Need Advice?
Some of the simplest things can often seem the hardest to get right, but we are here to help, with tips and advice about using Smarter Safe to the fullest. There is also on onlin User Guide that explains the basics of registering and using the site here. Don't hesitate to use the contact form if you have any difficulties using the site.
Can I use images from my mobile phone?
Yes, and if you need a free software application to help you get the images off your phone onto your PC, try ShoZu, a freeware program that lets you share photos from your mobile phone via Flickr, Webshots and Textamerica, as well as email them and save them on your PC.
How do I turn a paper receipt into an electronic one?
The simplest way by far is to use a scanner, and most modern home printers are now multi-function machines that let you print, copy, scan or fax. But if you don't have access to one of these machines, or to a scanner, you can do several other things:
- get a scan done at a local internet cafe, copy shop, printer or office supply store
- fax the item to yourself as an email attachment
- or take a photo of it with a digital camera or (better quality) mobile phone camera.
To send a fax as an email, and use the attachment as your electronic document, you will need a fax-to-email account, such as 'Fax Me Now' available fromMediaburst.com, which will give you a free fax number that automatically sends all received faxes to your email address.
To take a photo of a page, try to place the document on a dark or contrasting surface, so that the camera can pick up the detail. A steady hand is required, or use a tripod. Try not to use flash, as this often causes a flash 'white-out' that obscures the details of the document.
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How do I use the Smarter Template?
The Smarter Template is a simple file saved in the CSV (Comma Separated Values) format, which is instantly recognisable to any spreadsheet program. To use it, first download the template file from the Smarter Safe site, and save it to your computer (choose somewhere it will be easy to find later). The Smarter Template download link is on the Premium Members page which you see after you sign in.
When you have saved the file, open it using your spreadsheet program, and you will see a spreadsheet with headings at the top and blank rows beneath.
Starting at the first blank row, add the details for your items one per row. You don't need to enter a value in every column, as long as 'Item Name' is complete that is fine, and you might find 'Location' is a useful way to tell one similar item from another. Although more detail will make a better list, you can always update your list later.
Once you are finished, save your file (you can call it any name you like, but the system will try to use template.csv) making sure you save it as a CSV file.
You can do a quick check to make sure it is all OK by opening the file again.
If all is satisfactory, then you are ready to upload. Sign on to Smarter Safe and select Smart Upload from the menu option, then use the 'Browse' button to find the saved file on your PC. Click on 'Upload' and you should see the results after a few moments. The more items you upload, the longer it will take for the list to display.
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