The Prepared Overview Tool

A simple household budget, with added planning for what may change if either person passes first.

Privacy & Security
Your information stays with you.

The entries you make are saved in your browser, such as Chrome or Safari, on the device you are using. This lets you return to them later and make changes without having to re-enter everything each time. Prepared does not receive or store your financial entries.

Data Safety
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No information you enter is used for advertising or marketing
A Few Things to Know

Prepared cannot see the names, income, expenses, debts, balances, or results you enter. If you choose to download a private work file, completed Overview, or PDF, that copy is saved to your device. Because your working entries are saved by the browser you are using, they may not appear if you open the Tool in a different browser or on a different device.

A Clear Financial Picture

The Prepared Overview Tool is designed for both one-person and two-person households. It brings income, expenses, debts, and monthly cash flow together in one place so you can see where you stand today. For a one-person household, it works as a straightforward household budget and cash-flow tool.

For two-person households, the Tool goes further. It lets you look at each possible future separately: what the financial picture may look like if one person passes first, and then if the other passes first. This is one of the Tool’s most distinctive features and goes well beyond a traditional household budget.

The worksheet is provided free as a companion to Prepared: Just in Case, but is designed to stand on its own. I regularly see people caught without a clear picture of their finances when circumstances change, and the hope is simply that this helps. You’re welcome to use it and share the link with anyone who may benefit.

Dan DeVere
If a death has already occurred, this tool can still help bring the current financial picture into focus. Use the amounts that best reflect what is coming in and what is being spent now. Some things may still be changing, and some answers may not yet be clear. The purpose here is simply to help you see where things stand today and what may need attention next.
Recommended first step
Enter first names or initials
Using names throughout the Tool makes the two later scenarios easier to follow.

Names are optional. If a name box is left blank, the Tool will use Person A or Person B in its place.

Section 1: Household Income Now

Enter monthly amounts. For income received quarterly or annually, use the average monthly amount.

Person A Monthly Amount
Person B Monthly Amount
Estimated Monthly Take-Home Pay
After taxes and other payroll deductions
What does “take-home pay” mean?
Use the amount actually available to the household after taxes and other payroll deductions have been taken out. Do not use gross pay, which is the amount before those deductions. If pay varies from month to month, use a reasonable monthly average.
$
$
Pension Income
Monthly
$
$
Monthly SSI, VA, Disability, Union, or Other Ongoing Cash Benefit
$
$
Monthly Social Security Amount Actually Deposited
Enter the amount that reaches the bank after any Medicare premiums, tax withholding, or other deductions taken from the Social Security payment.
$
$
Business or Self-Employment Income Available to the Household
Monthly amount
What amount belongs here?
Use the average monthly amount the business can regularly provide after business expenses. Income and self-employment taxes paid separately are entered later under Taxes Paid Separately.
$
$
Monthly Annuity Payment, if Any
$
$
Monthly Amount from an RMD or Other Retirement-Account Withdrawal
If this is not paid monthly
If the withdrawal is received quarterly or annually, enter its average monthly amount.
$
$
Monthly Digital or Online Income
If not already included in self-employment income
If this income is already listed elsewhere
If digital or online income is already included in Business or Self-Employment Income or another income line, it does not need to be entered again here.
$
$
Rental Income from Property Owned by One Person
What monthly amount should I enter?
If the rental property is owned by one person, use that person’s column for the average monthly amount left after the property’s regular expenses and mortgage payment are paid. If the property is jointly owned, the income may fit better under Joint or Shared Monthly Income Not Entered Above. The goal is simply to avoid counting the same rental income twice. If the amount isn’t clear, your tax preparer, accountant, or bookkeeper may be able to help calculate it.
$
$
Other Monthly Income for One Person
Use for income received by one person that has not already been entered above.
$
$
Joint or Shared Monthly Income Not Entered Above
Examples...
Examples include net income from jointly owned rental property, a joint investment account, or another source shared by both people. Enter it here only if it has not already been entered above.
Enter one shared monthly amount here, not one amount for each person.
$
Total Monthly Household Income Now$0

Section 2: Income Afterward (For Two-Person Households)

Estimate each person’s monthly income if the other passes first.

If Person A Passes First: Person B’s Estimated Monthly Income

Scenario: Person A passes first. The amounts below are for Person B and estimate the monthly income Person B may have after Person A’s passing.
You are entering Person B’s information
Already Carried Forward
These amounts come from Section 1 and are protected so the same income is not entered twice.
Person B’s Estimated Monthly Take-Home Pay (from Section 1)
Carried forward automatically from Current Household Income and already included in this estimate.
$
Person B’s Pension Income (from Section 1)
Monthly
Carried forward automatically from Current Household Income and already included in this estimate.
$
Person B’s Monthly SSI, VA, Disability, Union, or Other Ongoing Cash Benefit (from Section 1)
Carried forward automatically from Current Household Income and already included in this estimate.
$
Income That May Continue, Change, or Begin After One Person Passes
Estimate each income source below separately.
Person B’s Estimated Monthly Social Security Payment
How do I estimate this Social Security amount?
If Person B may qualify for both a current Social Security benefit and a survivor benefit, the two full payments are not added together. For a simple planning estimate, using the larger expected monthly amount is often a reasonable starting point. If Person B will still be working before full retirement age, earnings may also affect the amount paid. Wages and other income can affect how much of Social Security is taxable. Contact Social Security for the actual benefit amount and how these rules may apply.
$
Monthly Pension Survivor Income
What amount should I use?
Use the survivor amount expected from the pension plan, not the current pension payment. The plan administrator can confirm whether a survivor payment continues and at what amount.
$
Business or Self-Employment Income
Estimated Monthly Amount Available to Person B Afterward
$
Monthly Annuity Payment
Will this payment continue?
Enter only the monthly annuity payment expected to continue to the person shown. Survivor rights depend on the annuity contract.
$
Monthly RMD or Retirement-Account Withdrawal
What amount belongs here?
Enter the average monthly amount expected to continue or begin for the person shown without repeating an amount already entered elsewhere.
$
Monthly Digital or Online Income
$
Monthly Net Rental Income
What monthly amount should I enter?
Use the same approach described in Section 1, Rental Income from Property Owned by One Person. Enter the average monthly amount expected to continue for the person shown.
$
Monthly Joint or Shared Household Income
$
Monthly Income from a Renter or Housemate
What amount belongs here?
Enter the monthly amount you reasonably expect to receive. If the arrangement would add ongoing household costs, include those in the appropriate expense lines rather than subtracting them here. Before relying on this income, consider whether any mortgage, lease, HOA, insurance, or local rules could affect the arrangement.
$
Other Monthly Income
Use only for income not already carried forward or listed above.
$
Person B’s Estimated Total Monthly Income if Person A Passes First$0

If Person B Passes First: Person A’s Estimated Monthly Income

Scenario: Person B passes first. The amounts below are for Person A and estimate the monthly income Person A may have after Person B’s passing.
You are entering Person A’s information
Already Carried Forward
These amounts come from Section 1 and are protected so the same income is not entered twice.
Person A’s Estimated Monthly Take-Home Pay (from Section 1)
Carried forward automatically from Current Household Income and already included in this estimate.
$
Person A’s Pension Income (from Section 1)
Monthly
Carried forward automatically from Current Household Income and already included in this estimate.
$
Person A’s Monthly SSI, VA, Disability, Union, or Other Ongoing Cash Benefit (from Section 1)
Carried forward automatically from Current Household Income and already included in this estimate.
$
Income That May Continue, Change, or Begin After One Person Passes
Estimate each income source below separately.
Person A’s Estimated Monthly Social Security Payment
How do I estimate this Social Security amount?
If Person A may qualify for both a current Social Security benefit and a survivor benefit, the two full payments are not added together. For a simple planning estimate, using the larger expected monthly amount is often a reasonable starting point. If Person A will still be working before full retirement age, earnings may also affect the amount paid. Wages and other income can affect how much of Social Security is taxable. Contact Social Security for the actual benefit amount and how these rules may apply.
$
Monthly Pension Survivor Income
What amount should I use?
Use the survivor amount expected from the pension plan, not the current pension payment. The plan administrator can confirm whether a survivor payment continues and at what amount.
$
Business or Self-Employment Income
Estimated Monthly Amount Available to Person A Afterward
$
Monthly Annuity Payment
Will this payment continue?
Enter only the monthly annuity payment expected to continue to the person shown. Survivor rights depend on the annuity contract.
$
Monthly RMD or Retirement-Account Withdrawal
What amount belongs here?
Enter the average monthly amount expected to continue or begin for the person shown without repeating an amount already entered elsewhere.
$
Monthly Digital or Online Income
$
Monthly Net Rental Income
What monthly amount should I enter?
Use the same approach described in Section 1, Rental Income from Property Owned by One Person. Enter the average monthly amount expected to continue for the person shown.
$
Monthly Joint or Shared Household Income
$
Monthly Income from a Renter or Housemate
What amount belongs here?
Enter the monthly amount you reasonably expect to receive. If the arrangement would add ongoing household costs, include those in the appropriate expense lines rather than subtracting them here. Before relying on this income, consider whether any mortgage, lease, HOA, insurance, or local rules could affect the arrangement.
$
Other Monthly Income
Use only for income not already carried forward or listed above.
$
Person A’s Estimated Total Monthly Income if Person B Passes First$0

Section 3: Household Expenses (Now and Afterward)

This section lets you look ahead at what each person’s monthly expenses may be if the other passes first. Combined with the income estimate, it helps show whether the life you’re living now may still be affordable or whether changes may be needed.

Housing Now and/or Future Living Arrangements

Expense
Monthly Expenses Now
Person A’s Monthly Expenses if Person B Passes First
Person B’s Monthly Expenses if Person A Passes First
Mortgage or Rent Payment
Use the full monthly payment, including any property taxes or homeowners insurance included in the mortgage payment. In the afterward columns, enter the amount that fits the housing arrangement you want to test. For example, if you expect to move in with family and pay no rent or mortgage, enter $0.
If you want to explore a different housing arrangement
The afterward columns can reflect a different housing arrangement, such as staying in the home, selling and moving, sharing housing, or taking in a renter. Enter the mortgage or rent amount that fits the plan you want to examine, then adjust the related property tax, insurance, utilities, maintenance, and other housing costs below as needed. If a change would take time, use the costs that best fit the period you want to understand.
$
$
$
Property Taxes
Enter property taxes here only if they are not included in the mortgage payment.
$
$
$
Homeowners Insurance
Enter homeowners insurance here only if it is not included in the mortgage payment.
$
$
$
Renters Insurance
Enter the average monthly amount.
$
$
$
Flood / Earthquake Insurance
Enter the average monthly amount.
$
$
$
HOA / Condo Dues
$
$
$
Home Maintenance / Repairs, Monthly Average
$
$
$
Other Monthly Housing-Related Costs
$
$
$

Utilities and Communication

Expense
Monthly Expenses Now
Person A’s Monthly Expenses if Person B Passes First
Person B’s Monthly Expenses if Person A Passes First
Electricity
$
$
$
Gas / Heating Fuel
$
$
$
Water / Sewer
$
$
$
Trash / Waste Collection
$
$
$
Person A’s Mobile Phone
$
$
$
Person B’s Mobile Phone
$
$
$
Caution: Before cancelling a phone line after a death, consider whether the number is still needed to receive verification codes, account-recovery messages, important calls, or voicemail. Keeping the number active for a time may help preserve access while accounts and services are being reviewed. It does not by itself provide authority to use another person’s accounts.
Internet
$
$
$
Alarm / Security Service
$
$
$
Other Utilities or Services
$
$
$

Insurance

Expense
Monthly Expenses Now
Person A’s Monthly Expenses if Person B Passes First
Person B’s Monthly Expenses if Person A Passes First
Health Insurance
$
$
$
Medicare Premium, if Paid Separately
If Medicare is already deducted from Social Security
If you entered Social Security as the amount actually deposited after the Medicare premium was deducted, leave this line blank. Enter a Medicare premium here only if you pay it separately; otherwise, the same Medicare premium would be counted twice.
$
$
$
Long-Term Care Insurance
$
$
$
Auto Insurance
$
$
$
Life Insurance
$
$
$
Umbrella or Other Insurance
$
$
$

Transportation

Expense
Monthly Expenses Now
Person A’s Monthly Expenses if Person B Passes First
Person B’s Monthly Expenses if Person A Passes First
Vehicle 1 Payment
$
$
$
Vehicle 2 Payment
$
$
$
Additional Vehicle Payment(s)
$
$
$
Fuel / Vehicle Charging
$
$
$
Vehicle Maintenance / Repairs
$
$
$
Vehicle Registration
$
$
$
Other Transportation Costs
What might belong here?
For example, parking, tolls, public transit, taxis, or rideshare costs not entered elsewhere.
$
$
$

Food & Household

Expense
Monthly Expenses Now
Person A’s Monthly Expenses if Person B Passes First
Person B’s Monthly Expenses if Person A Passes First
Groceries
$
$
$
Dining Out
$
$
$
Household Supplies
$
$
$
Meal-Delivery / Meal-Kit Services
What belongs here?
Examples include DoorDash, Uber Eats, meal-kit subscriptions, ready-to-heat meal services, and other recurring takeout or prepared-food delivery not already included in Groceries or Dining Out.
$
$
$

Medical and Care

If a medical or care cost is paid quarterly, annually, or only occasionally, use a reasonable monthly average.
Expense
Monthly Expenses Now
Person A’s Monthly Expenses if Person B Passes First
Person B’s Monthly Expenses if Person A Passes First
Out-of-Pocket Medical / Prescriptions
$
$
$
Dental / Vision
$
$
$
Long-Term Care or In-Home Care
$
$
$
Other Medical / Care Costs
$
$
$

Subscriptions & Recurring Services

Expense
Monthly Expenses Now
Person A’s Monthly Expenses if Person B Passes First
Person B’s Monthly Expenses if Person A Passes First
Streaming / Entertainment Services
Examples...
This might include services such as Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, Spotify, Apple Music, SiriusXM, Audible, gaming subscriptions, cloud storage, software subscriptions, cable or satellite TV, online memberships, or other recurring entertainment and digital services.
$
$
$
News, Magazine & Online Publication Subscriptions
Examples...
This might include subscriptions to newspapers, magazines, online news sites, paid newsletters, Substack publications, Medium, Apple News+, or other digital publications.
$
$
$
Gym / Memberships
$
$
$
Lawn / Pool / Pest Control
$
$
$
Other Subscriptions or Recurring Services
Examples...
This might include Patreon or other creator memberships, paid online communities, specialty apps, or recurring services not listed above.
$
$
$

Personal / Other

Expense
Monthly Expenses Now
Person A’s Monthly Expenses if Person B Passes First
Person B’s Monthly Expenses if Person A Passes First
Pet Care
$
$
$
Gifts / Contributions
$
$
$
Clothing / Personal Care
$
$
$
Savings / Money Set Aside for Future Needs
What belongs here?
For example, regular deposits to savings or an emergency fund. Do not include amounts already deducted from take-home pay.
$
$
$
Other Personal or Household Expenses
$
$
$

Taxes Paid Separately

Enter federal, state, or other taxes paid separately from household funds. If a payment is made quarterly or annually, use its average monthly amount. Do not include taxes already withheld from take-home pay or other income entered after withholding, and enter each separate tax payment only once.
Expense
Monthly Expenses Now
Person A’s Monthly Expenses if Person B Passes First
Person B’s Monthly Expenses if Person A Passes First
Federal Income / Estimated Tax Payments
$
$
$
State Income / Estimated Tax Payments
$
$
$
Other Taxes Paid Separately
$
$
$
Household Expense Subtotal Before Debt Payments
Monthly Expenses Now
$0
Person A’s Estimated Monthly Expenses if Person B Passes First
$0
Person B’s Estimated Monthly Expenses if Person A Passes First
$0

Section 4: Debt Balances and Monthly Payments

Add debts here: revolving, installment, and other debts that are not already included under Household Expenses. For two-person households, this page also lets you estimate the monthly payments that may remain if either person passes first.

Add Your Debts to Complete the Picture
The amounts you enter here are totaled automatically and included in the What The Numbers Show overview in the next section. This gives you an easy way to tally your current debt balances and monthly payments in one place, creating a clear overview that can otherwise take some effort to assemble. In the next section, those debt payments are brought together with income and household expenses to show the bigger picture: where cash flow stands now and how it may look for each person afterward.
Two ways to use this section
List debts separately: Use one row for each debt or account.
Quick estimate: Use one row for the combined balance and combined monthly payment of debts not already entered under Household Expenses. In Creditor or Account, you can simply enter Combined Debt Estimate. Then use the two afterward fields for the combined payment you expect may remain for each person.
Creditor or Account
Current Balance
Current Monthly Payment
Enter Person A’s Projected Monthly Payment if Person B Passes First
Enter Person B’s Projected Monthly Payment if Person A Passes First
The projected payment fields are intentionally left blank because some debt payments may continue, change, or end after a death. Enter the monthly amount you expect may remain for each person, or $0 if you expect no payment to remain. Prepared: Just in Case explains debt responsibility in more detail.
Debt Totals
Total Current Balance — Debts Entered Above
$0
Total Monthly Payments Now — Debts Entered Above
$0
Person A’s Estimated Total Monthly Debt Payments if Person B Passes First
$0
Person B’s Estimated Total Monthly Debt Payments if Person A Passes First
$0
A credit report can help identify accounts that may not have been listed above. Free credit reports are available through AnnualCreditReport.com or by calling 1-877-322-8228.

Your Prepared Overview

This overview can also be a useful starting point for a conversation with a financial professional about possible strategies and their potential effects.

ScenarioMonthly IncomeMonthly ExpensesMonthly Cash Flow After Expenses
Household Finances Now$0$0$0
If Person B Passes First
A snapshot of Person A’s estimated monthly finances afterward		$0$0$0
If Person A Passes First
A snapshot of Person B’s estimated monthly finances afterward		$0$0$0
These results are planning estimates based on the amounts entered. Actual future income, expenses, benefits, and obligations may differ.
Saving a Copy of Your Work

The options below let you download a private copy of your entries and reopen it later. Downloaded copies are usually found in your device’s Downloads folder. You can also create a clean completed Overview.

Prepared does not receive these files or the financial information in them. A saved-work file or completed Overview contains personal financial information, so keep it where you would keep other private financial records.
Download a private copy of your entries to your device so you can return to them later or continue on another device.
Open a private copy you previously downloaded to your device and continue where you left off.
Downloads a clean, read-only browser file containing your entries and results.
Opens a clean print version. Your browser can print it or save it as a PDF.
Prints the full worksheet, including every section and both future scenarios.
The Prepared Overview Tool
Dan DeVere
NMLS #295207
discoverreversemortgages.com
The Prepared Overview Tool is free to use and share. Please keep the tool name and attribution intact. It may not be rebranded, sold, or represented as another person’s or organization’s work. The tool provides estimates based on the information you enter and does not provide financial, tax, legal, or Social Security advice. Future income, expenses, benefits, and obligations may differ from the estimates shown here. © 2026 Dan DeVere. All rights reserved. The Prepared Overview Tool is independently developed and owned by Dan DeVere and is not a Dignified Home Loans product. Dan DeVere is a Mortgage Loan Originator with Dignified Home Loans, LLC, an Equal Housing Lender, licensed by the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation under the California Residential Mortgage Lending Act #413-1108. NMLS #309234.
Prepared Overview Tool • Front Facing v118 • Updated August 19, 2026