Definitely agree on testing backups regularly—learned that lesson myself after losing some closing docs once. NAS setups aren't too complicated once you get past initial setup, and RAID redundancy is reassuring. Pricey upfront, yeah, but could save headaches later... worth considering for important financial docs especially.
"NAS setups aren't too complicated once you get past initial setup, and RAID redundancy is reassuring."
Fair point about NAS systems, but honestly, for someone not super tech-savvy (like myself), even the initial setup can feel intimidating. I opted instead for encrypted cloud storage combined with periodic offline backups on external drives stored securely off-site. Maybe not as robust as RAID redundancy, but it feels manageable and secure enough without a steep learning curve or large upfront costs. Just another perspective to consider...
I get what you're saying about NAS setups, but honestly, RAID redundancy isn't always the safety net people think it is. Had a buddy who swore by his NAS with RAID, and guess what happened? Lightning strike fried the whole thing, redundancy and all. Lost everything. Sure, cloud storage has its own downsides (privacy concerns, subscription fees...), but at least it's physically separate from your home. Personally, I prefer diversifying—some cloud storage, some offline backups, and maybe even a fireproof safe for important drives. Might seem a bit paranoid, but after refinancing my home and dealing with endless paperwork, tax docs, and appraisal reports, losing any of that data would be an absolute nightmare. NAS can be great, but redundancy alone doesn't guarantee peace of mind. Just something to think about.
"Personally, I prefer diversifying—some cloud storage, some offline backups, and maybe even a fireproof safe for important drives."
Couldn't agree more. RAID setups are solid for hardware failures, but they're useless against theft, fires, or natural disasters. Learned this the hard way myself after a basement flood ruined my NAS. Now I keep critical docs (especially property appraisals, tax records, and loan paperwork) in multiple places—cloud, encrypted USB drives stored off-site, and physical copies in a safe. Might seem excessive, but better safe than sorry...
Yeah, RAID setups always seemed a bit pricey for me anyway. After my laptop died mid-tax season (nightmare...), I started using cloud backups plus a cheap external drive stashed at my brother's place. Budget-friendly peace of mind, lol.
