Today's lesson.

Keeping records the old way is the way to go...
Something like a captain's logbook.
Every captain used to carry one, not sure about it nowadays...maybe they just type stuff on a tablet.
Some of those ship log books were more of a captain's dairy than a log book. Beautifully written.
I have a log book like that too and I even use a fountain pen and a black ink.This way you can still practice calligraphy, which is a forgotten craft, which is a pity.

 

You need to get Excel or Numbers and use the cloud to keep it in. This way you can access it at all times and see all the details. After you have something done put the information in the spread sheet and then you have all the info.

 

I actually keep a couple of logs. Book 1 is load book. Write in each load and the info about that load in the book. Generally 1 page for each load. Book 2, daily log. I log the load I'm on and where I'm at with that load, truck milage at start and end of day. My 4 duty status times to include the time I'll be getting back in a week for that day. And, any other informal note of events for that day. Also put fuel info or truck repair info. Book 3. A specific truck log with fuel, DEF maintenance, etc to include milage and daye. Stuff like that.
It was kind of a pain to get into the regular habit of filling out those logs, but once the habit was acquired, doesn't take much time or effort to keep it up. And, it had really helped in a couple situations where I was able to refer back to that info and get something that went sideways straightened out.
Spreadsheets and databases are useful for data analysis of things, but I'm old school I guess and for recording the original information, nothing beats a good pen and piece of paper!

 

You can do all of that on the spread sheet on the phone. Nothing different than what you are already doing but it is saved so you don't lose any information. What happens if you need that info and you lost your notes? If I lost my phone I can still log in with as different device and get all the info. I get tech is not for everyone but if you have it might as well put it to use.

 

If that's what works for you, just fine. As I said, I'm old school and use pen and paper as the origin logs. BTW, I'm more proficient than most with database work. In my old job I developed numerous relational databases using MSSQL as the actual backend, with interfaces through Access and SharePoint. So, it's not that I'm not competent with creating such, as I said, I just prefer my original logs to be analog. Personal preference. Also don't care much for the tiny screens on cell phones. Only thing I do with my cell phone is text messages and phone calls. Everything else I do on a tablet or my laptop. I had 3, 27" wide format computer monitors in my last job so I'm kinda spoiled about screen acreage.

 

You do you for sure. Was not knocking your way by any means just giving food for thought.

 

"Captains log, 2022. After a lengthy search, there's no intelligent life on this planet, Scotty, beam me up"
I'm not sure one has to go to such lengths, I pretty much remembered what I did to my truck, and that was EVERYTHING, I think if you are unfamiliar with how a truck works or can't do stuff yourself, you may as well bend over, you have to remember, these repair places aren't your friends, they have enormous overheads to contend with, and if you don't know what a "framistan bearing" is, you'll probably get charged for one of those too. My favorite is "shop supplies ", what, I'm buying their coffee too? I'm sorry your shop towels got dirty on my truck, schmuck. It's like the #2 reason O/O's fail, is poor money planning, aka, repairs. If you don't know, you have to listen to someone, and today, like you found out, is trouble.

 

I have a book of repairs. That I keep. Date, mileage. Mainly so I keep my oil changes in order.