[2 Oldcrabs]

We have US savings bonds and many valuable documents we need to bring to FL. Is there a way to ship them insured or do people just put them in their car and travel with them? I know of 2 people who have had their cars broken into while in resturants off of I-95.

[Uptown Girl]

I don't know the volume of all your documents, or the size of your car, but here's a few options for travel ....
Carry the few, most valuable, flat in the bottom of a shoulder strap, zippered handbag. Buy one if you don't have one. Take it with you if you go into a restaurant, keep it between your feet. Don't open it in public or rummage around in there. And carry it in front of you, not dangling behind your back.

Place others in a flat gift box and tape it up. You can write "baby pictures" or something on the top if you like. Place it out of the way, like under the seat, or under some newspapers if you can't hide it.

Park only where you can easily see your car while in the restaurant, or, just for this trip, eat in the car.
If you stop to stay overnight, park in the front of the place you're staying, under a nice bright lamp post. Take anything you are worried about inside your room for the night.

One more thought to keep in mind. When packing your car, keep all the delicate or valuable stuff out of the way of the spare tire area. Put "no big deal" stuff there.
We had a blow out on one of our trips down and of course had to unload part of the vehicle onto the shoulder of the interstate to get at the jack and spare.
It was good that we only had to unload a few gym bags filled with lightweight stuff of little value to anyone.
I wish you a safe and happy journey. You'll do well!

[Trish Crocker]

Great advice Uptown Girl!

[dfn8tly]

Uptown Girl's advice is excellent. However, a couple of other thoughts come to mind. If you have established a bank account here you can contact the bank and get suggestions from them. Remember that many of the people in TV bought homes and signed documents all by mail. A lot of documents can be sent FEDEX overnight for around $25.00. In addition, if you have a friend here you can send the documents to him/her. If you don't have a friend yet, I'll volunteer and I also accept gold bullion.

Have a safe trip. We're waiting with plenty of places you can spend those bonds.

[Northstar]

The United States Postal Service (USPS)....Send them Registered mail. Jewelry stores , Banks use them

[asianthree]

depending on the value use ups or fedex for large cash value, if more than $10,000 use brinks or special vault services

[Snowbirdtobe]

You don't need to worry about US Savings bonds being stolen. It might be a pain to get replacements but they are safe from loss or theft.
Registered mail is used to ship high value items at a reasonable cost.

[2 Oldcrabs]

I think we will make copies of the bonds and leave with my sister. Hide the real thing in the "baby's picture" box.

[SamuelReed]

Hey nice advice Uptown girl...

[Tall Terri]

I would ship them by Federal Express to the vice president of a bank. Let them know to expect the documents and that you will take them upon arrival and put them in a safe deposit box at that bank.

You don't want to have to worry about these things when travelling. As far as putting them into boxes, (Lord forbid) what happens if you have to have the car towed - where will you put the boxes while it is being repaired/towed?

Better to copy them, leave the COPY with your sister, and ship them to a bank in town.

Be careful on the drive down to your new care free living!