UPDATED 10/6/16
Turn on the news, and you will see reports of hurricane surges, flash flooding, and wind damage from Hurricane Matthew.
Recent storms are a reminder that you can lose everything a flash, even if you don't live in a flood zone.
So making a record of everything you own is so important, if you hope to recoup all your losses from your insurance company..
The simplest thing: Use your phone to take pictures of everything from your HDTV.... to appliances.... to your movie collection.... to jewelry.
If you still use a home video recorder, simply walk around your house showing all your valuables, and narrating as you go.
But times and technology have changed, and in this smartphone age, there's an app for that.
Apps That Inventory
We tried out the $4 MyStuff2 app for the iPhone and iPad: Theres also a simpler, free version, called MyStuff2lite.
Both get good ratings, but are for Apple products only.
For Android phones, there's the MyHomePro app, also $4. You take pictures, then scan barcodes or type in a description.
Another high rated, but more pricey app is the aptly-named HomeInventory app, for iPhone or iPad. But it is $19.
There's also a free app from Liberty Mutual Insurance that gets good reviews called HomeGallery.
We tried it out and were impressed, given that it costs nothing. Best of all you don't need to be a Liberty Mutual customer.
State Farmrecently launched a similar freeHome Index app for its customers.
Finally, you can inventory your home on one of the original websites that do this for free:KnowYourStuff.org.
As always, don't waste your money.
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