Money, Money, Money

Coming from the US where it is very easy to hit up an ATM and get cash any time you need it, you will find that this can be much more difficult when traveling abroad. I have had experiences in East Africa where it was impossible to find an ATM that would accept my US bank cards (or my Nigerian one for that matter) and then were also very picky about the USD that they would accept.

It is my recommendation that you are sure to have a decent amount of cash with you, but check that it is absolutely pristine! Many of the vendors in foreign countries will not accept any USD if it is too wrinkled or torn, so be careful. It is also wise to have several denominations of bills. The cash exchangers at the airport will likely be able to change large bills but you don’t want to risk someone not having enough change if you use USD at a small venue. How much cash you bring is up to you, but it is always wise to have a stash for emergencies. When I was in Zanzibar, neither my cards, nor my friends’ would work and we ran out of cash. If our friend hadn’t been coming in from the States with a fresh stash of cash, we would have been screwed!

It is also wise to get an international credit card so you don’t end up having to pay all of those foreign exchange fees!

Common sense tips for keeping your money safe:

• Spread your money out – Don’t put all of your cash in one spot. If you do this and become the target of a thief, all of your money is gone!
• Use a money belt and/or a neck wallet – These can fit comfortably under your clothes and make it much more difficult for a thief to get to. Be careful about taking them out in public though, so as to not advertise where your goods are!
• Use an anti-theft bag – these usually come with zippers that will clip shut and have some extra pockets to hide stuff in (Travelon makes good ones!)