The Footprint Method™
Five simple steps to organise your life and create continuity for the people you love.
Gather · Organise · Protect · Share Guidance · Preserve Memories
Start Your Vault — It's FreeNo credit card needed · 14-day free trial · £29.99/year after that
Five Steps to Clarity
Each step builds on the last. Together, they create a complete, organised, and secure legacy.
Gather
Bring Everything Together
The first step is about bringing everything together. You gather important information about yourself, your family, your property, and your assets. This is about identifying what matters most — without pressure.
What you'll do:
- Record your personal identity and emergency information
- List your key contacts and trusted people
- Identify your property, vehicles, and possessions
- Gather information about your family structure
- Note down what you consider most important
Real example:
You record your GP's details, your home address, your children's contact information, and your car registration — everything your family would need to know immediately.
Vault sections in this step:
- Personal Identity
- Emergency Information
- Contacts & Trusted People
- Property & Home
- Vehicles
Organise
Create Calm from Chaos
Once you have gathered the information, the next step is to organise it into clear, logical sections. This creates calm and clarity from what might feel like chaos. Small steps, one section at a time.
What you'll do:
- Create a simple structure for your financial information
- Categorise your accounts by type (bank, investment, pension)
- Organise your legal documents by jurisdiction
- Group your insurance policies together
- Build clarity from the information you have gathered
Real example:
You list all your bank accounts with sort codes and account numbers, your pension provider details, your insurance policies, and where your will is stored — all in one organised place.
Vault sections in this step:
- Bank Accounts
- Investments & Pensions
- Insurance Policies
- Debts & Liabilities
- Legal Documents
Protect
Secure & Control
The third step is about protecting everything you have gathered and organised. Your information is encrypted, secure, and under your complete control. You decide who sees what — and you can change this at any time.
What you'll do:
- Store your information safely and securely
- Encrypt all your data at rest and in transit
- Control exactly who can see what
- Manage access permissions for trusted people
- Know that your family's information is protected
Real example:
Your vault uses bank-grade encryption. Your passwords are never visible to anyone unless you choose to share them. Your family can only see the sections you have granted them access to.
Vault sections in this step:
- Digital Accounts
- Subscriptions
- Medical Information
- Healthcare Wishes
- Security Settings
Share Guidance
Open Your Vault to Those You Trust
The fourth step is about sharing your wishes and guidance with the people you trust. You decide exactly who sees what and when. This is about giving your family the clarity and access they need — without confusion.
What you'll do:
- Share your wishes and guidance with trusted people
- Grant access to specific family members or professionals
- Document your preferences and instructions
- Record your healthcare wishes and funeral preferences
- Leave a letter or message for your loved ones
Real example:
You invite your executor to see your will location and financial information, your GP to see your healthcare wishes, and your children to see your funeral preferences and any messages you want them to read.
Vault sections in this step:
- Personal Wishes
- Funeral Preferences
- Messages to Loved Ones
- Trusted Person Access
- Bereavement Checklist
Preserve Memories
Leave Something That Lasts
The fifth and final step is about preserving what matters most — your memories, your values, and your stories. This is the part that goes beyond paperwork. It is the part that truly makes a difference to the people you love.
What you'll do:
- Write a message to your children or grandchildren
- Record a favourite memory or family story
- Share your values and what matters most to you
- Leave guidance for future generations
- Create a time capsule for someone special
Real example:
You write a letter to your grandchildren about what you hope for them. You record a family story that only you know. You leave behind something that no document could ever replace — your voice, your wisdom, your love.
Vault sections in this step:
- Memories & Stories
- Values & Beliefs
- Messages to Loved Ones
- Time Capsule
- Family History
How the Steps Connect
Each step naturally leads to the next. Together, they create a complete legacy.
Step 1: Find
You gather all the information your family needs to know. This is the foundation — everything else builds on it.
Step 2: Organise
You take all that information and arrange it into clear, logical sections. This creates calm and clarity from potential chaos.
Step 3: Open
You share your organised information with the people you trust — your family, your solicitor, your executor. You control exactly who sees what.
Step 4: Protect
Everything is encrypted, secure, and under your control. Your family has the information they need, and it's protected with bank-grade security.
Why The Footprint Method Works
It's calm and practical
No overwhelming forms. No jargon. Just simple, clear steps that anyone can follow.
It's built for real people
Designed with over-50s, expats, and busy families in mind. It works whether you're tech-confident or not.
It reduces family stress
When life changes, your family won't have to search or guess. Everything is in one place, clearly organised.
It's flexible and secure
You control who sees what, and you can change permissions at any time. Everything is encrypted and protected.
Download The Footprint Method™ Guide
Get a free, printable PDF guide explaining all five steps. Share it with your family or print it to keep on your desk.
Ready to follow The Footprint Method?
Start your vault today. It takes just a few minutes to create your account and begin the first step.
14-day free trial · £29.99/year · Cancel anytime