Hello again, CSIers! I’m Rhonda, aka Mrs. Greene, and I have a confession: I’m not very organized. It’s something I’ve been trying to tackle!
If there is one thing I’m terrible about keeping organized, it’s paperwork. I’m terrible about filing things. Last year’s tax returns? I would have to hunt to find them. Last month’s electric bill? It’s around here somewhere… I think. But there is one time I’m always on top of my paperwork: when I’m traveling! It’s one thing to lose track of documents and paperwork around the house; when you’re standing at the front of a line full of antsy, impatient travelers, being unsure where you put your confirmation number is a whole ‘nother level of disorganization disaster.
There are lots of travel document organizers you can buy, but I’ve found most of them to be either too expensive or inadequate for my needs. See, I’m one of those people who prints out copies of everything when I take a trip: flight info, reservation confirmations, public transportation maps, lists of good restaurants in the area, directions to any attractions I know I want to see, and anything else that might come in handy. I figure that it’s better to have too much information than too little! However when you’re carrying around that much paper, it’s all the more important to stay organized. My solution was to make my own travel document organizer from a couple of dollar store items. It holds everything I need, I can find any piece of information in moments, and it only cost $2.00.
You will need:
- Plastic file folder
- Tabbed dividers
Make a list of sections you would like to include in your document organizer. Every trip is different and your needs may vary. My set of tabbed dividers came in a package of eight, so I chose eight categories: flights, hotel, airport transfers, public transportation, food, events, maps, and other. Using categories that fit your needs, label each of the tabs and place them inside of the plastic file folder.
To protect your personal information, add a sheet of paper to the front and back of the file folder. You can use blank sheets, or print out your destination on a piece of paper. This will keep prying eyes from viewing the documents inside the clear folder. (As you can see, I am off to CHA, and I’m quite excited!)
Finally, file all of your information behind the appropriate tab. Remember not to put any important identification, such as your passport, in the file; that should always be kept securely on your person while you’re traveling! If you are traveling for business, you can also use this file to organize your receipts from the trip to save them for tax time. (And make sure you put the file in your carry on bag, not your checked luggage, so you will have your documents handy at all times.) You’ll never want to travel without one of these ever again!
Do you have any other tips for keeping travel documents organized? Please share them!
~ Thanks, Rhonda. Hope you had a great time on your trip!
These are great tips and thank you for sharing them with us today!
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