Full timers and important papers

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Matlock

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Just wondering what everyone is doing to keep important papers secure and easily accessible.
I've shredded stuff and am now down to one 4 drawer file cabinet. I will continue to discard papers from it as things change, age... but..... It's about 90 lbs worth as is, excluding file cabinet. No family members to leave it with.

Any suggestions?
 
Me and Vic are not full timers,only about half timers,but we take everything except our property deeds with us.Never know when you may want to trade,buy or sell a vehicle or camper.
 
An issue I have been pondering for awhile as well.

I'm a full timer, and am somewhat reluctant to keep very important papers with me in the vehicle.
For the time being, I have a few tote boxes of the important stuff stashed at my desk at work.(semi hidden)

I do need a better long term solution though...
 
I shredded as much as I could but there were still all the previous 7 years worth of tax returns and the related paperwork that had to be kept.

The file cabinet is sitting in the cargo trailer that I use for storage. A friend volunteered his back yard as a parking spot for the trailer.

The stuff I felt I had to bring with me went in to one plastic file tote and is stashed under the bed. Next year I expect I might be able to reduce the onboard files to something that will fit in a soft sided briefcase. But I'll always be finding a spot for 7 years worth of tax returns. Thankfully, some day they won't be 25 pages each plus all the bills to support my expense deductions.
 
Don't ever leave things like account numbers, social security cards, birth certificates, passports or passwords written down in the vehicle. I,d recommend always bring them with you ( stores, hikes, visiting friends...whatever). You can use a small pack or money belt.
 
A scanner and a flash drive,,,,,,,,,,,,,,or a portable hard drive if you have too much for a flash drive.
 
Two places NOT to store important papers: In the van (could be stolen / lost in an accident) or in a safety deposit box (no one could get to them if you're dead / incapacitated).

I have the important stuff stored at a relative's house.
 
I don't have ton of papers to keep. I'm planning on installing a one of those gun safe boxes in my van and have my papers in that.
 
Matlock said:
Just wondering what everyone is doing to keep important papers secure and easily accessible.
I've shredded stuff and am now down to one 4 drawer file cabinet. I will continue to discard papers from it as things change, age... but..... It's about 90 lbs worth as is, excluding file cabinet. No family members to leave it with.

Any suggestions?

Well, all tax returns I do are scanned. I also have scanned my SS card, title to vehicle and other items. All kept on a 4 G flash drive I keep on keychain.

Not much else...Medical is online, no papers to keep.
 
Bob Dickerson, "Me and Vic are not full timers, only about half timers, but we take everything except our property deeds with us. Never know when you may want to trade, buy or sell a vehicle or camper."
Those are reasons why I'd be kicking myself if I didn't have them along for the ride, just in case. Thank you.

Almost There, I keep my tax returns filed on-line with the accountant dude, all supporting receipts, etc are in a box still looking for a home.

Raven+Squid, I do keep many of those items you mention with me as a matter of habit. The passport, DD214 and some SS papers are just too numerous to carry unless I carry them a briefcase.... and that's not gonna fly with shorts/tennis shoes and a well worn t-shirt. If I had the right back-pack maybe...

rvpopeye, Scanner and flash drive are a good option for many items. I do have a bunch of stuff on my mobile cloud (hard drive).

TMG51, Thanks, I can make use of a safety deposit box for some items like supporting papers, receipts used for taxes. If I'm brain dead or just plain ol dead I'd let the state/federal guys figure out what's in it. I can drop by the bank once or twice a year to unload....  
"Almost There" Looks like I have a workable home for one file drawer...... 3 drawers to go.

Gigi, Good idea on the gun safe. I do have a small gun safe that I might be able to through-bolt into the frame. I'll check on what a heavier duty paper size one with a decent fire rating goes for.

Wanderer, I do like the flash drive idea as you and rvpopeye have mentioned. Have either of you run into a situation that called for the original item rather than a scanned copy? I am concerned, maybe without reason, but still I'd be PO'd at myself if I were 1000 miles away and an ER or XX wanted the original, not a copy.

Keep um coming... Lots of things I haven't considered...
 
Sure
Drivers License , Passport , Birth Certificate might be asked for in original form.

Back to the original q.
I also have scanned ALL of my photos as well.
 
Matlock said:
TMG51, Thanks, I can make use of a safety deposit box for some items like supporting papers, receipts used for taxes. If I'm brain dead or just plain ol dead I'd let the state/federal guys figure out what's in it. I can drop by the bank once or twice a year to unload....  

Keep um coming... Lots of things I haven't considered...

Just make sure it's not your will or DNR in there! :D
 
Matlock said:
Wanderer, I do like the flash drive idea as you and rvpopeye have mentioned. Have either of you run into a situation that called for the original item rather than a scanned copy? I am concerned, maybe without reason, but still I'd be PO'd at myself if I were 1000 miles away and an ER or XX wanted the original, not a copy.

Keep um coming... Lots of things I haven't considered...

Now the hospital can find out medical stuff online in moments. Many hospitals have "Agreements" to share info. My Mother went in once, another hospital had a cardiogram from 20 years ago avilable...No problems sharing.

If it was say a title to a vehicle, then I can produce it (Have small storage) but I did the scanning to save the problems of grabbing a box and instead, grab a key. The state can send a new one , as I can claim that I "Lost" the original and show them the copy....Birth certificate, got it and my license..I sleep in my street clothes so always carry my wallet.
 
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