storing addresses and contacts

[kia cat]

we have a combination of about 6 e-mail accounts, 4 mobiles and am looking for a sensible way to store all the info in one file, along with all the personal and business addresses, insurance renewals, banking and salary details, passwords etc.

Trying to find the simplest way of combining it all in a master address book [backed up onto a cd-rw, a usb stick] and having a working copy of this. My current attempts have ended up in a mess, using linked excel files, while keeping it all secure. Any advice, please? Thanks

[waterboatman]

Use a different file for each related set of items, i.e. address book. containing names, addresses, email addresses, phone numbers etc. of friends and family. another for business contacts. Another file for passwords and other security details. Another for bank details. another for insurance etc. Name each file according to contents. Store them on a memory stick and/or a CD backup. It might sound complicated, but once you start it will be easy. everything will be east to access as required. Trying to put it all into one file and you have the mess you describe.

[kia cat]

Thanks Waterboatman - Good Morning by the way - I fear I was trying to be too clever. that does sound a lot more sensible, now why didn't I think of that! Have a Good day.

[waterboatman]

Morning kia. You're welcome.

[magicmerlin]

I would also reccommend that you put your files into a 'zip' file or similar and have the file password protected (in case you lose/misplace portable copy/ies).

You don't want a thieving toe rag to steal your usb stick with all your user names, passwords and PINs accessible, do you?