I do this all the time, but also after I buy something expensive. Whenever I make a big purchase (iPod, HDTV, iMac, Surround Sound), I always take a picture of the item, showing it clearly in my possession at my house, and a close up pic of the serial number. Then I send the pics to myself in an email so that if an item ever gets stolen, or the house burns down, I have records to show police or the insurance company should the unthinkable happen.

Of the thousands of emails I still have saved in my Gmail account, Only these are Starred, and have easy to guess email subjects.

JonnyD

so now all i need to do is hope you left your gmail logged in and i know all your SECRETS!!!

Khamel

This is primarily what I use iwantsandy.com for: sending e-mails to Sandy on details to remember. It makes it so much easier for me to find random information.

TrexSchad

As a writer, I use a special email account as free online storage to hold all of my poetry, articles, short stories, screenplays, lyrics, essays, and novels.

Since I use Gmail, I can specifically label each entry (with as many labels as I wish), and the conversation threads allow me to add quick updates and/or edits.

trumpetfalcon

Blog Smarter says that when she puts an important item in a "safe place" so she won't lose it, she knows she might wind up forgetting where it is and, well, losing it. Her solution is to make a mental note of where she put it, so that, if she forgets, she can recall this "memory" and, voila, never forget where she put important stuff.

somecommenterguy

This idea is a good solution and now that I have an iPhone, it's conveniently handy to do this.

I wind up 'out clevering' myself quite a bit. As of last January, some cool Christmas presents have gone missing, because I put them someplace 'clever.' I have dissected the house, but am unable to find them.

gezortenplotz

Just add Jott to this idea and you don't need to rush to a computer to save the reminder (and no iPhone functionality needed either - sorry gezortenplotz). Set up some filters in Gmail to label these Jotts and you are good to do your 'index' on the go .

Gus H.

I totally just misplaced the two things I have on my short list of important objects (author autographs) because I put them somewhere 'safe' and now cannot find them.

They'll turn up eventually but it drives me nuts.

Maulleigh

How about just being disciplined and putting things back in the *same* place each and every time? Keys go in right-hand desk of study drawer. Passports, birth certificates, social security cards etc. go in manilla folder labeled "ID" in your filing cabinet. And so on.

It's shocking to me how many people frequently lose their keys, for example. Why make life complicated -- just put them back in the same place every time.

jarmod

Hiding things is a really bad "security" practice. Just get a safety deposit box or safe. Put your valuables in there.

gpapilion

Get a safe and/or a safety deposit box at your bank.

LVP

In addition to Jarmod's note, I'd add: where was the first place you looked? That's probably where the item 'belongs'. If you return it to that spot, chances are it will be the first place you look next time, too.

jemilymom

I do something similar with manuals. I'm ALL the time losing those things. When I get a new appliance or any whatchamacallit, I immediately look online for pdf copies of the manual and email to myself. Then I can always find it!

This is a great tip for emailing myself where I put things too. I can't believe I've never thought of that. Now if I just knew where my stuff was now, I could start. *sigh*

magnoliasouth