Pickpockets and thieves are rampant in certain parts of the world. While falling prey to one is unlikely, it always helps to be prepared. I recommend activating a new credit card before departing on your trip.

Remember to notify the card company you'll be leaving the country and always keep it in a secure spot -- separate and apart from the rest of your travel money! -- wherever you're staying.

In the event your wallet is lost or stolen, you can rely on you emergency card for the remainder of your trip.

Road trips can be some of the best vacations ever. Don't ruin yours by losing your car keys.

When I was an undergrad, one of my most memorable road trips was from Ann Arbor to Chicago. Although we had a blast, our trip took a turn for the worse when our driver lost his car keys. As a result, he had to take a four hour train ride back to campus, pick up his spare key, and return to get the car.

If our driver had an extra car key in his wallet, he would have saved himself a lot of trouble (and time).