Ten Things You Don't Want to Forget

Cash. There’s no guarantee that your bank will have a branch in the area you’re visiting, and you never know when you might need an emergency can of gas from a station that doesn’t take credit cards. It’s not wise to travel with large sums, obviously, but $100 should give you a nice safety net.

Change. In addition to paper money, take a few dollars in change for pay phones, toll booths, parking meters, and the like.

An emergency card. Write down the names, phone numbers, and addresses of at least two people to notify in case of an emergency, and keep that in your billfold or purse.

A travel guide. Take a copy of a Fodor’s guide or some other book about the city or region you are visiting. It will help you get your bearings and save time you’d waste trying to find places on your own.

A second form of identification. Carry something besides your driver’s license, like your Social Security card or birth certificate. Slip-ups on the road, such as run-ins with the police, go much more smoothly when you have two forms of ID.

An alarm clock. You can’t always depend on wake-up calls. If your mobile phone has an alarm function, even better. Time management is crucial when traveling.

Prescription medication. If you’re currently on any kind of prescription, be sure to take your medication with you. It may seem obvious, but it’s a commonly overlooked item that could make or break the entire trip.

Business cards. They’re a no-brainer if you’re going to a convention or meeting with a client, but you should take them even on trips where you don’t expect to do any business with new people. You never know when an opportunity will arise.

A good paperback. When traveling, you will inevitably hit a space of time where you have nothing at all to do, whether you’re waiting for a flight or turning down for the night. You’ll be glad you brought a book instead of having to review product specifications for the hundredth time.

Your smile. You’d think this one would be obvious, but people forget it all the time. Your smile is your most effective tool for winning trust, inspiring confidence, and improving your attitude…so don’t leave home without it!