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Tag Archives: travel tips

Travel Tip: Real ID Card

16 Wednesday May 2018

Posted by Stefanie Van Aken (RSMLVTravel) in Featured, Fun, Tips

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Tags

real id, tips, travel tips

Have you heard the latest? Is your state compliant? Starting October 1, 2020, if you have not obtained a REAL ID Card, you will not be able to board a domestic flight with only your Driver License. A valid United States passport or other federally approved identification like a military ID will still get you on a domestic commercial flight. However, you will not be able to access federal facilities and nuclear power plants without a REAL ID.

I recently learned this when at the DMV renewing my driver license. I wish I would have paid more attention to the details of what I needed to bring with me in order to get the REAL ID card– which is basically your state’s driver license with a gold star added to it, stating you are in fact, a citizen of the United States. I had been hearing some rumblings of this, but honestly paid little attention until my license was about to expire. I looked further into the explanation behind the REAL ID, and in case you also are unaware here is a brief description of its purpose according to the Department of Homeland Security website:

Secure driver’s licenses and identification documents are a vital component of our national security framework. The REAL ID Act, passed by Congress in 2005, enacted the 9/11 Commission’s recommendation that the Federal Government “set standards for the issuance of sources of identification, such as driver’s licenses.” The Act established minimum security standards for license issuance and production and prohibits Federal agencies from accepting for certain purposes driver’s licenses and identification cards from states not meeting the Act’s minimum standards. The purposes covered by the Act are: accessing Federal facilities, entering nuclear power plants, and, no sooner than 2016, boarding federally regulated commercial aircraft.

You can check the dhs.gov/real-id website to find out if your state is compliant or has an extension. Apparently, participation by states is voluntary, so each state basically has the option of whether or not they are going to choose to become compliant under the REAL ID Act. However, regardless if your state chooses to become compliant, a regular driver license will no longer be an acceptable form of ID to board a domestic flight or access federal facilities and nuclear power plants after October 1, 2020. Sounds like you will either need to have a REAL ID or a valid US Passport no matter what.

REAL ID US MAP

Clearly, I am not a federal agency, nor do I work for one. I obtained this information, just like you can, through the Department of Homeland Security and the Nevada DMV websites. The information I am sharing with you below is from a flyer given to me from the NVDMV. You should always check with your own state in regards to compliance information and if there are any further documentation needed in order to apply for and obtain your REAL ID. I am sharing this info with you because I was totally annoyed at the fact that I went all the way down to the DMV (with an appointment!) and did not have the right docs with me, and now I have to go back. So this is really just a courtesy post, not an official government issued certified one.

If you choose to update your current license with a REAL ID prior to October 1, 2020, here is what you need to bring with you to the DMV:

  • Proof of Identity:
    • US Birth Certificate
    • US Passport or Passport Card
    • US Certificate of Citizenship or Naturalization
    • Permanent Resident/Resident Alien Card (I-551) (Permanent Resident Cards must be updated at age 14 unless the bearer turns age 16 prior to expiration)
    • Foreign Passport with temporary I-551 stamp
    • Out of State REAL ID (not marked limited term)
    • Name change documents such as a marriage certificate or court order- if different from birth name
  • Limited-Term Documents: (Limited-Term will be indicated when limited-term Immigration documents are presented)
    • Employment Authorization card (I-766)
    • Foreign Passport, US Visa & I-94
  • One (1) – Proof of Social Security Number
    • Social Security Card
    • Paystub with complete Social Security Number
    • W-2 or 1099

*All documents must be valid, unexpired original or certified copies that were issued in the United States (except for foreign passports). The DMV does not accept photocopies.

By the way, you actually have to go to the DMV to update to a REAL ID because they will take your picture. No worries though! There are several DMVs in the Las Vegas and Henderson areas that schedule appointments. I did this last week, and it was easy peasy. Like in and out in 15 minutes, no joke.

For the record, the following items are NOT affected by whether or not you have a REAL ID:

  • Entering Federal facilities that do not require a person to present identification
  • Voting or registering to vote
  • Applying for or receiving Federal benefits
  • Being licensed by a state to drive
  • Accessing Health or life-preserving services (including hospitals and health clinics), law enforcement, or constitutionally protected activities (including a defendant’s access to court proceedings)
  • Participating in law enforcement proceedings or investigations

I encourage you to visit the dhs.gov/real-id website and your state’s DMV website to learn more about the REAL ID Act. It is actually laid out quite well and answers a ton more questions than the snippets I have here.

*RSMLVTravel and RockStarMomLV is not and was not employed by any government agency to share this information. The information shared was taken directly from the Department of Homeland Security and NVDMV websites. My job is not to enforce the law or regulations…my job is to keep you traveling! 

Treasure the Vacation with Perfect Circle Jewelry Insurance

14 Monday Jul 2014

Posted by Stefanie Van Aken (RSMLVTravel) in Fun, Tips

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

Frolic, Instagram Travel Thursday, travel tips

Today’s post is sponsored by the Perfect Circle Jewelry Insurance from Jewelers Mutual Insurance Company.

A vacation for a family of 6 requires at least a month of planning and strategizing- and that’s just for the packing. I first start with a list in my head, which quickly has to get transferred to paper because I’m 39 now, and I forget. Lists then get separated by kid, then by general family needs. As I walk around the house and see things in closets and cupboards, I pull them out and start piles so I don’t forget to add those items to the lists. From lists, I go into laundry, which could take an entire week to get everyone caught up in my house. After laundry, any trips to the mall or drug store for last minute items I wouldn’t be able to find at our destination, or don’t want to be bothered with having to look for when we get there. I even have a strategy behind how I actually pack the bags and how the items belonging to who goes where. In the back of my mind I know exactly how much can fit in suitcase before it reaches the magic 50lb weight, and exactly how many carry-ons my family can handle without losing one. Every person’s identification and ticket or seat is accounted for, rooms are confirmed and re-confirmed, tickets for attractions pre-purchased and reservations for meals are set. Now if I could just have someone pack and organize for me personally while I do it all for everyone else. That would be awesome.

family travel collage

You know what else would be awesome? Knowing someone was looking out for me the way I look out for my family’s most precious items: blankies, special sipppy cups, superhero toys, iPads, headphones, American Girl Dolls the list goes on and on. Of course, my number one concern is their safety and happiness, so often times I forget about me and mine.

Family Travel Pic

With all the commotion of getting our large party from one place to the next and ensuring we leave with what we came with, it is so easy for me to forget something little like my Tiffany’s silver band my husband gave me on our 10th wedding anniversary that I wear every day. Or my diamond earrings I wear daily, but take out every night before I go to bed. My husband always seems a little more relaxed and absentminded on vacation, and sometimes haphazardly puts his Rolex somewhere, then blames the twins on its temporary loss.

tiffanys necklace

When we are at home, we have a routine, we have places for things and habits about where we put them. When traveling, things can get a bit confused and lost in the change of environment. I have started being very particular about the jewelry I carry with me on trips no matter if we are going to a 5-star resort or a roadtrip to the mountains. I do my best to whittle it down to the absolute necessities: my earrings, wedding ring, Tiffany’s band, and watch. That amount right there, though may look simple on, costs about the amount of what one year of college tuition for one of my kids at a private university. Even some of my costume jewelry would sicken me if it was stolen. Good costume, every day jewelry is not cheap! Nor is it easy to replace when the pieces are the exact fit or really finish off the outfit. It also not possible to replicate sentiment.

alex and ani bangles kate spade earrings

All of the above is a big reason why I started taking the idea of traveling with my jewelry more seriously. Up until a few months ago, I would shove my necklaces, bracelets and earrings into one big jewelry bag. And, it was usually one that the store gave me; not at all the appropriate way to handle items I just described above. Occasionally, I would lose or forget something at the hotel. Honestly, the way I took care of it, I wouldn’t even know if someone stole something from me. Then I would get home and the items would still stay a tangled mess in the bag until I needed it for the next occasion- if I was lucky enough to remember where I left it.

I was given a Vera Bradley Travel Jewelry Organizer that has the perfect amount of pouches and pockets and zippers for me to carry exactly what I need. My necklaces don’t get tangled, my earrings don’t get left behind, and my rings have a secure place to live until the next time. It’s totally great, don’t get me wrong, but now I have the “What if” factor looming. What if someone steals my whole bag? What if one of my kids gets into the bag and something gets accidentally removed or falls out? What if I forget the bag in the safe in my room?

vera bradley travel jewelry organizer

This is where a personal  jewelry insurance policy, like one from Perfect Circle Jewelry Insurance from Jewelers Mutual Insurance Company becomes my back up plan, aka: the one who is looking out for me. With a jewelry insurance policy through Perfect Circle Jewelry Insurance from Mutual Insurance Company, traveling with some of your favorite pieces offers a peace of mind and less stress to enjoy the journey and the destination. Some benefits of a Perfect Circle personal jewelry insurance policy include:

  • Comprehensive Worldwide Coverage
  • Same Kind and Quality
  • Use Your Preferred Jeweler
  • No Deductible Required
  • Automatic Coverage
  • Exceptional Customer Service

Applying for a Perfect Circle personal jewelry insurance plan is super simple and free. Just visit www.TreasuretheVacation.com where you can get a free quote and purchase a policy on-line in 10 minutes. Super fast, and now your jewelry is super secure. Get more info on Perfect Circle Jewelry Insurance by connecting with them on Facebook or follow @PerectCircleJM on Twitter.

Tips for Traveling with Jewelry:

    1. Only bring the pieces you absolutely need or must have with you.
    2. Be sure to keep them organized in a jewelry bag specifically made for travel.
    3. Lock up your jewelry in your in-room safe, or ask your hotel’s front desk if they have an on-site safe for securing extremely valuable items.
    4. Purchase a personal jewelry insurance policy, like Perfect Circle Jewelry Insurance from Jewelers Mutual Insurance Company to cover any accidental loss or theft.

OK, got it covered? Now mosey on over to TravelingMom and RSVP for the #TreasuretheVacation twitter party on Monday, July 1st 9m EST (6pm PST) to discuss bringing along your fave jewelry on your trips, and for the chance to win more beautiful pieces to add to your collection. Check out these fabulous hammered 14k eco yellow gold, oval hoop earrings from TobyPomeroy.com, with a suggested retail value of $1010. Tweet you there!

toby pomeroy oval gold hoops

Thank you Perfect Circle Jewelry Insurance from Jewelers Mutual Insurance Company for sponsoring the informative content in today’s post.  

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