Money, money, money

A smart traveler heads off with several ways to pay, including some cash. You might want to take a little foreign currency to get started. But you don’t need to convert hundreds of dollars before leaving home.


“These days more and more folks can get their cash right at the ATM machines in that country,” says travel expert Maxa. In most countries, he says, you’re going to find them right at the airport. Doing it in the country you’re visiting is generally cheaper than converting currency back home.

Remember to use your ATM card, not your credit card, to get money from a cash machine. Use your credit card and it’s considered a cash advance and you’ll pay a sky-high interest rate starting from Day One. Before you leave home, find out what you’ll pay to use an ATM in your destination country.