Your financial future can only be in focus if you have developed a financial plan.

The "nuts and bolts" of your financial plan will depend on accurate records providing the details of your life.

That's why your records should be as individual as you are. This list will help you gather your nuts and bolts to build a foundation for budgeting, investing, planning for college, looking toward retirement or estate planning.

Your records should include: full, legal name, Social Security number, legal residence, date and place of birth, names and address of spouse and children (location of death certificates if deceased), location of will or trust, location of birth certificate and marriage, divorce and citizenship certificates, list of employers and dates of employment, education and military records, religious affiliation (name of church or synagogue), memberships in organizations and awards received, names and addresses of relatives, close friends, doctors, lawyers or financial advisers and requests, preferences, or prearrangements for burial.

Keep these records in one secure place, and make sure a family member or friend knows the exact location of your records file.

Along with your records, you should provide information about insurance policies, bank accounts, deeds, investments and other valuables to insure all of your assets can be found when the need arises. Recheck to be certain all the following information is in one convenient place:

Sources of income and assets (pension funds, interest income, etc.), Social Security and Medicare information, insurance information (life, health and property with policy numbers), bank accounts (even credit union), location of safe deposit boxes, copy of most recent income tax return, list of liabilities (to whom and when is it due), mortgages and debt (including how and when payments are paid), credit card and charge account names and numbers, property tax records and location of personal items (jewelry and family treasures).

Having all this information organized will help you meet the challenges of your later years and assist you with making intelligent decisions today.

Marc P. Tomberg is branch manager at Raymond James Financial Services. His office is located in Ryanwood Square at 2140 58th Ave, Vero Beach. He may be reached by phone at (772) 778-4399.