Important Papers - What to Take?

[gesam]

As we prepare to retire and go full time, this forum has been a wealth of information and has helped with our comfort level. We will be pretty much liquidating all of our assets, storing some with relatives and thanks to this forum, taking only what we need on the road. One thing I can't find here is what important papers are you traveling with and what are your thoughts on securing them? We will be purchasing a 2017 Classic Twin and I know there's a floor safe but is that adequate? So, for those that are full time, what important papers do you take and what is your thoughts on the floor safe for security?

Thanks as always!

Gary

[AWCHIEF]

Floor safe? First I have heard of safes coming in AIRSTREAM's. I know some people have installed them.

[Lily&Me]

I'll let others speak to actual "safes", but I have always carried what I call a "home book"...a zippered binder within which are hard copies of names, addresses and phone numbers, emergency contact information, shot records for the dog, standing lab orders for me, stamps, blank envelopes, a few notecards with envelopes for the occasional whatever., etc.

Kind of a small, portable desk, easily accessible by the driver's seat, everything in one place.

Maggie

[gesam]

Sorry, maybe I'm confused. I thought there was some sort of locked storage in the floor of the closet. I don't own an Airstream yet, just going off of pictures and what I saw during a walk-through of the trailer.

[dznf0g]

Our lawyer suggested that our living wills be in the glove box of every vehicle so our end of life wishes can be honored without unnecessary delay.

[Vickitn]

Originally Posted by gesam

Sorry, maybe I'm confused. I thought there was some sort of locked storage in the floor of the closet. I don't own an Airstream yet, just going off of pictures and what I saw during a walk-through of the trailer.

The build sheet says they come standard with a security lock box. It is listed under the bedroom decor. Someone we suggested we put our important paperwork on a flash drive and always have it in that form. I don't know how that would work for full-timers who might need access to hard copies. Sure wouldn't hurt to have as a back-up though.

[lovetokite]

great suggestions posted here... thank you

[JCWDCW]

Originally Posted by Lily&Me

I'll let others speak to actual "safes", but I have always carried what I call a "home book"...a zippered binder within which are hard copies of names, addresses and phone numbers, emergency contact information, shot records for the dog, standing lab orders for me, stamps, blank envelopes, a few notecards with envelopes for the occasional whatever., etc.
Maggie

Ditto. Plus your Passport and insurance papers, health insurance all in the same place ..I too use a binder
JCW

[AWCHIEF]

Originally Posted by Vickitn

The build sheet says they come standard with a security lock box. It is listed under the bedroom decor. .

Have you verified/found yours?

[Len n Jeanne]

We try to travel with the following:

1. A copy of all important numbers of cards and documents, in case we lose a credit card, debit card, driver's license, AAA membership, passport, health insurance cards.

2. If you're a retiree who will be away for a long time, you might also want a copy of your bank contact information, pension plan password/s, passwords on anything you don't keep in your head, phone numbers for doctors, dentist optometrist. Records of all prescription meds with the dosages and supplementary health insurance. Eyeglass prescription. Important family or friends phone numbers.

3. If you'll be keeping stuff in a storage locker, your contract and contact information.

4. Seniors national park pass-- free entry and 1/2 price camping on all federal lands. Any traveler's discounts and insurance like Good Sam or AAA. Your AS binder or brief case from the dealer/seller.

5. If you have a dog, a copy of your veterinarian contact info and vaccination records. If the dog has to go to a kennel for some reason, they'll want these. If you cross the Canada/US border, they can ask to see the rabies certificate.

5. All reservations for upcoming destinations.

6. Extras on your prescription meds.

While, these days, many people keep all this information stored electronically, a paper back-up is a good idea. We keep ours in the Bambi, usually with the socks and underwear. We always lock up when we're away from it, and haven't seen the need for anything more secure. Your AS will come with all kinds of nooks and crannies, and probably nobody would think to look in most of them.

[kendrick.l.j]

Gesam- yes, your new Airstream has a floor safe but it is small, at least it is too small for me to put all of my important paperwork so I bought a fireproof safe that I have on the hall closet. If someone really wanted to take it they probably could but I keep the keys in the truck just to make it a tab more difficult.
i am full timing as well and in addition to previously mentioned paperwork I might suggest Will, Living Will, hard copy of Medical History, Medication List, 3 months of medication, Titles to any property, hard copies of Marriage Certificates, Birth Certificate and anything else you would keep in a safe deposit at the bank. Already mentioned, binder with Emergency Numbers and Bank account. I also have hard copies of the last 7 years of Income Tax records. I also keep a flash drive with all important numbers with me in the truck and in my pocket. i take my IPad and phone with me everywhere just in case.

[streaminwild]

Originally Posted by kendrick.l.j

Gesam- yes, your new Airstream has a floor safe but it is small, at least it is too small for me to put all of my important paperwork so I bought a fireproof safe that I have on the hall closet. If someone really wanted to take it they probably could but I keep the keys in the truck just to make it a tab more difficult.
i am full timing as well and in addition to previously mentioned paperwork I might suggest Will, Living Will, hard copy of Medical History, Medication List, 3 months of medication, Titles to any property, hard copies of Marriage Certificates, Birth Certificate and anything else you would keep in a safe deposit at the bank. Already mentioned, binder with Emergency Numbers and Bank account. I also have hard copies of the last 7 years of Income Tax records. I also keep a flash drive with all important numbers with me in the truck and in my pocket. i take my IPad and phone with me everywhere just in case.

I did the same thing in my apartment. The girl I was going out with, stole it. After confronting her, and telling her it's only papers. It show up in the oven. Since I rarely cook for myself, it was six months before being discovered. Her dad was a minister when alive, and she went to church every Sunday. She was 59...go figure. Now that safe has washers and newspaper as a decoy.

[Vickitn]

We are expecting delivery the end of February. I was just reporting what the build sheet says.

[Troutboy]

I would highly suggest an encrypted online password repository program as backup as well. it will securely keep electronic records/files and most importantly, it will store all of your passwords in a very secure manner. Then you just have to remember one, and you can even have double or triple layer protection.

You also can designate an emergency contact that can have access if you grant them access and can set it for a certain length of inactivity or other parameters. For example, if i don't access it for XX days, send an email or text to my son, etc and they will receive that and have access to all of your stuff.

Its a great backup and you can access anywhere you have cell service or internet.