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1. A few years ago I lost everything on my laptop when I had to reformat the hard drive. I learned later that the technician who walked me through that could have helped me save my data, but by then it was too late. That experience was something that caused me to agonize for days over lost information. Not only did my laptop contain business and personal files, but several years of personal journals. It's painful to even remember how sad that made me feel.

2. Just recently, I learned that Microsoft is no longer selling or supporting Front Page. I taught myself how to use Front Page when I created my website six years ago. I don't really know what I'm doing, but I know how to do it! The way I learned about it was when I made some changes to my website last week. Nothing would upload to the server. When I called my web host to find out why, I was told that since Microsoft no longer supports Front Page, they have stopped supporting it, too. Gee, don't you think it would have been nice for someone to have told me?

3. Not long ago I received an email from Kodak telling me that unless I paid a membership fee, I would no longer be able to save or view the thousands of pictures I have stored on their online site. I decided not to pay the fee because I didn't like feeling like I'd been hog tied and forced to do so.

4. A major upset this year was when I discovered someone was writing checks off my checking account. I didn't lose my checkbook, but someone out there printed checks that looked just like mine, and they even knew my driver's license number. It's scary enough to have someone else spend $2,000 of your money, but really makes you wonder how they got your identification, too.

Ever feel like you're just at the mercy of strangers who don't really care about you? People in foreign lands encouraging you to reformat your hard drive, camera people wanting money for your pictures, credit bureaus wanting money to protect your credit?

Here's what I've done to keep these things from happening again! They say as long as you learn from your mistakes, then you're a better person for having them. So let me share this with you and maybe you'll be spared the experience.

1. I have recently signed up with Carbonite so that everything on my computer is constantly saved online. With my business and personal files on one computer, it scares me to think of it crashing. It took about three days for the initial backup, but now it searches my files and backs them up routinely so that if I ever need to restore my computer, or even if I buy a new computer, the information is there for me. Visit http://www.carbonite.com to learn more about the company and what they do, and then do a search for coupons to get a discount. I was able to save $20 by doing that.

2. If you have a website and don't want to have to worry about rebuilding it, be sure you routinely back it up. I have recently purchased a new site builder through http://www.info.soholaunch.com/?partner=2885. It's a great web-based program with a lot of features. One thing I do like is that I can go online from any computer and make changes. I don't have to be sitting in front of my own laptop.

3. Instead of Kodak, there are plenty of other services for uploading photos. I'm currently using http://www.snapfish.com So far, they haven't tried to get any money out of me. Again, the Carbonite site is putting all of my photos online, so at least they are still stored on my computer. Snapfish is great when you have a lot of photos you want to share with friends.

4. When someone compromised my checking account, it took considerable time filing fraud reports every time a check came through. I called one of the 3 credit bureau companies and filed a fraud report, and they graciously contacted the other 3. I have been paying $14.99 for a fraud service through them, but am going to cancel it today. Instead, I've signed up with http://www.lifelock.com because they offer a LOT more for less money. Visit their website for more information.

I'm not making any money by promoting any of these companies, although my daughter is a SoHoLaunch affiliate and she'll make a few dollars if you use the link I provided. I know she'll be happy if you'll use it instead of going to the main page on the site. However, do I think these companies I've recommended have a lot to offer. It's definitely worth checking them out. If you have a catastrophe - whether a computer crash, operator error, or natural disaster that actually destroys your computer, you'll be glad you've done something to prepare your work.