When it comes to spending money on vacation you have three main
choices. Credit cards, cash, or traveler's checks.

Credit cards are the safest way to pay for your vacation. If
they are stolen you have limited liability and they are easily
replaced. The ability to dispute the charges with the credit
card company give you protection against poor merchandise or
service.

Many transactions such as hotel reservations and car rentals
are impossible without a credit card. When traveling overseas
you can usually get the best exchange rates using your plastic
but beware. The credit card companies have been charging high
fees for the privilege and usually don't tell you ahead of
time.

The downside to credit cards is they can be unreliable,
especially overseas. You can be in for a real hassle if your
card is declined by the merchant or a foreign ATM machine. The
chances of this happening are real and increase dramatically
when traveling to second and third world countries.

When you use your credit card, don't let it out of your sight
even if it means following your waiter to the register. Before
you put the card back in your wallet make sure that it belongs
to you.

Cash is the most reliable way to carry money but of course, it
is the least safe. American cash is accepted everywhere and you
can often haggle for better prices with cash.

But there are many dangers when carrying cash. The most obvious
is that it makes you a target for thieves. Don't flash it
around.

Hide your cash on your person but not in a waist money belt.
Find or make a pocket on the inside of your clothing where it
is difficult to get at. Then keep a small amount in a spare
wallet for your walking around cash. You can keep one credit
card in with the cash and it doesn't hurt to throw in some
other expendable junk to make it look good. This is what you
hand over if you are robbed.

Don't keep all your cash on your person. Hide some in your
personal belongings. Be inventive about finding good hiding
places. The hotel safe is a good place to stash a portion. If
you spread it around then you won't be cleaned out in one shot.


Travelers checks are arguably the best way form of money for
your vacation with. You can use them almost as readily as cash
and they can be easily replaced.

The best way to handle your vacation money is with a
combination of all three methods. )

My sister-in-law had her credit card and purse stolen during her wedding reception from the hotel staff setting up the reception hall. She put her purse in the hall and then went to her wedding ceremony. Have someone watch your purse if necessary during your ceremony or lock it safely in your car.