Money and documents

Always ask for a receipt when you change money so you can check the rate. Confirm it on xe.com (opens in a new window). Memorize a quick formula for converting in your head.

Always keep some small bills in cash. Break your big bills as soon as you can.

Let your bank know you'll be abroad so your card doesn't get blocked. Keep the 1-800 number handy in case of loss or theft.

Start with a little local cash ($100 to $200) to get a feel for the cost of living and avoid overspending. The wonder of the first few days can make you expensively naive.

Divide your total budget by the number of days and adjust as you go. Be realistic: keep 15% aside for the unexpected.

Some cards limit foreign exchange fees or include travel insurance. Shopping around can save you a lot in the long run.

Avoid withdrawing cash on your credit card: interest starts the moment you take it out, not at the end of the month.

Visa plus Mastercard, or credit plus debit. If one card gets blocked, stops working or goes missing, you have a plan B.

If the country charges a departure tax, tuck the amount into your passport as soon as you land. It's often payable in cash only. Saves you hunting for an ATM at the last minute.

Take photos of your receipts: it makes the accounts easy when you get home. The photo dates help you match transactions on your credit card.

Don't wait for the airport: the transaction fees there are higher.

Avoid pulling out large amounts in public. Keep big bills in one place and the day's money in another.

Theft-proof storage for your travel documents.

Obsolete. Slow, a hassle to cash, and they come with fees. Useful before the age of plastic, not anymore.

You'll get a better rate at your destination than in Canada when converting back to your own currency.

Insurance policy, e-ticket, passport, visa: one copy with your loved ones, one copy kept apart from the originals. Also email yourself a PDF or JPG copy along with your list of emergency contacts.

Leave the cards you won't need at home (library, loyalty, etc.). It lightens your wallet and limits the damage if it's stolen.

Protects your chip cards against remote cloning (malicious RFID scanners in crowds). Available in almost every modern wallet.