|
|
 Restoring
Order to Your Home
|
|
CBN.com –
Let’s face it; very few of us have a household
inventory. We all know it is an invaluable tool.
If your home is burned, flooded, burglarized, or
suffers some other unfortunate fate, an accurate
list of your belongings and their replacement
value will be required. An inventory is also
essential to aid in the distribution of property
in the case of a death or divorce.
An inventory takes time to create and most of
us don’t know where to begin. What do you list?
How detailed should you be? These days you can buy
sophisticated software programs helping you
categorize, subcategorize, and label every item
you own. But is that necessary?
Coming from a professional organizer, it might
surprise you to learn that a household inventory
really doesn’t have to be that complicated. While
I can’t offer legal or financial advice on
inventories, here are some things you may want to
consider to customize a simple household inventory
that works for you:
TIMING
I don’t even recommend that my clients create an
inventory until they’ve begun to reclaim their
space. If their home is buried in clutter, the
first step is to ditch the deadwood in their space
and get things organized. Why inventory a bunch of
things that you aren’t even going to keep? After
the home is simplified, the time is ripe to create
an inventory.
MOTIVATION
Before you tackle a household inventory, ask
yourself what you’re trying to accomplish. Are you
trying to establish the cost of your
belongings or replacement value (which
takes into consideration depreciation and
appreciation)? Are you looking for a feeling of
safety or accomplishment or something else? Do you
just want to have a master list for family
members? Your motivation for recording your items
will direct how to proceed.
DETAIL
How detailed do you want your inventory to be? Do
you want to know the make, model, brand, price,
purchase location, identification number, and
description, or just the item and value?
You’ll also need to decide what to include. Do you
want to record every single item you own, or only
those high dollar items, like electronics,
appliances, outdoor equipment, artwork, jewelry,
etc.? Don’t forget collectibles and sentimental or
irreplaceable items.
To address these issues, recall your motivation in
creating an inventory in the first place. For
example, if you’ve decided you just want a basic
list of major items “just in case,” then don’t
overdo the scope of your inventory or the details.
FORMAT
Consider the format of your inventory. Do you want
to compile it manually in a simple document,
spreadsheet, or database format? Does the home
inventory software appeal to you?
My best advice is to begin your inventory only as
you have the means and desire to continue it.
Don’t start a spreadsheet and then never add to it
again. Your inventory should be a living document,
one that you continually update as you make
acquisitions and dispense of your property. If you
add or subtract items and neglect to update your
inventory, it quickly becomes obsolete.
DOCUMENT
In addition to your list, you should take digital
photos of your most valuable belongings. Some
people advise taking pictures of everything, but I
think that every knick knack doesn’t deserve its
own photo (unless, of course, it is some kind of
valuable collectible!) Save your photos to a
special disk and burn a few copies.
Others advise taking a video of your belongings.
If you do this, ensure that you keep the format
updated as the years (and formats) go by and avoid
overdoing the commentary to keep it short and
sweet.
Keep your inventory and digital record in a safety
deposit box or somewhere offsite, or even at a
remote electronic site. Let loved ones know the
location of your inventory and accompanying
images.
SIMPLIFY
Keep your home inventory simple. Review your
insurance and family needs, check out your
existing policies, place a quick call to your
financial or legal advisor, and decide if it makes
sense to spend an afternoon with your spouse or a
friend creating a basic inventory. Then, determine
your motivation, desired level of detail, and
preferred format. Start the inventory only as you
can keep it up. You can always build on it later.
Who knows, in the process of listing your
belongings, you might just find:
- You need to get organized first!
- You were sorely under (or over) insured
- A long forgotten treasure or two
- You can let go of some of your overage to
someone less fortunate (and receive a nice tax
deduction)
About the Author: Vicki
Norris is an expert organizer, business owner,
speaker, television personality, and author who
inspires people to live out their priorities. She
is author of Reclaim Your Life™ © 2007 by Vicki
Norris and of Restoring Order™ to Your Home, ©
2007, a room-by-room household organizing guide,
both published by Harvest House Publishers,
Eugene, OR (available now at
www.RestoringOrder.com). Norris is a regular
on HGTV’s nationally syndicated Mission:
Organization, and is a recurrent source and
contributor to national lifestyle publications
including Quick & Simple magazine, Better Homes &
Gardens, and Real Simple magazine. |
