Entry bubble Tips for Traveling Overseas

By: Sam | February 06, 2008 | Category: Travel

Next week, I’ll be in the Eternal City exploring ruins, drinking wine, eating gelato, and of course, shopping. But before I can say Ciao, I need to make sure I’m prepared for my trip overseas.

Thanks to Marybeth’s post on travel docs, I have the 411 on everything from entry requirements to the exchange rate‚a necessity for Woman With Luggagecalculating how much the “must have” Italian shoes and bags will cost me. Speaking of shopping, it’s a good idea to make note of your credit card limit and to find out how to report a loss of your card abroad. And don’t forget to get a number that you can call while overseas since the 800 numbers don’t work. You may also want to ask if your card has a “foreign currency conversion fee,” which can sometimes be up to 3%.

I’ve also learned from other overseas trips to leave my travel itinerary and copies of important documents (passport, will, driver’s license, etc.) with a family member or friend. But what do I do if my passport is lost or stolen in Italy? Or, I unfortunately get sick?

USA.gov’s International Travel section is full of useful links that can answer these questions and many more. You can get customs and health info, tips for long-distance calling, emergency services facts, and much more. There’s also important info on how to stay safe on your trip abroad at Pueblo.gsa.gov.

Feel free to share any stories, tidbits, or helpful websites on traveling overseas. In addition to the resources I’ve linked to, I always have found Budget Travel and NBC’s Travel Editor, Peter Greenberg, to be invaluable.

Starting next week, the Wednesday posts will be written by our substitute blogger, Colleen. Although I'm moving on to a new opportunity outside the government, I can’t wait to read her weekly entries since they always manage to provide the right mix of great info and humor, whether they’re about Philly, the Boss, or Beantown. Thanks for reading my posts each week—I’ve really enjoyed our conversations!

| Comments [2] | envelope Email This Entry | Tags: currency  customs  foreign  health  overseas  passport  sam  travel 

 

Entry bubble Government Forms Made Easy

By: Nancy | January 10, 2008 | Category: General

woman looking at computer monitor

I have no glitz for you, today. No glamour. No grapefruit. No gifts. And sadly, no George Clooney.

What I do have though, is a great feature on USA.gov that will keep you from waiting in long lines, calling from office to office and wandering from website to website looking for the government forms that you need to take care of the business of everyday life: Forms.gov 

Bookmark this baby! The federal forms that you need are all in one place. Type key words in the search box for the forms you're looking for, search forms by the federal agency they come from or search by form number, if you know it. Whatever search method works for you, works for Forms.gov 

Tax day is three months away. Get your forms here.

Are you or your kids college bound and need to apply for student aid? Here's the gateway to the application process.

Ready to apply for Social Security? Here's where you start.

Moving and need to change your address with the post office, your state division of motor vehicles and more? Type "address change" into the Forms.gov search box to help you find all the forms you need.

Traveling and need to renew your passport? Do it by mail using this form.

If you're a farmer, doctor, realtor, civil servant or are in any other position that requires you to keep up with federal forms on the job for everything from safety to licensing to subsidies, Forms.gov is your go-to place.

I'm always looking for ways to consolidate and simplify my life--at home, at work and online. So I'm taking my own advice and bookmarking Forms.gov.

| Comments [3] | envelope Email This Entry | Tags: forms  forms.gov  nancy  passport  student  taxes 

 

Entry bubble Going To The Chapel

By: Sam | October 10, 2007 | Category: Home and Family

It’s a running joke in our office that I go to a wedding almost every weekend.  While this may be a slight exaggeration, I do attend a lot each year, and I am always at a loss of what to get the happy couple.  Do I stick with the registry and the knowledge that I have given them something they really wanted?  Or, do I go out on a limb and put together a really creative gift?  Sadly, nine times out of 10, I opt for the registry.

Until today.  Today, I am giving all my brides and brides-to-be the perfect gift…how to legally change your name.  I know it isn’t the trendy red mixer or the fancy china you wanted, but these step-by-step instructions should help make this process a little easier.Car with just married sign and cans tied to it

  • Get extra certified copies of your marriage license from your state’s vital records office;
  • Get a new Social Security Card.  Once you receive your marriage license, fill out an Application For A Social Security Card.  Once completed, either take (or mail) it along with your marriage license and proof of identification to your local Social Security’s office;
  • Get a new driver’s license and vehicle registration.  The required documents vary state by state so it’s best to check with your state’s motor vehicle agency;
  • Change your voter registration through your state election office;
  • A change of last name doesn’t need to be reported to the Post Office if you’re remaining at the same address, but notify the U.S. Postal Service if you’re changing your address;
  • Change work paperwork.  Check with your employer or school (if you’re a student) about what personnel and benefit records need to be changed.  You don’t need to change your tax records since the IRS will receive your name change from the Social Security Administration.  And don’t forget to your change your email address;  
  • Change paperwork regarding your insurance policies, bills, bank statements, credit and debit cards, membership organizations, and frequent flyer programs;
  • Update your passport. If it has been a year since the issue date, follow these instructions from the Department of State.  If it has been longer than a year, you’ll need to renew your passport;
  • And most importantly, start using your new name!

| Comments [2] | envelope Email This Entry | Tags: finances  marriage  passport