Getting Your Financial House in Order: Financial Advisor Provides Tips to Help Consumers Organize Their Financial Lives

Atlanta, GA (PRWEB) December 18, 2007 - Most people would agree that there is no worse feeling than needing something and not being able to find it. The problem is compounded when the "something you need to find" are documents that detail financial holdings, insurance policies and other important documents belonging to a loved one. "If, like most people, you keep copies of your will, savings bonds and keepsakes in a lock box or safety deposit box, youre doing OK," says financial professional Bill Spalding. "But, a safety deposit box can be made better if its managed online and includes account aggregation." Account aggregation is a method that involves compiling information from different accounts, which may include bank accounts, credit card accounts, investment accounts, and other consumer or business accounts, into a single place. One of the best methods uses something called "screen scraping" where a user provides the requisite account-access information for an automated system to gather and compile the information into a single page. Usually this aggregated account information resides in a web-based application. With just a few keystrokes, the account holder can log in to a password protected site and view all their information online. While such services are primarily designed to aggregate financial information, they sometimes also display other things such as the contents of e-mail boxes and news headlines. Account aggregation programs vary in content and sophistication. Spalding prefers a program known as "Wealth Check" because of its ability to store critical documents as well as provide a running tally of the clients net worth on a daily basis. According to Spalding, many of the programs and websites available can get the job done, but he likes Wealth Check because it pulls together all assets, including real estate, bank accounts, investment vehicles, credit cards, frequent flyer points and other financial-related records. "The key to selecting any form of account aggregation is to select a program that best fits your individual needs," says Spalding. Wealth Check, like some other programs, allows important non-financial documents to be included in the aggregation report as well. "By simply scanning documents like wills, healthcare directives, insurance policies and deeds, you can create a one-stop place for all your important documents to make it easy for your loved ones when they need to access them." "I like to tell my clients that using account aggregation software is like writing a love letter to the most important people in their lives. Think about how important it could be to have all of your important financial information in one place," says Spalding. "As a society, we are more mobile than ever. Online account aggregation programs make critical information accessible from anywhere in the world." Spalding believes five tips will assist anyone in getting their financial house in order. RESEARCH, RESEARCH, RESEARCH As with any consumer good, Spalding recommends that those looking for account aggregation research the company that provides the service. "While cost is a factor for many people, the least expensive option in account aggregation software is not always the best," says Spalding. "You want to critically look at the company and examine what measures it takes to ensure the safety and security of your personal financial information. You may want to pay special attention to whether or not the company sells its information to other companies for marketing... To read the press release in full goto