I just found out that I lost my Garmin Nuvi 350 GPS Navigator when I couldn’t find it today. My best guess is that I have forgotten it at my last rental car in New York. The device worked so well for me since I travel around the states and never know where I am going. I was in a jam in Texas because I did not know how to get to my hotel, so I ended up printing directions on Google maps at the airport.
I have lost so many things growing up that it will probably drive me insane if I remind myself by listing them all out. To avoid further lost, I took some time to think of some pointers for us to reduce losing more items since we will never be able to save any money if we keep losing things that will have to be re-purchased.
Scan the area to make sure you didn’t forget to bring anything - This is what most people do. Whether it is leaving the hotel room or the dinner table at a restaurant, it is always wise to do a quick scan if you have missed anything when you leave. From experience, I have caught a few of my own items as well as my friends by doing this.
Never leave anything lying around - Many of us do not even give ourselves the chance to lose anything. When we need to make a call using our cell phones, we put it back in our pockets immediately afterwards. In the case of my GPS device, it would never have been lost if I put the GPS unit back in my laptop bag every time I’m done using it.
When traveling, make a checklist - This is what I really should do. Make a checklist of all the devices that I bring with me including chargers and just check them off one by one when I leave. This should not take more than 30 seconds to do each time but would have saved me $380.
Always put the item in the same place - This is for people that always misplace things. For example, put keys in the same hook or plate that you store coins in so they are always there so you know where it is and can quickly scan whether or not it is missing.
Keep things simple - The less you have the fewer things there are to lose. Owning multi-purpose inventions are not just cool and convenient, but it also lessens the chance that it is lost because of frequent use. For example, if my cell phone is also the navigation tool, chances are I would have found out that I did not bring the unit since I would need the device soon after I leave my rental car, giving me a chance to go back and pick it up before it is too late.
Put your address on your more valuable items where applicable - Not many people will contact the owner if he/she finds a lost item but it certainly does not hurt! Any increases in percentages that your lost item can be found is worth the effort.
Contact the lost and found department – I will contact Hertz to see whether or not my navigator can be found. The chances are slim since these devices are small and easy to sell (I feel sad writing this although it is true), but you never know what will happen so try calling anyway. For something like a suit (I also lost this before but was able to retrieve it), the chances that the lost and found department can find it are much higher.
I sincerely wish that we can reduce the number of things we lose! The more we lose, the more we have to spend and that’s a big money leak.
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Wow that bites, you really got to hate when you loose something so expensive.
I just lost a pair of sunglasses that I have had for well over a year…now if you can help me to not lose them, that would probably save me quite a bit over a number of years.
Thankfully they were just a twenty dollar pair I bought while on vacation.
A person who once worked for a car rental company told me the company policy was that the staff who had to clean out returned vehicles were allowed to keep anything they found. Forgetful customers were told…truthfully…that their lost items hadn’t been turned in to lost & found.
Adam: Sunglasses are another one of those “easy to lose” items. The points about putting it back in the original place after use will help a lot. The other would be to have a strap so it hangs on your neck when you aren’t wearing it.
vh: Wonderful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This must be one of those unwritten company policies since I cannot imagine it to be written or else they will probably be sued!
couple of things to add to your list that I have used in the past..
keys: get yourself a keychain that has a necklace type thing on it. It really helps because it’s long and has a distinct color. Also, every season, go through all your keys and make sure that you don’t have any keys that you don’t need. That will keep things uncluttered. Most people lose keys because they don’t like the bulk feeling in your pocket so they constantly take it out and leave it on a surface (at restaurants, someone’s coffee table, ect)
electronic devices: when traveling, I always put a post card that says in bold letters, (electronics) that way when I first start packing, I make sure all my electronics are packed.
Stephen: Great list
Thanks for the help. Maybe I should have written this post BEFORE I lost my unit since I might have been able to remember with all the tips!
This article came just as I found the cord for a countertop appliance I have. Now, a lost cord isn’t the end of the world and the whole thing could have been replaced for under $30, but I hated to spend that money if I didn’t have to. I did find the cord, thank goodness. It had fallen into the little space between the stove and the ounter. Without it, the appliance was just a paperweight. If the cord had been put into the inside of the appliance as it usually is, I wouldn’t have spent the past few weeks with a useless appliance just sitting there. Yes, it’s my own fault.
Ann: It’s great to hear that you were able to find the missing cord! At least they have a replacement cord for sale, as some people don’t sell these accessories. This means that if you lose one piece of the whole puzzle, you would have to buy a new one.
I use the tip on leaving things in the same place all the time. That way I always know where my stuff is. The quirky thing about me is that for some reason I can remember where things are physically in my apartment (although I can never remember where I park the car at WalMart). So when someone comes over and asks ‘where is the X?’ I can say ‘it is on the top shelf on the right side of the purple G next to the fluffy R’.
Now if only I knew where I parked the car.
LuLu: You can always extend the idea for your car by parking VERY VERY far away
Seriously though, you might want to use some identifier so at least you know which row you parked your car at. Like several different cars in the same row, landmarks like handicap spots, or lining up what the wall over at walmart says to help you figure out where your car is.