1. Take photos of what you pack

“In order to provide any reimbursement for a lost suitcase, most airlines and insurance companies require an itemized list of exactly what was inside it. Unfortunately, remembering everything you packed after the fact is virtually impossible. To avoid the headache, take pictures of the items you’re going to put in your suitcase with your digital camera or cell phone. The photos will make creating the lost a breeze, and in the event of a dispute with the airline or insurance agent, you will have some visual evidence of the ownership.”

Jennifer Matchett, Dunnellon, Fla

2. Accidentally reformat your camera’s memory card?

“As long as you don’t overwrite the disk by taking more photos, those original pictures are still there. Buy another card to use in the meantime, and then, when you get home, either purchase a file-recovery software program (about $35) or take the card to a camera shop.”

Isabel McCarthy, Mesa, Ariz.

3. Keep travel numbers handy

“I have the words hotel and taxi on my cell phone speed dial. On a trip, I change the numbers,but leave the pre-programmed titles the same—instant access and no more little slips of paper everywhere.”

Hugo McCulloch, Pleasant Hill, Calif.

4. Carry a small calculator

“If you plan to do a lot of shopping in a foreign country, it helps to have a calculator. When you find something you like, hand the seller the calculator and ask him to enter his best price. It’s
easy to convert the response into dollars so you know what you’re spending. If needed, the calculator can be used to haggle, especially if you don’t speak the language.”

Heather Meyer, Bedford, Mass.

5. Make your stroller stand out

“When traveling to a theme park, tie a bright colored scarf to the handle of your stroller before you enter a ride. When you return, you’ll quickly pick out your stroller from a sea of lookalikes.”

France Minton, Satellite Beach, Fla.

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