

Read past columns of Hershey Rosen, here: https://rinewstoday.com/hershey-rosen/

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Harris “Hershey” Rosen, is the author of WHY? Because I Love You, a book that says it like it is – “What you need to know when I die”. His book details methods to organize your important personal and family information for those who are left behind.

A graduate of Harvard, Hershey Rosen has focused on controlling chaos since 1954. He was a Financial Control Officer in the U.S. Army, where he received a Letter of Commendation for improvement to its worldwide accounting system. Next, on to satisfying everyone’s sweet tooth, he ran a candy company for 40 years, developing a system for locating ANY item housed in five factories, covering 600,000 square feet.

Following “retirement,” Hershey went on to become a mediator and settled over 200 disputes for the state of Rhode Island and The Community Mediation Center of Rhode Island. He was also asked to team-teach management courses at the University of Rhode Island, where he enthusiastically challenged the text book with real-life experiences, to the delight and edification of the students.

Always passionate about assisting others, Hershey has been a director or trustee of numerous boards and organizations. He has written Creating A Guide So Your Loved Ones Can Go On Living! to help others protect their spouses (and families) from the intense stress that will occur if one does not share financial information and knowledge critical to a functioning home. He then wrote My Family Record Book, expanding on the information in his first book, and finally, in 2020, WHY? Because I Love You was published.

Hershey, who lives in Providence, Rhode Island, can now relax (ha!) with his beloved wife, Myrna, and enjoy visits with their combined five children and ten grandchildren.

“WHY? Because I Love You” – available here: https://amzn.to/32iXJqq