Tip:
Highlight text to annotate it
X
Dealing with the financial aspects of traveling is inevitable. I suggest calling all of your
financial institutions before you hit the road. Call your bank. Let them know you're
going to be out of the country. Your credit cards, your ATM. Let them know so that they
don't think someone has stolen your card and gone partying in Morocco. I always like to
make photocopies of my cards, the front in the back, just in case. Put one in your checked
bag, one in your carry on. Give one to your friend like if you're traveling with a buddy.
Just in case everything of yours falls into the Atlantic, then you've got a backup. A
calculator. Mine is on my phone and this can prove valuable. Whenever you're doing the
exchange rates. If you're at the ATM you want to know how much money you're getting out.
If you're in the market, your bargaining, and haggling with somebody, you can just show
them the number and save everyone a lot of confusion. Money belts. That's everyone's
favorite travel accessory. You can wear them on your waist, around your neck, around your
leg. Wherever you want to put your valuables. Also, I think that...even though these are
not very attractive, have a little photo of yourself ready to go because you never know
when you may need a Visa, get Visa made or to a particular entrance somewhere. Like Anchor
what, you have to have your photo on your pass or the Paris Metro. Just be prepared.
Also, if you happen to be in college or still fall into the student realm, always good to
bring your college ID or international student card. You can get discounts museums and parks
and places like that. I like to e-mail myself every vital piece of information. My credit
card numbers, my embassy numbers, anything that I might need, or if my cards get stolen,
a number to call. I e-mail to myself, I text to myself, I write it in my travel book. Just
in case kind of thing. It never hurts to be too prepared. Your passport, keep that on
you at all times and have copies of it everywhere. A lot of times when you check into a hotel
you have to give them your passport. I like to give them a copy of it if they'll take
that. Also, I find having the good old American dollar on you never hurts because you get
in a pickle, it seems to work. I just got back from southeast Asia and it helped to
have a lot of small bills because very conveniently a lot of taxi drivers or vendors they just
don't have the change for you. Just be prepared and everything should be fine.