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Information about all aspects of finances affected by a serious health condition. Includes income sources such as work, investments, and private and government disability programs, and expenses such as medical bills, and how to deal with financial problems.
Information about all aspects of health care from choosing a doctor and treatment, staying safe in a hospital, to end of life care. Includes how to obtain, choose and maximize health insurance policies.
Answers to your practical questions such as how to travel safely despite your health condition, how to avoid getting infected by a pet, and what to say or not say to an insurance company.

My Survivorship A to Z Guide

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Note: This is a sample Survivorship A to Z Guide for a fictitious person we call John. John is just diagnosed with HIV. To view a summary of his answers which led to this Guide, click here.

To get your own free, computer-generated A to Z Guide, click here.

Consider passing on your values, what you've learned in your lifetime, and/or family memories by writing an Ethical Will.

An Ethical Will passes on your thoughts about life, what you've learned, and what you want to share with your loved ones. An Ethical Will can be in writing, spoken into a tape or digital recorder, or even videoed.

Like a traditional Will, you can revise your Ethical Will if your thoughts change.

There are no legal requirements for the execution of an Ethical Will. It also doesn't have to be created all at once. You can start it now, and add to it as time or events remind you of values or memories to include.  

For information about ethical wills, click here. 

NOTE: There are web sites where you can leave messages for delivery after your death. For example, zarpz.com offsite link

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Ethical Will

If you take some time to think about your funeral wishes, you'll save money and additional stress on your survivors. If you haven't already, if is preferable not to pre-pay. [Tell me more]

Few people like to think about death. Still we have to deal with it because death is as certain as taxes -- and, as you know, it can come when not expected.

Taking the time to focus on this subject will take an immense burden off of the people who love you  - and will probably also save literally thousands of dollars. Think about your wishes for such things as:

  • Do you want to donate your eyes or other organs?
  • Do you want to be buried or cremated?
  • Do you know where you want to be buried or your ashes placed?
  • What kind of funeral service do you want? Where?
  • Do you want a memorial service?

As you think about these things, keep in mind that funerals are mainly for the people who survive. Also that it is generally not a good idea to pre-pay for a funeral. There are many reasons, including that you may move or you may want to change your funeral plans. Instead, consider putting the money in a separate savings bank account so it is available when and as needed.

It would be better to put the money in a separate savings bank account.

Discuss your wishes with your family. They'll probably have to consent to what you want to do, so you can find out now if there is going to be a problem. Consider taking some of the sting out of the conversation by making it a family event. What does everyone involved in the conversation want for themselves? It may sound morbid, but this kind of conversation is likely to open a meaningful dialogue.