Dropbox is one of the most useful apps you can get and one that I use almost daily.
Essentially it is a file sharing and storage program. It acts just like another folder on your computer that you ‘drop’ files into, they are then uploaded and you can access them from any computer by logging into your Dropbox account. You can also share the folder with friends, allowing them to see all of the files you have put inside (and to add their own). In this way you can easily share photos of your trip, music, important documents…anything really.
Head to the Dropbox website for a free account that gives you 2GB of free storage space. If you follow this link here you will get an extra 500mb of free space.
If you have the Dropbox app on your various devices, you can save all your important documents and readily access them from your laptop, phone, tablet or online.
I find Dropbox most useful for saving copies of all of my essential travel documents and it has saved me a lot of trouble in numerous occasions. I have a folder set up labelled ‘Travel Documents’ which is shared with my Mum in case I ever need her help with something. In this folder I have saved the following, and would recommend you do the same;
- Colour copy of my Passport
- Certificate of Travel Insurance and Policy Wording
- All tickets and itineraries whenever I book a new flight/bus/train etc
- Copies of all my cards; Credit cards, Bank cards, Drivers License, Medicare Card
- Details of any Visas I have/am applying for including all reference numbers
- Copies of recent bank statements (useful for Visa interviews)
- My glasses lens prescription
- Details of any Accommodation I have booked (I’m a bit slack with this one, but if I keep on top of it, it does help my Mum to know where I am and how to contact me)
As well as that vital document folder, I also find Dropbox useful for storing things like recipes I have collected so I can always check on them from any of my devices, photos I wish to share with my family or friends that I’ve met along the way, and also practical things like a few photos of the best haircut I ever had- I take these photos to show to the hairdresser whenever I get my hair cut in a country where I do not speak the language!
The folders you place within Dropbox can be private or shared as you choose. The beauty of this program is that even if you do not have your own personal device with you, all of your documents can still be accessed online on the website. So, God forbid, you have your bag stolen and lose your phone/tablet/laptop AND all your personal items, passport, wallet with cards etc, you can still find an internet kiosk and access all of those important documents to have the details of your travel insurance so you can contact them for help, cancel all your cards, print out your passport copy to take with you to the Embassy to apply for a replacement etc…you get the point!