How to track events/occurrences ?

[jowidi]

I use a nifty little tool from http://sciral.com/consistency. It is perfect for tasks that are hard to fit into a conventional calender like:

schedule an appointment with my dentist somewhere between five to seven months from now
Call mom not later than ten days after our last conversation
Go to the gym at least once a week, but no sooner than two days after the last training session

You also can use the tool to easily track how sucessfully you are in implementing a new habit.

The good things: the program is cheap, easy to use and available for windows, mac and iOS devices
The downside: data are not cloud aware, but stored in local text files, so it is hard to keep them in sync across several devices. The new SkyDrive might be a solution for this - still testing.
There has been no significant development of the program for about five years now (except for bug fixes and porting to iOS)

For me it still is quite useful - there is an evaluation version available, if that sounds interesting to you.

[artsinaction]

I used the sticker on the heart medicine packet to remind myself to give the dog the next heart medicine tablet the same day the next month. I put the sticker on the calendar, and wrote the date on the box.

I use the stickers, too, but I put them in the tickler for the following month. It's much more reliable than setting an alarm on the calendar since I might just shut off the alarm and move on. If it's in the tickler, I HAVE to deal with it sooner rather than later.

Thanks for the reinforcement!

Dena

[doug4knfpu]

I often come across times when it would be good to be able to know when something happened in the past such as when did I last change the AC filter in the house, or when did I last rotate my tires or what date did some other event happen

How does everyone keep track of these things ? Tickler file ? Journal ?

Any thoughts or ideas are welcome

I use Event Logger HD for Ipad. Its very convenient for what I need.

[Chas29]

I use a simple text file in Windows using Notepad. I call it LastTime.txt. When opened, it lists all items in alphabetical order which I want to remember the "last time" I changed that item. For example (in alphabetical order):

Air conditioner filter:
4/30/2012
5/17/2011
6/1/2010

Fluorescent Desk bulb:
2/3/2012
8/7/2011
1/17/2011

Tires changed on my Honda:
3/6/2012
9/30/2011
3/30/2011

Well, you get the idea. If you want, you can add notes after the dates, such as last time you changed your tires was at 57,000 miles or whatever.

Chas29

[TesTeq]

Well, you get the idea.

No, I don't get the idea. Why do you need to remember (digitally) that you changed air conditioner filter in 2010?

I need to know the date of the next change - not the previous!

[cfoley]

Sometimes details of past events are useful, like when applying for insurance or buying a house. Having them all in one place makes getting your details right far easier, especially when you are filling out one of these online forms that won't let you save your partially completed information and won't let you look ahead to the next page of questions.

[TesTeq]

Sometimes details of past events are useful, like when applying for insurance or buying a house.

Chas29 gave 3 examples and for me none of them was in this category. At least in Poland.

[Chas29]

No, I don't get the idea. Why do you need to remember (digitally) that you changed air conditioner filter in 2010?

I need to know the date of the next change - not the previous!

Because of personalization, I chose to keep ALL past dates, rather than just the most recent past date. You and others are free to keep ONLY the most recent change if that is what you desire.

The next change is sometimes based on the previous change, so you DO need to know the date of the previous change. That is the point of this thread. See OP.

Chas29

[Oogiem]

No, I don't get the idea. Why do you need to remember (digitally) that you changed air conditioner filter in 2010?

I need to know the date of the next change - not the previous!

There are many things here where you have to provide the date of the last thing as well as knowing when the next one is due.

Health insurance, always requires that you fill out every teatnus shot you have ever had plus all other vaccinations as well as when you are due for next one.You need results of all blood work that has been done in the last 5 years esp if you are taking thyroid or other meds that are tracked by blood results.

When selling any real estate you must know the dates of all service for the last 10 years for major systems like heating, air conditioning etc. plus all regular maintenance. Knowing when you changed the air conditioning filter is important because it's looked at as a way to determine if you are doing proper maint. on your home. This affects the selling price as well as all the various disclosures you have to fill out and a re legally responsible for.

If you have a vehicle that gets recalled for any reason one of the first things they need you to fill out are the dates of all oil changes and other suggested maint. procedures to verify whether you will have topay for the fix or not depending on the recall and the vehicle.

Those are just simple examples but there are many more like that here.

[TesTeq]

Health insurance, always requires that you fill out every teatnus shot you have ever had plus all other vaccinations as well as when you are due for next one.You need results of all blood work that has been done in the last 5 years esp if you are taking thyroid or other meds that are tracked by blood results.

When selling any real estate you must know the dates of all service for the last 10 years for major systems like heating, air conditioning etc. plus all regular maintenance. Knowing when you changed the air conditioning filter is important because it's looked at as a way to determine if you are doing proper maint. on your home. This affects the selling price as well as all the various disclosures you have to fill out and a re legally responsible for.

If you have a vehicle that gets recalled for any reason one of the first things they need you to fill out are the dates of all oil changes and other suggested maint. procedures to verify whether you will have topay for the fix or not depending on the recall and the vehicle.

OMG! I thought that there's less bureaucracy in the US than in the EU (with its rules for a banana shape). Now I am convinced to stay here and enjoy a blissful ignorance about the past dates of meaningless events like a roof repair in my house...