We all have passwords, PINs, and other identifying numbers.  They are for bank accounts, computers, phones, and everything else you can think of.  I *think* I have 12 or 13 of them but it could be more.

And most of us do 1 of 2 things:  we either use the same password for *everything* or we make a list.  And then we put the list where we can find it when we need it–like in our wallet, or on the PDA under “Password” or on a yellow sticky tab on the computer.  Then, when we lose the wallet or PDA etc. we lose everything!  and the access codes too.

Instead of doing that, try this:  make your list of different passwords and put *it* on the computer or PDA.  Then use a password you cannot possibly forget hide the list.  Other lists have suggestions for for a password that is both memorable and hard to crack. I really don’t care what you use provided that it uses letters, numbers and “special” characters.  So if your name is “Elizabeth” you might use the password “31iz@b3th” or you might use “E1*z@b3th” or any other variations you might wish to use.   Similarly, dates can be written “YYYYMMDD” or “ddmmyyyy” and numbers can be written using Roman Numerals.  Anything can be used as long as you don’t forget it.

If you do this, when (not if) you lose your PDA or phone or laptop you won’t lose *everything* –at least as long as you have been backing up *everything* like you are supposed to.  (You have been backing up your data haven’t you?) ;-}