Alot has been said about the possibile effects of the Year 2000 problem. Not so much has been said, however, about what the average person can do on a practical level to prepare for it.

The fact is that it will take time and effort to prepare your home or small business for Y2K. You'll have to make phone calls, spend some money, and, most importantly, plan ahead.

One of the easiest ways to plan ahead is to create a chart that includes the names and telephone numbers of the individuals and organizations you should contact before Jan 1, 2000. The chart also should include space for you to record the date of the call and the Y2K status of each individual and organization.

Don't wait until December to make your calls. You may have to make repeated calls to some individuals or organizations before you get the information you want, so give yourself plenty of time to follow up, if necessary.

Be forewarned that you may have to be persistent in your attempt to get information. Some companies, especially those who are not addressing Y2K in a responsible manner, may not return your calls or they may give you a vague response. Press for details and if you're not happy with what you hear, be prepared to take action, such as looking for another company to provide you that particular product or service. After all, the point of making these calls is so you can be prepared when the big day hits.

To help you create your chart, I've listed several of the organizations and individuals you should contact, or at least research, before Jan 1, 2000. I hope that this helps you in your preparations.

Finance

• Bank, savings and loan, or credit union
• Investment company
• Financial consultant or stock broker
• Your employer's payroll department
• Your pension fund controller
• Your local Social Security office
• Credit card companies
• Loan company

Medical

• Doctor
• Hospital
• Medicare / Medicaid office
• Medical supply company (if you're dependent on certain medical supplies)
• Pharmacist

Utilities

• Electric company
• Gas company
• Water company
• Local telephone company
• Long-distance telephone provider

Computer

• Computer manufacturer
• Printer manufacturer
• Operating system developer
• Financial software developer
• Spreadsheet developer
• Database developer
• Other software developers
• Internet service provider