How to remember things without specific dates?

December 14, 2023 2:54 PM

Are there any tools or tricks for remembering things that don't have a specific timeline or deadline? I'm mostly thinking about this with regard to digital gift cards, store credit that I'm holding after a return, and other "things of value" that I receive but may eventually forget about. I'm good at saving them and want to use them when the time is right, but I know I lose track and am just giving money to corporations! What's a good way to keep an inventory and be reminded of it periodically?
posted by luzdeluna to Work & Money (6 answers total)

Create a document which lists the inventory of items with their use by date in chronological order. Then diarize quarterly in your calendar to review this list to see if you can use them.
posted by saturdaymornings at 4:14 PM on December 14, 2023 [1 favorite]

I track my money in ynab.com. For gift cards and store credit, I track them as 'cash' in their own accounts. It works really well to keep me from forgetting about them since I see them in the sidebar daily.
posted by thatone at 4:20 PM on December 14, 2023 [1 favorite]

If physical, they live on the side of my fridge where I’ll notice them periodically. Digital ones go into the “waiting” folder in my email that I review probably weekly (it also holds event tickets, things I’m waiting for from other people, etc.). If it’s something that expires, it goes in my online task tracking with a due date set a bit before actual expiration date.
posted by momus_window at 4:44 PM on December 14, 2023 [2 favorites]

I set reminders to myself in the reminders app on my iPhone like 1-2 weeks before they expire.
posted by greta simone at 7:41 PM on December 14, 2023 [1 favorite]

Plain ole tickler file is good for this (if you remember to check it).
posted by bluesky78987 at 5:12 AM on December 15, 2023

I also use the reminders app on my phone for these types of things, but with the ‘repeat’ feature set. So, for example, ‘every three months remind about gift card x’. Or, ‘every Monday morning, remind me to fill out form Y’. Then, if the first time the reminder comes up the timing isn’t good, I know I’ll get reminded again in the future. Once the card is used or task is complete, I can delete the reminder.
posted by bitbotbit at 6:30 AM on December 15, 2023 [3 favorites]