Resolution #4 of our New Year’s post is to create a home inventory. In its simplest form, an inventory is a list of everything you own. But we want to add some details to your inventory so that it’s a useful, living document. Your home inventory is most helpful for insurance purposes, should you need it. It can also help you keep track of items for servicing, parts or re-ordering, etc.

At a minimum, your inventory should include:

• Name of item
• Description
• Year purchased
• Cost

I also like to include a few other notes such as:

• Warrenty info
• Serial number/ID number
• Spare parts (such a water filter for the fridge)
• Photo of item

Online Resources

Insurance companies provide lots of online resources for setting up a home inventory. There’s really no excuse not to get it done! Here are few you can use that are free of charge and often include iphone/ipad apps:

• Knowyourstuff.org from the Insurance Information Institute
• Homeindex: from State Farm
• Allstate Digital Locker
• Liberty Mutal Home Gallery

These are few basics to get you started, but if you look online, you’ll find lots more free and paid options. Choose something based on your needs. For example, here’s a great program for cataloging your electronics and media, Delicious Library 2. Or, if you need a full blown software solution for your PC, try Collectify. And if you need to manage stuff for multiple properties, StuffSafe has you covered.

Low-tech

For those of you who what to stay low-tech, try using a simple excel spreadsheet or even a handwritten inventory. It’s better than nothing! Download this checklist from the Minnesota Department of Commerce or try our own Mochi Home Inventory Spreadsheet.