I am an frequent traveler and I frequently find myself on all parts of the globe. I am also a geek at heart which is why I like to bring my toys with me. But which is the most vital and important toy I bring. My laptop? DVD cam? Digital Camera? Smart Phone? It is actually my flash drive.

I have a inexpensive password encrypted flash drive that I carry with me at all times. When I travel, my drive contains scanned images of my passport, drivers license, medical insurance card, travelers checks, all my credit cards (both sides), and of course my flight and lodging information. Right when I check in, my flash drive is usually hidden in my belongings or locked in a safe upon my arrival. It is my ultimate backup for everything. The information that it contains is absolutely priceless when you most need it.

Generally speaking, if you do wind up needing it, you are most likely in a time of crisis. I also store some photos and video from my home, just in case something happens when I am gone, I then have a current inventory of my belongings. You will appreciate this if you ever have to deal with an insurance company. Another handy feature is a current list of phone numbers. This may sound a bit too simple but if you own a cell phone as most people do, most people program numbers in and never actually dial them anymore. If your phone was lost or stolen, how many numbers do you remember. These are just a few new ways for you that you may want to think about using your hand little flash drive like I do.