Worrying about your wallet while you travel can really take the fun out of things. You can also let your guard down sometimes when you’re caught up with having fun, and that can lead to unhappy experiences.  Here are some helpful tips:

Slim Down
Empty your wallet before you leave home. Not entirely of course, but there’s no point in taking all your Canadian credit and loyalty cards with you.

Documents Please
Leave a photocopy of your passport ID page, travel documents and credit card numbers with at least two trusted friends or family members at home.

Do The Math
A little homework can pay off: memorize what 10, 50, and 100 of the local currency are in Canadian dollars. If you’re travelling to more than one country, make yourself a note with all currencies involved and tuck it into your wallet. You could save yourself headaches, embarrassment -- and perhaps the odd rip-off.

Timely Tips
Read up on tipping customs before you travel. In some countries, such as Australia, the custom doesn’t even exist.  And you don’t want to be tipping on top of a tip in countries where a service charge is automatically included in your tab, such as France.

Paper Trail
When changing money, always keep your receipts. Many countries, especially those with "soft" or non-convertible currencies, will not allow you to change your money back without them.

Small Change
When you’re changing money, make sure you get some small bills and/or coins. You don’t want to find yourself with nothing smaller than a bill the equivalent of $50 with which to tip a washroom attendant.

Back To The Loonie
Change any unspent money back before you come home. Don’t even bother bringing local currency home hoping to exchange it for Canadian dollars. Banks here will not be interested. No bank will change coins of any denomination, but they do make nice souvenirs.

ATM Letdown
Cash machines are great, but not all countries accept Canadian bank cards. It may be necessary to visit a bank with exchange services or take a cash advance on your credit card at the ATM.

Cash Stash
When heading out for the day, carry small notes and some coins in a pocket or change purse and stash the rest of your money somewhere safe, such as in a money belt.

Greenback Rules
Yes, our dollar is worth more right now, but U.S. cash is still king in almost any country of the world. American dollar bills can be useful for tips and small purchases if you don’t yet have any of the local currency.