Woodmen rep presents awards
Jared Edwards, field representative with Woodmen of the World Lodge 46, recently presented American History Awards to three students at Bethel Christian Academy.
Receiving the awards May 31 were Connor McIntosh, third grade; Garrett Mozingo, eighth grade; and Carly Sanderson, 11th grade.
Home Solutions: Making a household inventory
A household inventory is a collection of photographs and/or video documentation of all your possessions. As part of the inventory, information would also be collected on the items that are irreplaceable and of great value. This may include date purchased, cost, warranties, and other identifiers and markings.
An inventory of your household furnishings and personal belongings can be useful to you as well as other members of your family. By listing and providing information about each item, the household inventory serves many purposes.
One of the most important purposes is that the inventory provides a basis for filing insurance claims in the event of loss by natural disaster, fire, theft or other types of losses. On the flip side, it helps you decide how much insurance protection you need to adequately cover your household furnishings and personal belongings.
From a financial standpoint, it is functional in planning and forecasting replacement needs for furnishings, equipment and clothing. The inventory can also indicate the monetary value of your possessions for the development of net worth statements.
Once the household inventory has been collected, it should be stored in a safe location so it won’t be destroyed. Consider placing it in a bank safe deposit box or fireproof safe. You may also have a trusted friend or relative keep a copy.
With all the great technology available, creating your household inventory has never been easier. Most cell phones have the capability to video record your property. The most important issue is to make sure that the information recorded is downloaded to a safe place for accessibility when needed. Photograph or video tape your household furnishings and personal items in a systematic way. Inventory one room at a time and photograph or video record everything in the room. Don’t forget to go into closets and take special pictures of the more valuable items. Open drawers and photograph or record contents of each drawer. Lastly, photograph or record storage areas such as the basement, garage, attic and storage units. These areas need to be photographed and recorded in the same way as the interior rooms of your house. Take pictures of the whole area and open doors to cupboards, closets or storage chests.
When it comes to prize possessions, take extra care in documenting jewelry, furs, paintings, coins and other valuables. Group small pieces of similar items together and place on a solid-colored cloth for a better photo. Document the brand name and if the item is extremely valuable, include a member of the family in the picture as proof that the items are really yours.
Remember to keep your household inventory up to date by reviewing it at least annually.
Trudy W. Pickett is extension family and consumer agent at the Lenoir County Cooperative Extension Office, 1791 N.C. 11/55. Reach her at 252-527-2191 or trudy_pickett@ncsu.edu.
