The Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.) is a nonprofit organization designed to improve public understanding of insurance and how it works. Sounds boring? Think again.

The I.I.I has a website called KnowYourStuff where you can download home inventory software for free. A home inventory is a pictorial archive of all the stuff you own. Not just your house, car and computer, but commonplace items such as baby gear, stereo systems and shoes. And it all adds up.

By creating an inventory of your stuff, and documenting it in pictures, you can:

• Make sure you have enough insurance to cover your belongings in the event of a loss
• Get insurance claims settled faster in the event of a loss
• Substantiate losses for your income tax returns

To download free software to create and manage an inventory of your stuff, go here.
(from Women's WallStreet Journal)