How to create an inventory of your online account passwords for money, devices, utilities and services
In a perfect world, you wouldn’t need to type in your online account passwords to remember them. You might not even need passwords in a perfect world. And the ice cream will also be free. You don’t live in this world, so this gives you a place to record passwords to come back to when your memory fails.
Financial Passwords
The passwords you create for sensitive financial information, including bank accounts, credit cards, and loans, are some of your most important passwords. You should never repeat your password across multiple financial accounts. Make each password unique!
>>401 K
>>IRA and other retirement accounts
>>credit cards
>>bank accounts
>>investment accounts
>>home loan
>>Credit Rating – Reporting Services
>>ATM PIN
>>Financial planning software (including Quicken or Mint)
>>tax preparation software
>>Payroll and check services
>>Auto, student or other loans
Device passwords
Gadgets and devices often require passwords to access user screens or applications. As long as you don’t allow anyone else to use these devices, you are probably safe with these passwords. But still, be sure not to leave those passwords near the tools in question – just to be safe.
>>iPad or other tablet
>>iPhone or other smartphone
>>Computer
>>Laptop
>>Home Wi-Fi
>>Home router
>>Home modem
Utilities and Services passwords
This list includes passwords associated with the bills you pay each month, week, or year. As much as you hope someone else will pay them for you, use a unique password for each of these accounts. These accounts often store sensitive information such as bank account numbers or other personally identifiable information. The best sites store this information securely, but why take the risk?
>>Monthly Utilities
>>electricity
>>Water
>>Sewage
>>Gas
>>heating
>>garbage services
>>recycling services
>>Home phone (land line)
>>cell phone
>>Internet service provider
>>Cable or satellite TV
>>satellite radio
>>Medical (including caregivers, facilities, and pharmacies)
>>Insurance (including health, auto and home insurance)
>>Pay savings accounts
>>Automotive office or department
>>Other billing accounts