Milton's Binder - Well, Sort Of

The Paul Truesdell Podcast

Truesdell Weajth, Inc.
212-433-2525
Let me be clear: in today’s world of digital everything—cloud storage, hard drives, apps—there’s still nothing quite like a good old-fashioned three-ring binder when it comes to staying organized. Sure, you can store everything online or on your computer, but there’s something about the tangible, physical presence of a binder that just works. It’s right there in front of you, easy to flip through, easy to update, and easy to manage. When it comes to estate planning, bookkeeping, or organizing your financial life, nothing beats the efficiency of a well-organized binder.

Now, I’m not saying digital storage doesn’t have its place—of course, it does. In fact, I firmly believe in a combination of both digital and physical organization. Hurricanes, fires, and other disasters can destroy physical documents, just like a computer virus or hardware failure can wipe out your digital files. That’s why you need to be prepared with both. However, the simplicity and reliability of a binder is unmatched. You can physically handle it, open it, and see everything at a glance. There’s no logging in, no passwords to forget, and no waiting for files to load.

Here’s the process I recommend: keep a physical binder and complement it with a digital system. Use a good scanner like the SnapScan, which I use frequently, to scan handwritten or printed documents into digital form. Once you’ve updated your handwritten notes, scan the new pages, replace the older ones in your digital files, and keep the physical binder up to date as well. This system allows you to capture the best of both worlds—the tactile, organized simplicity of a binder with the security and backup of digital storage.

I’m a big fan of using three-hole punch school paper, the kind we all grew up with, for organizing these binders. It’s a system that works—simple, effective, and familiar. Whether you prefer the classic three-ring binder or use something more modern like the Circa system (which has pages with multiple holes that easily slip into rings), it doesn’t matter. The point is to have a system that you can easily update and manage over time. Don’t get bogged down with a spiral notebook or a hardbound journal where the pages are locked in. Those are great if you’re writing a diary or something that can’t change, but not for financial and estate planning where updates are inevitable.

One of the best features of the three-ring binder system is its flexibility. You can add and remove pages as needed, insert new documents, and keep everything organized in one place. Have a three-hole punch handy so you can easily add papers whenever necessary. This is critical because life changes, and so do your financial and legal needs. Whether you’re updating your will, tracking your investments, or organizing your insurance policies, you need a system that can evolve with you. That’s why the binder works so well—it’s adaptable, it’s simple, and it’s right there when you need it.

The beauty of this system is that it encourages regular updates and maintenance. I always recommend sitting down once a week for what I call “weekly bookkeeping.” This isn’t complicated. It’s about taking a moment to review what you did last week, what’s coming up, what you have, what you owe, and tracking your progress. Everyone should be doing this. If you’re not, you’re falling behind. And if you’re getting ahead, you’re not getting ahead as quickly as you could be. Weekly bookkeeping is the key to staying on top of your finances, and having a binder in which you keep your important documents organized makes it all the more efficient.

This is especially important when it comes to estate planning, asset tracking, and long-term financial organization. The lists and tools we provide are designed to take the heavy lifting out of the process. It’s all about creating a system that works for you—efficiently and effectively. Having a binder where you can keep all your documents organized and easily accessible allows you to manage your financial and legal life with confidence.

In the end, it’s about peace of mind. A well-maintained three-ring binder filled with organized, up-to-date documents gives you a sense of control and preparedness that digital files alone often can’t provide. You can hold it, flip through it, and see your entire financial picture in front of you. And when combined with digital backups, you’re doubly protected. This is the kind of simple, practical approach that makes a difference—and the kind of organization that ensures everything runs smoothly for you and your family.

If you’re serious about getting your affairs in order and ensuring that your financial and legal life is organized, this is the way to do it. I guarantee that once you start using a binder to track and manage your important documents, you’ll wonder how you ever got by without it. It’s a system that works, and it’s one that will help you stay on top of things, no matter how busy life gets.

When you work with us, we guide you through this process. We don’t just throw information at you and leave you to figure it out. We provide you with practical tools, like this binder system, to ensure that you’re set up for success. We make things simple, and that’s what sets us apart. We value clarity, efficiency, and making sure that you’re fully equipped to handle your financial future.

If you want to work with people who not only understand estate and financial planning but also provide you with the tools to stay organized and on track, then you’ve found the right place. We’re here to help, and we’re ready to make sure that you feel confident, prepared, and in control of your financial future.