QUESTION: During a recent business trip my husband lost his wallet and I’m trying to replace the contents. This is a difficult job since he doesn’t remember everything that he carried. Please tell others to inventory what they carry with them in case they should have the need to replace a wallet’s contents.
ANSWER: This is something that I have addressed before but find that it does not hurt to repeat it on occasion. This is a difficult job. I’m not sure that most of us could accurately lists the contents of our wallets from memory and from time to time we change what we are carrying – so periodically we should sit down and review what we have in our wallet.
An inventory can serve two purposes: It will provide an accurate record of your wallet’s contents and give you an opportunity to “weed out” what you carry. Experts advise that a thinner wallet is safer as potential thieves would have less information and therefore less opportunity to defraud.
To do your inventory first set aside a block of time so that you will not be rushed and sit at a desk or table and empty your wallet of all its contents. Review each item to determine if this is something you need to carry with you or if it should be put away for safekeeping or if it should be disposed of.
Your Social Security card, for example, should not be carried with you. The Social Security Administration recommends it be placed in safekeeping and carried only when you need to present it.
Next review this “to be disposed of group” again to double check that you no longer need these items. Now dispose of all these items that you no longer need – using a shredder to do this would be the best method.
The next step is to take all those items that you feel you still need but not in your wallet and put them with your other important papers.
Now take all the items that you feel should be carried in your wallet and create an inventory sheet. This can be done by paper and pencil or by photographing the front and back of each item that you are going to place back in your wallet.
If you do this by creating a list the list should include the following information for each item: the identity of the item (e.g. XYZ credit card or California driver’s license) and the account or registration number, name of the person it is registered to, the expiration date, if applicable, and the number to contact to report if it is lost. Then date the list or the photographs of the contents and file it with your important papers.
Always update your inventory list when you change any of the contents of your wallet.
If you should ever lose your wallet or have it stolen you will find that the short amount of time it took to do the inventory was well worth it because you have all the information at your fingertips that you need to request replacement of the lost items.
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HAPPENINGS:
WEDNESDAY – June 12 – 1:00 to 3:00 PM – Ventura Parkinson’s Disease Support Group Meeting – at Four Points by Sheraton, Ventura Harbor Resort, 1050 Schooner Drive in Ventura. Neurosurgery specialists Adrienne Keenen and Ausof Bari will address Parkinson’s treatments including Deep Bain Stimulation. For reservations call Patty at (805) 766-6070.
TUESDAY – June 13 -10:00 to 11:30 am – Seminar – “Navigating Placement
Choices” – at Agoura Hills Recreation & Event Center, 29900 Ladyface Court in Agoura Hills. For reservations call (818) 597-7361.
FRIDAY – June 14 – 5:00 pm – Summer BBQ – at Goebel Center, 1385 E. Janss Road in Thousand Oaks. Kick off the summer right – this evening includes a great dinner, live entertainment, dancing and fun, fun, fun, tickets are $10 and currently on sale at Goebel’s front desk.
WEDNESDAY – June 19 – Seminar – “End of Life Issues” – at Westlake Village Civic Center, 3200 E. Oak Crest Drive in Westlake Village. For information call the Advocate’s office (805) 495-6250.
SATURDAY – June 22 – 1:00 to 4:00 pm – workshop –“Physically Fit & Happier at Home” – at Goebel Adult Community Center, 1385 E. Janss Road in Thousand Oaks. Tickets are $23 and available at Goebel’s front desk.
THURSDAY/FRIDAY – June 20 & 21 – Class – AARP Driver Safety Class – 12 noon to 4:00 pm – 2 day class – at Moorpark Active Adult Center, 799 Moorpark Road in Moorpark. For registration call (805) 517-6261.
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Betty Berry is a senior advocate for Senior Concerns. The advocates are located at the Goebel Adult Community Center, 1385 E. Janss Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91362 or call (805) 495-6250 or e-mail bberry@senioronceerns.org (please include your telephone number.) You are invited to submit questions on senior issues.
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