A practical look at putting your life
together written by the founder of the internationally celebrated website Get
Your Shit Together and informed by the author's personal experience after her
husband was killed in a biking accident. Part memoir, part hard-working
how-to guidebook, What Matters Most inspires readers to get their 'affairs in order'
before the unthinkable (or inevitable) happens.
On July 17, 2009, Chanel
Reynolds's husband, José, was sideswiped by a van while cycling near their home
in Seattle. In the aftermath of her husband's sudden death, Reynolds quickly
realized that she was left bewildered and underprepared for what happens next.
What was the password to his phone? Did they sign their wills? How much
insurance did they have? Could she afford the house? And what the hell was
probate court anyway? Simply put, when life went sideways she didn't have her
shit together.
As it turns out, most of us
don't either. We're too busy, in denial, overwhelmed, don't know where to
start. We procrastinate or outright avoid having these difficult yet critical
conversations.
Reynolds learned the hard way
that hoping for the best is not a plan, but you don't have to. Drawing on her
first-hand experience, expert advice, and the unparalleled resources she's
compiled from her popular website and checklists, Reynolds lends her,
friendly, human voice to help readers navigate and avoid much of confusion,
overwhelm, and uncertainty when 'something happens' and learn how to:
- Create a will, living will,
and power of attorney documents
- Update (or finally get) the
right life insurance policy
- Start or grow an emergency
fund and prioritize your spending
- Make a watertight emergency
and 'What-If' plan
- Keep secure, up-to-date
records of personal information
Authoritative yet intimate,
grounded but irreverent, Reynolds's voice carries readers through a tough
subject with candor and compassion. Weaving personal story with hard-won
wisdom, What Matters Most is the approachable, no-nonsense handbook we
all need to living a life free of worry and "what ifs."
