The Black Folder and The Manilla Envelope
- Have prescriptions filled to last your trip. ☆Plan ahead and get as many refills at a time as possible before you leave. ☆Keep the printed paper versions in your manilla envelope in your backpack which stays on your person in case TSC needs to see them as you go through security. ☆Using a backpack rather than a handbag leaves hands free for fumbling with passport, etc.
- Take screenshots of important papers such as mortgage, insurance, lease/rental property agreements, tax filing information and decide whether or not you will allow Google photos or Google docs permission to store them online. Keep copies in your manilla envelope in your backpack.
- Laptop. Choose backup options of important photos and information on your laptop. You can also copy to USB and leave with a trusted friend or family member as back up. Email important documents to yourself in case your computer melts down. (Believe me it happens. I´ve purchased 2 laptops in a foreign country over the years) That way you can access them from your Email.
- Lease agreements, (if you own rental property or will rent your home in your absence). Make sure your tenant can contact you on What’sapp. ☆Should you need repairs done in your absence, contact quality repair people via their website and ask them to join you on What’sapp for easy communication or have relationships in place before you leave.
- Pet owners; leave paper copies of pet vaccination and medical conditions info with your sitter. Go over the leash laws in your neighborhood with your sitter. Contact your vet and give them the name and number of your sitter. Purchase a new tag for your pet with your sitter’s contact information on them. Let your vet know how to contact you via What’sapp and email. Leave a credit card on file in case your pet sitter has an emergency.  Â
- Credit cards. Set to travel in the app to let them know what countries you’ll be visiting and what dates. Keep the settings up to date if your travel plans change. ☆ Some credit cards and banks require a phone call for this step so be sure to call all of them before you leave. Â
- Have a conversation with your banker, investment banker, renter, insurance agent, accountant, student loan officer etc. to let them know of your travel plans ahead of time. Set up online bill pay and make sure you know how to execute online bank transfers on the apps.
- In your black plastic, 2 pocket folder keep printed copies of boarding pass, PCR test results, translation of test results, copy of every page of your passport and social security card and the newly required drivers license (for US readers of my blog) front and back copy of all credit cards.
- Headphones and extra battery can be purchased when you arrive at your destination should you decide not to pack them.  You can also purchase adapter plugs and power cords in most major cities, so pack them if you are unsure of what’s available when you arrive.
Personal story.
☆I had to have new heating and air installed in my rental house back in the US while I was in Dublin. The repair man and I handled everything via What’sapp and I asked for photos every step along the way. Do your research. An $8,000 repair in your absence can be terrifying. Judge who you are working with on how quickly and thoroughly they respond to your multitude of questions before you pay.Â