CWSotW: inventory your belongings
One of my goals for this year seems tedious: I want to keep better records. I want to back up my hard drives and cross-reference my files so that in case of tragedy --- either act of God or at human hands --- all will not be lost. Or, at least, my pictures of my nieces and nephews will remain safe.
Part of this goal will involve creating a home inventory in case of emergency. Simply recording a video of your home, focusing on things of value and quantity, would help with insurance claims should you become a victim of fire or theft.
This Real Simple article about creating a home inventory offers some low-tech means to compile a home inventory, including eight home-inventory worksheets.
Want something a little more detailed?
The Insurance Information Institute offers free software called Know Your Stuff that lets users catalog their items, along with serial numbers and other data as well as replacement costs. One bonus from this easy-to-use software: you can e-mail yourself a copy to a Web-based account so it's always available in case of disaster.
Over at Unclutterer, the readers there say that having an inventory such as this one helps them put their possessions in perspective and identify items they might consider selling for income, as well.
(photo: Algerina Perna/Baltimore Sun)
