How To's

ANSWER: There are basically three different ways to add an asset: You can add a single asset using the Add an Asset ^< page. You could add all assets this way, but it would be slow. So, there are two other pages that you can use for rapid data entry:

• Use the Home Inventory ^< page to rapidly load your starting set of assets.
• Use the Receipts ^< page to load new assets you acquire.

Just use the Add an Asset page to load a single asset, for whatever reason.

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ANSWER: You bet. MakeLifeEasy can help you keep track of expiration dates and refill dates. The basic MakeLifeEasy model handles both these cases:

• You use the asset lifetime to hold the expiration date of an asset that expires. You can enter either a number of days or a date.
• Prescription drugs will slowly move to the top of the short shopping list just like any other asset that's running out. You can also use the asset lead time properties if you like, but it's not necessary.

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ANSWER:

For gifts that are given to you, use the seller called "-Received gifts-"

If you give gifts to others, it indicates that you have a "need" to give that gift. That is, you needed to buy the gift before you gave it. So, you can create whatever Needs you like to account for that gift. For example, you could simply create a folder called "Other >> Gifts", or you could break it down into:

• Other >> Gifts >> Mom's birthday
• Other >> Gifts >> Anniversary
• Other >> Gifts >> Christmas
• etc.

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ANSWER: The two "(est.)" checkboxes appear on the "Add an Asset" and "Home Inventory" pages because they're likely to be needed there, but not on the "Receipts" page because when you're loading a receipt you know the exact price and date.

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ANSWER: There are basically three different ways to add a need: You can add a single need using the Add a Need ^< page. You could add all needs this way, but there are better ways. There are two other pages that you can use for rapid data entry:

• Use the Add Many Needs ^< page to rapidly load a starting set of needs that you want to manage, and/or to expand your list of managed needs.
• Use the Retrieve a Need page to load new needs as you purchase assets.

Just use the Add an Asset page to load a single asset, for whatever reason.

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ANSWER: "(no need)" is a general-purpose need you can use when you don't want to assign a real need to an asset. This happens mainly when you buy an asset that you don't plan to buy again for a long, long time, if ever. For example, if you buy something on impulse, and you want to record it in MakeLifeEasy, you can use "(no need)". "(no need)" isn't in any top-level folder, so it appears at the top level of the need tree. You can delete or rename "(no need)", but it's not recommended. You can also move it to another folder if you like.

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ANSWER: Great question. Inventory management data for folders and needs is never used in calculations to update (age) inventory. Only asset inventory management data is used for aging. However, when you provide inventory management data for folders and needs, it can be inherited by subordinate folders, needs, and assets. This reduces the amount of data you have to enter.

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ANSWER: Wherever you see the need name as a hyperlink, if you move your mouse over the name, you'll see the details, such as the location, person, and purpose, if they have been assigned. In the Retrieve a Need page, if you see a need name in the list, you can double click on it to pop up the Need Properties page to see those details in the caption. You could also put the user's name in the need name (like "Shampoo (Mom's)") though that shouldn't be necessary.

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