Summer is really ending. A few of my friends have already moved back to school and I’ve finally left “I-leave-in-a-few-weeks-or-something” mode and entered “holy-shit-I-leave-for-Italy-in-9-days” mode. I’d like to avoid ever being broke in a foreign country, hanging around dark alleyways looking for cash that a hooker may have dropped. Not my idea of a good time. So I’m doing a few things to prevent that from happening. Yep, I plan for every contingency.
- Call CC companies to let ‘em know I’ll be using my cards out of the country.
- Change the PIN on my new Capital One debit card to something I’ll actually remember.
- Transfer enough money to my Capital One checking account to get me through until my student loan refund check is deposited and transferred back home.
- ?!?
- Profit
I also have a ton of other stuff to do that’s not exactly finance related, like pack. Which can get real expensive real quick if I’m not careful. US Airways gives me one checked bag free along with a carry-on bag and one personal item like a laptop. If I need to check another bag, I’m screwed gonna be annoyed about paying $55 ONE WAY for that bag. Giving more money to the airline is not on my to do list, so I’m thinking that my bags are gonna be holding clothes and that’s about it. I can buy stuff like shampoo (heavy when you think about it) and sheets (not even sure what size I need) when I get there.
What do you do to get your finances in order before a long trip? Also, I’d like to hear any packing tips if you’ve got ‘em!
