There are some people in my life who accuse me of having a short attention span, and they don't get much of an argument from me. It's true. I do. That's why I am grateful so many of you keep me on track by reminding me to give updates and feedback on things I've written about.

Dear Mary: I'm wondering how the Einstein Coat is coming. Please update. I bought the book "The Knit Stitch" by Sally Melville. The yarn needed to make the coat will come to cost about $60. With such a high investment in both time and money, I am afraid of failing. — Jeanne

Dear Jeanne: The lower portion of my coat (the very long piece that creates the entire bottom section of the coat) is nearly done. It's beautiful, but it doesn't look much like a coat yet. The Einstein Coat is rated as a beginner project, so relax! I don't think you could possibly mess this up. And if you do, just rip it out and start again. I'm so good at ripping out that I can tink just about as fast as I knit (that's "knit" spelled backward)! I think it's so much fun. Sixty dollars to make this coat is quite a bargain. I predict you will wear and enjoy it for many years! Keep in touch, because I'll want to know about your progress.

Dear Mary: In response to the woman whose daughter lost everything in a flood, can you tell us how to document our belongings for insurance purposes? — Cynthia

Dear Cynthia: To make a claim, the insurance company will require you to document and prove exactly what you owned that was lost. Ideally, that means presenting a receipt showing the price you paid and the date of ownership. Adding a model number and serial number would also be helpful. That said, life is not always ideal.

What about things you received as gifts, or antiques you inherited? A visual record is ideal, meaning pictures and videos in which you document what items you have and everything you know about them. Make sure that record is stored far from where those items reside so it would not also be lost in a disaster. This is a daunting task, but there are resources — like the one you're about to read about below — that can simplify the task.

Dear Mary: In response to a recent post about the family who lost everything in a flood, the best way to prepare for a disaster is to have a home inventory. Use the free website KnowYourStuff.org, and photograph or video every room. As an insurance professional, I can tell you that if your readers have an insurance claim of any kind, they must prove what they owned in order to make a claim on it. Be prepared in advance. — Holly

Dear Holly: What a great resource. Thanks for the clear reminder that all of us need to be prepared for disaster, and that taking inventory of the whole house is a good place to start.

Dear Readers: Two weeks ago, I wrote about how I curb my urge to quit. Your collective response was nothing short of breathtaking. I received emails from so many of you. I stopped counting at 500, but I didn't stop reading. Your outpouring love, support and encouragement has given me more reasons than I'll never need to do exactly as you asked of me: never quit. I am blessed to have so many wonderful reader friends. Thank you a million times over!

Mary invites questions, comments and tips at mary@everydaycheapskate.com, or c/o Everyday Cheapskate, 12340 Seal Beach Blvd., Suite B-416, Seal Beach, CA 90740. This column will answer questions of general interest, but letters cannot be answered individually. Mary Hunt is the founder of www.DebtProofLiving.com, a personal finance member website and the author of "Debt-Proof Living," released in 2014. To find out more about Mary and read her past columns, please visit the Creators Syndicate webpage at www.creators.com.