memory loss

[bobtheduck]

for the life of me i cant remember my pin number for my cash card depite knowing it for years, my mind has just gone blank anyone any tips on to get myself to recall it and what causes these memory blocks?

[Quizmonster]

One method commonly used by 'memory-performers' and for ordinary people for phone-numbers, shopping-lists and lots of other things is to use a code.

Here's one...1 = T, 2 = N, 3 = M, 4 = R, 5 = L, 6 = SH, 7 = C/K, 8 = F, 9 = B, 0 = S/Z. Forget all about vowels, as you can use any of these that you fancy, then make up words, using the given consonant-sounds, to represent numbers. For example, 'NoSe' would mean '20' (N+S) and 'RuM' would mean '43' (R+M). So would 'knees' and 'room', if you wanted. Remember, 'knees' has a silent 'k', so the sounds involved are still just 'n' and 's/z'.

Then devise a dramatic or silly picture to connect your words with the thing concerned.

So, if your PIN is 2043, you must now 'associate' your code-word(s) with a cash-machine. Here's a possibility...have a picture of yourself standing at a cash-machine with your card, when suddenly a pair of mechanical hands come out of it and one twists your head round whilst the other tries to pour rum from a bottle up your nose. 'Nose-rum' should now be indelibly imprinted on your brain when you approach a cash-dispenser and 2043 will leap into your head.

Don't worry about confusing yourself...you won't, as the system can be used daily for different things and it really does not become problematic. Of course, you have to rehearse the 10-letter code...not a major feat...until you know it by heart and what any code-words you create mean automatically.

What would 'moustache' stand for? M+S+T+SH - forgetting the vowels - represents 3016. And 'scarf'? S+C+R+F represents 0748. Over to you!

[Quizmonster]

I should also have provided the words for the ten basic code-letters themselves. 1 = tie or toe, 2 = Noah (envisage a bearded old man on an ark), 3 = Ma (see your own mother), 4 = ray (the fish), 5 = Law (see a policeman with helmet), 6 = shoe, 7 = key, 8 = foe (see an enemy soldier heading for you with bayonet fixed), 9 = bee and S/Z = sea, saw or sow (female pig).

Always make code-words that are easily visualised. For example, 'tune' would be no good as code for '12', since you can't actually it. 'Tony' - if you know someone of that name - or 'tin' would do just fine, though.

[Quizmonster]

There should be a 'see' after 'actually' in the second-last line above. I messed up the italics!

[Gef]

Has Quizzie been drinking or have I? This is much more complicated than remembering a four digit number - or is it just me?

[Josyjo]

Is it 1978? LOL :-)

[zgma]

Some of the tricks I use to remember numbers: For combination locks - I put a sticker on the back with the first initials of 3 different people I know well, and the years in which they were or will be the ages of the combination numbers... so stickers may say "J in 1988, E in 2009, B in 1952". For pin numbers, I choose ones that have personal significance in the first place, so I can fix imagery about the reason for their significance. For instance, the anniversary of my first date with my husband, or the address of a good friend a few years ago - anything as long as I can remember it and it's not easily looked up by someone who may want to defraud me. Other things - sometimes I make up little songs and sing them over and over until I remember. I recently made up a song with my address and phone number, and have been singing it to my 2-year-old son over and over (he keeps requesting it!) so that he can learn where he lives, for his safety.

[Quizmonster]

Dear Gef, my response was based on the idea that - since the questioner refers to 'memory blocks' in the plural - he forgets things other than just his PIN.

My suggested system may sound complicated but, once mastered, it's as easy as falling off a log.

You have a 30-item shopping-list, say? No problem...and you don't even have to write it down! Suppose Item 27 (NK = neck, nuke, Nike, nookie, Nickie or whatever suits you) is butter, all you have to do is relate 'neck' and 'butter' in a silly/dramatic way, so picture someone having their neck smeared in butter.

PS I could give an example using 'nookie', but I'll refrain!

[MrsCheeks]

use your date of birth - you'd find it pretty darned hard to forget that ... uless you want to that is rofl. the more you try to remember what the code is the harder it is to remember - like looing for your keys, it bugs the ehck out of you cos you cant remember. The minute you think stuff it, bingo! you remember!! xxx

[georgit79]

None of those tips are actually helping you to recall your current PIN though, are they? I often have this problem too and find that I can remember the PIN from the position of the keys on the cashpoint. For example, 1478 is three up and one to the right..4562 is the letter 'T', and so on. Have you actually stood at a cashpoint and tried a few (no more, or your card will be swallowed) combinations, to try and jog your memory?