Coping 101: Finding A Computer Repairman and Living Out With Your Computer

You hear about it happening, but you never think it will happen to you. Then, it does.
Your home computer goes down.

It happened to me last Thursday. I got home, fired up my laptop and did some chores. When I came back to the pc, I expected to see my ocean desktop picture and my wi-fi icon on. What I got was a black screen.

Oh no! What do I do?

You know that panic that hits you when your car breaks down? Or when you hit a deer? That's what this is like.  The only difference is, I have a car repair guy! Who has a computer fixit guy?

Lesson number one:  Have the name and number of an IT guy available.

The next morning, thanks to our little show, I got a few names of people in the area who either own a Computer Repair Company or work on the side. Now, you can't just take the first name you hear and go. At least I can't. It's like vetting a car mechanic. Make sure they are good and don't work out of Mom's basement.

Lesson number two: Do your research before handing your computer to a stranger.

I did my homework and chose a repairman. I go Tuesday. Here's where it gets tricky.  What if I have to live without it for a few days? I have to prepare for that! How am going to use my Quicken? Or play games?

Lesson number three. Get a life and use old fashioned paperwork as a backup for financials.

I may be separated from my laptop for a while. So I thought about life without it.
Then I thought about how my Grandmother lived without one all her life. She  had her writing desk, she wrote letters, kept  financial and personal journals.

Paper and pen was sufficient. And (bonus!) she didn't feel compelled to be near them 24/7. Can you imagine?

Maybe this is my chance to get the technology monkey off my back. I could start living. Getting out. Experiencing the life I read about online. Hmmmm. This computer breaking could be a life changer! I guess we will see.

Could you unplug for 24 hours?