Here are a few simple tips to insure you don't get stuck far from home without a penny, peso or pfennig to your name:

Make sure you have enough money to cover emergencies. Always include extra money in your budget for unforeseen circumstances.

Always take traveler's checks. It's safer to have traveler's checks than large amounts of cash. Be sure not to countersign the checks until the time of use.

Keep a separate record of the numbers of your traveler's checks. Always leave a copy of your check numbers with a person you trust in case all your records are lost or stolen.

Bring a money belt to wear securely beneath your clothing for your money, passport, airline tickets and other important paperwork.

Check the expiration dates of your credit cards before you leave. You don't want to find yourself with an unusable card that expires during your trip.

Keep careful track of your spending limit. In some countries you can be arrested for exceeding your limit.

Make a separate record of your credit card numbers. If your cards are lost and stolen, it will be easier to report them. For overseas trips, remember to take the numbers for calling collect, as toll free numbers are available only in the country of issue.

Be sure to inform your credit card company that you are planning a trip. Some more meticulous credit card companies may cancel or suspend a card that suddenly starts receiving heavy use in a different location.