What belongs on a portfolio snapshot sheet
The few columns that matter when recording cold-storage balances — and the columns that create false comfort.
A useful portfolio snapshot ledger for cold-storage balances is short. We typically include: label, observation date and time, balance as shown, unit or asset name as displayed, method of reading, and initials.
We omit predicted values, exchange rates converted into another currency on the fly, and commentary about markets. Those notes age poorly and argue with each other. If counsel needs a Hong Kong dollar figure, they can attach a separate valuation letter dated the same day — outside our sheet.
If a reading is partial because a screen flickered or a battery failed, the honest entry is “unverified — retry scheduled,” not a remembered number from last month. Memory is not an observation.