Retaining important documents and keeping them together in a safe place is important for a number of reasons. A few examples include:

1. If the IRS audits you, all of your tax records and receipts for the past 6 years will be readily available.

2. If you go to sell your automobile, RV, boat, or even your house, the titles or deeds will be easy to find.

3. In case of a medical emergency or death, your will, living will, power of attorney, and other important medical and legal information will be available to family members and health care providers.

You should keep your important papers in a central place, preferably a fireproof, tamper-resistant, and bolted down safe. A safety deposit box at a bank is also an option. What papers should you have? Read on to find out.

Insurance
• Home owner’s insurance
• Renter’s insurance
• Life insurance
• Health benefits insurance
• Other insurance, such as flood and automobile

Having your insurance policies in a safe place is beneficial in case you need to make a claim. Don’t rely on the insurance company to keep track of your policy. Protect yourself by keeping your own records and knowing what your policies say.

Medical & Legal
• Will
• Living Will
• Power of attorney
• Master list of your physicians and their phone numbers
• List of medications you’re allergic to
• In case of emergency numbers
• Marriage certificate; divorce papers
• Adoption paperwork
• Citizenship proof
• Important contracts
• Any lawsuit settlement papers

Your Living Will should be readily accessible, especially if it contains a Do-Not-Resuscitate order. Keep a copy in your safe, but also have one near your front door, on the fridge, or in another easy to find place. A master list of your health care providers, along with their phone numbers, and your emergency numbers, should be placed together with your Living Will.

Financial
• Tax returns
• Stock certificates or brokerage statements
• 401, IRA, and other retirement info
• Credit report
• Bankruptcy records
• A list of all bank accounts, credit card accounts, and other financial assets or debts
• Net worth statement
• Check stubs

Tax returns for the past 7 years should be retained in case of IRS audits. A list of all bank accounts, credit card statements, and all other assets and debts is helpful if you need to borrow money from a bank or other party, as they will want to know if you are a good risk. It is also helpful for whomever inherits your estate. Keeping check stubs is a good idea if your retirement benefits are calculated via the number of hours you’ve worked in a lifetime.

Real Estate
• Property deeds
• Mortgage agreements
• Personal property inventory sheet and receipts

A record of your personal property is helpful in case a fire, flood, theft, or other disaster ruins your belongings. Keep all receipts, and if possible, photo documentation.

Misc.
• Social security card
• Birth certificate
• Other forms of identification?
• Titles to automobiles, RVS, boats, etc.

Why should you have an emergency kit? Here are ten common reasons.
• blackout
• snow storm
• ice storm
• wind storm
• flood
• landslide
• tornado
• hurricane
• earthquake
• terrorist attack

If any of these disasters occur in your area, basic services such as electricity, gas, water, and telephones will likely be unavailable. You will have to rely on yourself for food, water, and other household items. The Federal Emergency Management Agency recommends you have a three day stock of food, water, and other supplies for each person.

You can create many types of Emergency Kits. Advised kits include:
• Home Kits
• Car Kits
• Pet Kits
• First Aid Kits
• Sanitary Kits

You can also purchase ready-made kits from online suppliers and some retail stores.

To create your own kit, start with a container large enough to hold all the items you will need for your particular kit. A large bucket of plastic container will work well for most items needed for a basic home kit. Store larger items, such as water jugs, near the home kit in a convenient location. Car kits, pet kits, first aid kits, and sanitary kits, can be stored in smaller containers, which can be placed inside your large home kit if desired.

Basic Home Emergency Kit
Recommended items to include in a basic home emergency kit include:

• Water. 1 gallon per person per day, with a minimum 3 day supply.
• Non-perishable food. 3 day supply per person.
• Mess kit, including can opener, all-purpose knife, aluminum foil, utensils, plates, etc.
• Small cooking stove and cooking fuel.
• Waterproof matches.
• Flashlight and extra batteries.
• Battery powered radio.
• Small fire extinguisher.
• Small, basic toolset which includes, screwdriver, wrench, and pliers.
• Household bleach. May need to treat water supply.
• Survival tools such as a mirror, compass, emergency candles, small shovel, and a space blanket.
• Dust masks.
• List of emergency numbers and contacts.
• Extra cash.

Other handy items to have in your kit include scissors, needle and thread, duct tape, rain gear, and hats and gloves.

In your basic home emergency kit, also include a separate first aid kit, sanitation kit, and pet kit if applicable.

Emergency Sanitation Kit
Be sure to place your emergency sanitation kit items in a waterproof container. Recommended items to include in an emergency sanitation kit include:

• Toothpaste and toothbrush.
• Hand sanitizer and disinfectant.
• All-purpose biodegradable soap, such as Dr. Bronner’s.
• Wash cloths. The Go! Pill Towels at Useful Things would be perfect.
• Toilet paper, sanitation wipes, and feminine products.
• Sunscreen and insect repellant.
• Nail clippers and tweezers.

Emergency Pet Kit
Don’t forget to prepare your pet for an emergency! Recommended items to include in an emergency pet kit include:

• 3 day supply of food and water.
• Medications.
• Leash, collar, and name tag.
• Name and number of veterinarian.

First Aid Kit
First aid kits are readily available pre-stocked in most pharmacies. A good first aid kit will be compact and include:

• A variety of bandages.
• Sterile gauze and tape.
• Antibacterial ointment.
• Sanitation wipes.
• Small scissors and tweezers.
• Medical grade latex gloves.
• Burn cream and sting relief ointment.
• Aspirin and other pain relievers.
• Antihistamine.
• Cold pack.
• Thermometer.
• CPR manual.

Don’t forget to include any prescription medications you or a family member need. If you or a family member wear glasses or contacts, be sure to stock the kit with extras.

Emergency Car Kits
You vehicle should be equipped with a first aid kit in addition to the following emergency items:

• Signal flares.
• Flashlight and batteries.
• Jumper cables.
• Extra fuses.
• Battery powered radio.
• Rain gear.
• Small toolkit that contains screwdriver, pliers, wrench, etc.
• Chains and a tow strap.
• Small shovel.
• Bottled water and small food items such as granola bars.
• Blanket.
• Maps.

For more information on surviving disasters and preparing for them, visit The Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Plastic is everywhere. Plastic bags, plastic wrap, plastic bottles, plastic silver wear, plastic containers, plastic food trays, plastic jugs, plastic liners, plastic fencing, plastic siding, plastic tubing, and on and on. On a daily basis, the average person probably uses or encounters dozens of products containing plastic in only a few hours. Think: shower curtains, shampoo and conditioner bottles, mouthwash bottles, medicine and vitamin bottles, juice bottles, milk cartons, plastic sandwich bags, bread bags, Tupperware, pens, clothing, furniture, carpet, water bottles, computers, and many more. We’re literally bombarded with plastic. So, how safe are the plastics we’re using? A quick look at many plastics can tell you—if you know what the numbers mean.

Plastic Types by Number
In 1995, to assist in the recycling of plastics, the Plastic Bottle Institute of the Society of the Plastics Industry, developed a number scheme to mark plastic types.

The system consisted of 7 identification codes.







1. Plastics marked with a 1 is polyethylene terephthalate, or PET/PETE. This is a very common plastic found in soft drink bottles, water bottles, mouthwash bottles, peanut butter containers, salad dressing containers, vegetable oil containers, and the like. It is light-weight and easy to recycle. It poses a lower risk of leaching toxic breakdown products.

2. Plastics marked with a 2 is high density polyethylene, or HDPE. This type of plastic is found in milk jugs, juice bottles, detergent containers, shampoo and conditioner bottles, trash bags, butter tubs, yogurt containers, PEX piping for water systems, and more. Most recycling programs accept HDPE, and it poses a lower risk of leaching toxic breakdown products.

3. Plastics marked with a 3 are vinyl or polyvinyl chloride (V or PVC.) Products containing this type of plastic include: detergent bottles, shampoo and conditioner bottles, shower curtains, cooking oil bottles, clear food packaging, siding, windows, outdoor furniture, floor tiles, and piping. PVC contains chlorine, a toxic gas, and vinyl chloride is a known human carcinogen. The making of PVC releases dioxin into the atmosphere, as does burning PVC. Never cook with products containing PVC, and try to avoid using PVC plastics for any food or drink. When using household products that contain PVC, such as shower curtains or windows, give them time to off-gas before installing.

4. Plastics marked 4 are low-density polyethylene, or LDPE. LDPE is commonly found in squeezable bottles, shopping bags, produce bags, food storage containers, clothing, furniture, and carpet. This plastic is not often recycled. It does, however, contain a lower risk of leaching toxic breakdown products.

5. Plastics with a number 5 contain polyproplene, or PP. Yogurt containers, syrup bottles, drinking straws, medicine and vitamin bottles, and plastic food containers commonly use #5 plastic. This is often considered one of the safest plastics to use, and most recycling centers will accept it.

6. Plastics marked 6 are polystyrene, or PS. Commonly known as Styrofoam, polystyrene is found in packing peanuts, food containers, egg cartons, insulated coffee cups, compact disc cases, and more. Evidence has shown that polystyrene can leach toxins into food. It’s difficult to recycle, as well.

7. Number 7 plastic is the Other category. It consists of any other plastic not named in types 1-6. Products containing “other” types of plastic include: baby bottles, 3-5 gallon water jugs, plastic coated tin can linings, dental sealants, and any other rigid food type containers. Older types of Tupperware and Nalgene bottles contained #7 plastic. While some #7 plastics are safe, the rigid polycarbonate varieties are dangerous, and many companies, such as Nalgene, have discontinued using them. Polycarbonate has been shown to leach bisphenol A, a hormone disrupter.

Considered Safer







Avoid

New credit card laws started to take effect on August 20th, and will continue through 2010. The new legislation, entitled the “Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility, and Disclosure Act,” is intended to help consumers better understand their credit card policies in order to act more responsibly when taking on debt. It’s also intended to set guidelines for how financial institutions should handle billing, rate increases, and other policy changes. The new laws come with pros and cons for both sides. Here’s what you should know.

New Laws as of August 20, 2009

• Credit card companies must now mail bills 21 days in advance, instead of the prior 14 days. This includes Home Equity Lines of Credit (HELOC) that are accessed by a credit card. Also, payment must arrive by 5 PM on its due date, instead of in the morning. If the due date falls on a weekend or holiday, the customer will not incur a late fee if payment arrives by the next business day.

• Credit card companies must give their customers 45 days notice before raising interest rates, instead of the prior 15 days.

Laws Scheduled to Take Place in February 2010

• Interest rate hikes cannot be applied to an existing balance, unless a promotional rate expires, the variable indexed rate increased, or the customer is late on a payment by 60 days. If the customer falls into delinquency, the bank must restore the prior interest rate once he or she makes six months of consecutive payments. Also, universal default—the practice of raising a customer’s interest rate based on their payment records with unrelated creditors—will end.

• Payment on a balance will apply to the portion with the highest rate first, instead of the other way around, as previously done.

• Double cycle billing will be banned. Double cycle billing is a common practice which averages a customer’s daily balance from the current and previous month to determine finance charges.

• There will be no more overlimit fees. If the cardholder wishes to allow overlimit transactions, they must notify the credit card company.

• Credit card companies must disclose how long it will take to pay off the current balance making only the minimum payment each month, as well as notify the cardholder what they must pay each month to pay the credit card off within a certain time frame.

• Adults under the age of 21 cannot get a credit card unless they have proof of an independent income, or the co-signature of a parent, spouse, or other legal guardian.

Laws Scheduled to Take Place in Summer 2010

• Issuers of Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover gift cards will be required to print dormancy fee information on the card, and sellers of the card must inform buyers of that fee. Inactivity fees cannot be incurred until the card has gone unused for 12 months.

• Gift cards cannot expire sooner than five years. Currently, gift cards can expire within one year.

The Unintended Consequences of the New Legislation

• With these new consumer protections, credit card companies are anticipating a fall in revenue. The result? Interest rate hikes. Companies started raising rates on millions of cardholders earlier in the spring.

• Decrease in credit limits. Because banks can no longer easily adjust the terms under which they loan the consumer money, they’re making these adjustments at the outset.

• Fixed rate credit cards are disappearing.

• Annual fees are making a come back.

Selling items online is a great way to earn some extra cash. Whether the stuff you’re trying to get rid of is old, new, handcrafted, or a big ticket item, the internet has a place for you to market anything and everything. In recent years, new security measures on websites and consumer awareness has also made it much safer to buy and sell online. But how can you be successful at it? This article will guide you through the online selling process. From where to sell your stuff, to when to place the ad, to how to price your items, and more, you will learn what you need to know to sell your stuff online.

The Big Three

• eBay
With locations all over the globe, and items in every category you could possibly imagine, eBay is one of the largest online marketplaces in the world. eBay has an auction format, fixed pricing, and classifieds. If you’re a first time seller on eBay, read their Top Ten Tips for selling. You must start with an auction style listing until you gain status. Once you gain points, you can sell at fixed price. Fees may apply.

• Amazon
Amazon allows sellers to sell items within the Amazon categories. Some of their more popular categories are:

Books
Movies, Music, Games
Computers and Office
Electronics
Home and Garden
Apparel, Shoes, Jewelry
Sports, Outdoors
Tools, Auto, Industrial

If you’re a first time seller, be sure to check out their New Seller FAQ, and be advised that while marketplace listings are free, Amazon requires a 6-15% commission plus closing fees if you sell an item.

• Craigslist
Craigslist is one of the most popular online classified listings site in the world. Unlike most online marketplace sites, posting an ad on Craigslist is completely free. It’s also extremely easy. Chose your area, what kind of ad you want to place, and fill out the form. Potential buyers can reach you via information, such as your phone number, that you voluntarily place in the ad, or via an anonymous email address courtesy of Craigslist.

Plus Three More

• Yahoo
At Yahoo, you can post ads for your big ticket items, such as automobiles and real estate. Fees do apply.

• Half.com
Half.com is part of the eBay family. Use this site to sell your books, movies, games, and music. There is no start up or listing fee, but a commission is collected if you sell your items.

• Oodle
Posting on Oodle is free and targeted to your local area. Post everything from real estate to furniture, collectibles, musical instruments, electronics, pet supplies, and more. There is even an area to post free stuff.

And Three For Businesses
If you’re a business owner or independent artist, check out the following sites that allow you to set up your own storefront and sell your stuff. Fees vary per site, so check the fine print.

• Big Cartel
Big Cartel caters to bands, record labels, clothing designers, artists, crafters, and other independent businesses.

• Etsy
Etsy specializes in all things homemade. Artwork, books and zines, candles, clothing, furniture, jewelry, quilts, and toys are just a few of the things you can sell at Etsy.

• Shopify
Almost any small business with a product to sell can use Shopify.

Tips for Selling Success

1. Use descriptive titles. Include such things as size, brand name, color, year, and any other pertinent information that will help a potential buyer select your item. A TV isn’t just a TV. It’s a 2008 40″ Widescreen Sony LCD with 1080p, for example. Also, be aware that people describe things differently. A sofa can be a couch, a laptop can be a notebook, and an Apple computer can be a Mac. If you can, use both terms, adding a slash between them. One last thing—spell check your ad. It should be free of errors and easy to read.

2. Provide clear and detailed photos. An ad without a photo often gets passed up. People want to see the items they are interested in. Your photos should be of high resolution and well-cropped. No one wants to look at blurry pixels, and no one wants to download an oversized photo that doesn’t even fit on their screen. If you need help editing your photos, try an online image editor. This Useful Things article links to six good web-based image editors.

3. Price it right. Do your research before you settle on a price. Look at past eBay auctions, and other items of similar quality on Craigslist and Amazon. Make sure to check the going rate in your specific area if you’re listing on a site like Craigslist. Pricing too high right out of the gate in hopes that someone will bite, and then reducing later, often backfires. Price it right to begin with, and get it sold!

4. Timing is important. When should you place your ad? It does matter. If you’re listing on eBay, auctions should end at a time that’s convenient for bidders. Often, the best time is between 5 and 7 PM Pacific Standard Time. On Craigslist, a lot of people post on the weekends. You will often get a better response if you post during the week. Your ad won’t get buried as quickly this way. Try posting on Friday mornings. That way, your ad beats the weekend rush, but is still current enough that weekend shoppers view it.

5. Good salesmanship. As a seller, you need to cater to your customers. Answer as many questions as possible, be as descriptive as possible, and be available. If you can’t immediately answer a phone call or email, get back to the person as soon as possible. People have short attention spans. They will move on.

Minding the Details
Selling stuff online is easy, but you do need to pay attention to the details. Can you ship the item you want to sell? Will you accept a personal check for it? You don’t want to get ripped off, or incur extra expenses because you didn’t think the sale through.

• Shipping. If you’re selling larger items, consider first listing your ad through a place like Craigslist where the buyer is responsible for retrieving the item. If you’re willing to ship the item, get accurate dimensions and weight and run a cost estimate on how much it will cost to ship before you post the ad. Some sites, such as eBay, have their own shipping center which makes this easier.

• Payment. How do you want your money? If you’re posting in classifieds, you need to decide beforehand whether you will accept cash only, or checks as well. With sites such as eBay, you send the buyer an invoice, but you still need to determine whether you want them to send you payment via PayPal or standard mail.

• Security. The sites listed above all have their own security measures, but there are still risks involved. Posting your contact information, for example, can lead to advertisers calling or emailing you. Be aware of all the potential risks, and do your best to mitigate them.

• Read the fine print. Before placing any ad on any site, read through the Terms and Conditions. You want to know what you’re getting yourself into, how much placing an ad will cost you, if the site requires a listing fee and/or commission, how long your ad will stay active, etc.