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Ask Judy Question #13
Dear Judy: I keep hearing about disasters in homes and offices. How can I prepare for one, using my existing technology?
Signed...Nervous in Newport Beach
Response from Angela Allen
Dear Nervous: I bought a CD burner to prepare for disaster. I did the "scan and save to disk" thing for all my old important documents, legal information, old bank statements, tax returns and associated documents. It took me almost two months of doing that every spare moment, and it is great! Later, I moved to much smaller quarters. If you live in tight spaces, it's a God-send.
I can access anything on my computer, and I have a copy on CD in my
fire-proof safe and another copy at my parents' house. I've impressed the
heck out of businesses that call me and ask specific questions - by saying,
"hold on just a second and let me look that information up for you". My
system is quicker than most of their computers at accessing the data in my
"customer" files. My insurance agent tried to get me to come work for her,
said I was the most organized person that she'd ever worked with.
I also included the "best of the best" family pictures, in case of disaster. I put in all required information about possessions in case of fire, and a recently updated list of other valuables is included. After
being robbed once, I keep these "proofs" now. I recommend that everyone does.
Another point: How long has it been since you made a list of your computer equipment, peripherals, and software packages including version number? If there was a fire, how could you prove what you had? What receipts could you produce in
that situation? Your insurance company will not simply take your word for
it, and you won't remember it all until you need it and start looking for
it. Trust me.
I'm not sure that I would recommend the exercise for everyone, but it also
helped me to get rid of a lot of sentimental stuff that was occupying
Xerox boxes in the attic etc.
I'm keeping all my business related information on a CD now - and doing the same thing with the extra copies of the CD. This includes notes, receipts
for tax information and verification of mileage, expenses and services.
Angela L. Allen, IVAA CVA
CumberlanDunes Consulting Services
Small Business Consulting & Virtual Assistance
"Helping you do business better."
http://www.cumberlandunes.com
ala@cumberlandunes.com
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