Even though I hate computers, I hoped when I got my first one that there would be some really easy way to keep track of what I had and did not have in stamps. I have had a computer for 6 years now, and I have yet to see any program that keeps track of stamps that doesn't require more effort than the system I have used for almost 50 years. For you computer lovers who are appalled by this statement, save your enthusiasm for those who don't know any better. There are all kinds of programs out there that do all kinds of things. The problem with them is that they require huge amounts of data entry, and none of these programs quite do what I want. In addition, I don't have faith in the permanence of an electronic entry versus that of a pencil. I do use computers for a few limited tasks. I use spread sheets for sending lists of what I have to people who are doing census type work for some of the obscure areas I collect. I use spreadsheets to make want lists for trading with people. I have found that I can make a want list for a fairly large country in under two hours this way. But again, on the negative side, the speed at which one types does have a big effect on the utility of any computer program, so even though I can type at a good rate, prefer to keep track with a pencil.

I use my current Scott catalogs for my inventory. For each stamp I have, I circle the Scott number on the left side of the column. I then circle the price for mint if I have a mint stamp and/or I circle the price used when I have a used stamp. If I need a better copy, I place a small ��x�� after the color description. When I have a stamp in my stockbook that has not yet been mounted, I put a slash through the Scott number and a slash through the mint or used price as appropriate. If I have a replacement copy that has yet to be mounted, I circle the ��x��. If I have additional material beyond the Scott listing such as imperforates or inverted surcharges or whatever, I put a symbol after the color description. The symbols I use are somewhat like those used in Michel. If you are interested, there is a listing of these symbols in the front of Michel with their English meanings.

You are probably saying, ��Well, that's nice, but what do you do when you get new catalogs?�� First of all, I only buy new catalogs once every seven years. When I do, I laboriously transfer all the markings from the old catalogs to the new. I admit this is a lot of work, but it has benefits; the major being that when I am done, I have a much better overall picture of my collection than I could get any other way. I find those countries where I am still missing lots of cheap stamps. I make lists of these to look for in auctions and at shows (when I can get them cheaply). I know also from this process when it becomes worthwhile to make want lists and deal with the dealers that service want lists for cheap stamps. I find things that don't seem correct and I check the entries against my albums at this time. I get ideas about new things to collect; and most importantly, I don't have to worry about a power failure or computer crash wiping out my records.

If you like entering data, if you like filling in boxes, if you like being modern, then get yourself a program for inventorying your stamps. If you want to get to know your collection and want to save time, try my method. You have to look the stamps up in the catalog in the first place, why not use the catalog as your inventory. If you are really cheap and don't collect new issues, you can keep the catalogs you use for inventory for over ten years with a few tape repair jobs and a little care.