Life doesn’t always give us a warning before things change. Whether it’s an unexpected job shift, a medical bill, or a major life transition, financial peace comes from being prepared before you need to be.

That’s why my husband and I recently started revisiting our own emergency plan — not out of fear, but out of intention. We realized that just like we plan for vacations, birthdays, or long-term goals, we also need a plan for the what-ifs. Often times these are the tough conversations people don’t want to have, but are necessary. Then, once you’re confident with your plan, you’ll have peace knowing all these tasks are taken care of.

Here’s what that looks like for us — and how you can begin building your own.