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More travel tips from Sach

Last week’s blog on “What’s in Sach’s Suitcase?” generated some additional questions about how Sach handles her documents, money, access’s foreign currency and keeps it all safe.

Here are some tips from Sach:

Document folder: Keep your passport and travel insurance documents together in a document folder and in a designated place both at home and on the road. This ensures that they are always easy to find and ready to go. These documents should always be with you when you travel and never put in checked luggage.

Money belt: A money belt that fits neatly under clothing and can hold a passport, credit card and extra dollars is a comfortable and easy way to carry items and protect yourself against pick pockets. It also allows for having extra cash or identification with you.

Divide money into different places: Whenever possible, divvying up travel cash and credit cards into multiple safe spots is recommended. If it is all in one place, it only takes a moment for a thief to totally wipe you out. You can even apply this idea when you’re out and about by keeping some money attached to your person and some in a bag you carry. That way, if your bag gets lost or snatched, you’ll still have enough to get to a police station or back to your hotel.

Keep small bills handy: When packing your bag, make sure you’ve got a variety of small bills and coins ready for tips, or purchasing a snack. This will eliminate trying to make change and exposing large bills.

Remove unnecessary items from your wallet: It is a good idea to leave your library card or membership cards at home and only carry the necessities such as a credit card and a backup, an identification card, and an insurance card. Not only does this help you travel lighter, but there is less to replace if your wallet is stolen.

Purse/front back pack: “In 2010 while on a Wells Gray Tour in Germany, I found a wonderful leather purse that also has straps that make it a back/front pack. This can be worn on the back or on the front and leaves your hands free. I always wear this on my front when shopping in crowded markets, or when I am on public transportation. It keeps everything safe and the zippers and pockets are not accessible to anyone other than me,” says Sach.

Foreign Exchange: Having local currency when you land at a destination is helpful and changing money at the airport exchange booth in Vancouver works well. If you need additional local currency during your trip ATM machines are everywhere and easy to use, but keep in mind you will be charged a service fee. Look for ATM’s in high traffic areas and avoid using secluded ones.

Thank you again Sach for agreeing once again to share your travel savvy tips with us.

Written by: Joan Niemeier