The Files, Records, and Data You Store

The Office Called Home – Part 2

What are the files, records, and data (stuff) your family must manage?

I wanted to jump right to where we store our records, files, and data, but realized I needed to explain what I mean by the items.  It would do us (and me) well to take a step back and think about what exactly we’re managing. Here are the major categories that make up the records, files, and data found in your home.

The lists.  There are lists that we all manage whether written or mental.  Often times Pamela shops with the mental list: 1) because she can and 2) because she knows I keep a digital list.  We have lists for each store we shop (i.e. Target, Walmart, Sam’s, Winn Dixie, Publix, etc.). We have lists for general travels and beach travel.  We also have agendas for our various weekly meetings. We have lists to manage the areas of our lives that recur and frankly we’ve become tired of forgetting items which results in pain points or loss of time. What lists can you think of that your family uses?

Important documents.  We all have these, important documents that you can’t just throw out or get by with scanning.  The important documents consist of items like birth certificates, social security cards, auto titles, insurance & legal documents, etc.   You have a place for these, but is that place ideal for the family? Are you treating your important paperwork like it’s not important or are your treating these like it’s your most important business paperwork?  What documents do you have that you consider your important documents?

Keepsakes.  Do you have those old childhood photos that having a scanned copy just doesn’t seem the same?  What about those wedding invitations & ceremonies? How about your loved one’s obituaries? Do you have those items like the Christmas ornaments made by your child in grade school?  Keepsakes, the items you simply don’t want to part with. What other items can you add to my quick list of keepsakes?

Shared files.  This category is more prevalent today than years past.   In this digital world, we now have items that can be shared and works better when shared.  This included items like digital pictures, photo albums, music, movies and more. Even having a family tree these days can be digital.  Does your family have your digital files stored all over the place or do you have a plan in place that manages it all? What other shared files can you think of that I might be missing?

Passwords.  Passwords can sometimes be an issue for our family.   Every device has a password. Home wifi access requires a password.   Email accounts and every app on our smart devices. Our PC’s need a password.  The home security system, etc. What are you doing to keep up with all the passwords?  Instead of allowing this to be problem and get out of hand, we have a plan for that too.  What about you? As times change (I hate to say it), so should you. I know I’m missing a ton of other examples.  What are some of the places you have passwords to track?

One more…
Credit cards and your money.  If you’re like most, you walk around with cards you never use in your wallet or purse.  Why? Maybe you have no other place for them. What about your emergency fund? Where would you keep the funds?  Do you have a secure place for your money and unused cards? What would you do if your purse or wallet were stolen?  Or cards compromised? What other items such as credit cards and money would you place in this category?

At any rate, the above categories will get us started on our journey to defining our files, records, and data for the business we call home.

Today is Friday!
No matter what you’re doing, it’s a good practice to improve upon it.  That’s what the uncommon do. Don’t do the same thing over and over again year after year and expect better results.  Take the initiative to make improvements to the processes and rituals that are normal to you and your family, your business.

[su_note note_color="#FFFFFF" text_color="#000000"]The Family Plan Binder is available now!

Our team has worked very hard putting it together. We designed it to help you and your family move the needle forward in making your life your business. Find out more about the Family plan here.[/su_note]