5 Minute Prep: Make Copies of Wallet Cards – Safety Saturdays

I can’t remember now where I saw somebody suggest you make copies of wallet cards but I finally decided it was a good idea to do and so I’m sharing the idea with you today. The purpose is so that you have all the information readily available should you lose your wallet or, worse, get it stolen. It’s really simple and should only take but a few minutes…

How to Make Copies of Wallet Cards

Take out all of the cards in your wallet (or purse or day planner) including your driver’s license, credit/debit cards, library cards, health insurance and so on and line them up nice and neat on your copier. Now make copies of the front side and backsides of them. You could alternatively scan them into the computer, if you prefer.

Just line them all up on your copier / scanner and copy the front sides then flip the cards over exactly where they are (to keep them in order) and make copies of the back sides… now try to remember where they all went in your wallet. 😉 Place the copies in a safe place such as in a fire safe.

A few notes:

• Check the copies to make sure the numbers and information are readable. I had to rewrite the number for one of the cards I copied.
• I wouldn’t do this on any public copier (such as at Kinko’s) because, although remote, I believe this data could be retrieves by store personnel.
• If you scan this information into your computer you could add it to a keychain drive along with other potentially useful information to have but if you do be sure it’s properly encrypted.
• Repeat this process every so often–perhaps once a year–or when you get new cards in the mail. This could be a good addition to an task tracking sheet.

Keep the Momentum Going…

After you make copies of your wallet cards this is also a good time to ensure a few other items are up-to-date in your wallet, including:

1. If you include an I.C.E. (“in case of emergency”) card in your wallet that all the contact numbers and pertinent health information is correct.
2. If you keep any medications in your wallet like I do that you rotate out your supplies. The same can be said for other small first aid items like bandages.
3. If you keep an emergency stash of cash in a hidden spot (from YOU) that it’s still there and you didn’t “accidentally” spend it. 😉

This is a SUPER simple prep and one that I hope you go do… right now. If you have any additional suggestions I would be grateful to hear them.