Crisp new bills and saving for a trip.

[Doll]

What is "T-Doll"?

[JR]

Troll Doll   Made that up myself, like it? I also came up with dRoll but that's a little harder to get across.

[Doll]

Troll Doll   Made that up myself, like it? I also came up with dRoll but that's a little harder to get across.

Not really (don't like it).
I forgive you though. A person who wrote 4 paragraphs about "crisp bills" and then says it was about saving))) can be forgiven.

[JR]

Not really (don't like it).
I forgive you though. A person who wrote 4 paragraphs about "crisp bills" and then says it was about saving))) can be forgiven.

Hmmmm, I find myslef having to post what I previously deleted...
32 words about ATMs.
28 words about using cash in Tashkent.
22 words about going to banks to get new bills.
83 words about saving for a trip.
Yes, you present an inability comprehend the English language. You have already declared you jumped before looking (posted a response without reading), and now exhibit an inability to comprehend content or perform simple mathematical percentages as you scan.
Either that or you're a Troll. I know you need the last word so by all means, forge ahead )

[Doll]

Hmmmm, I find myslef having to post what I previously deleted...
32 words about ATMs.
28 words about using cash in Tashkent.
22 words about going to banks to get new bills.
83 words about saving for a trip.
Yes, you present an inability comprehend the English language. You have already declared you jumped before looking (posted a response without reading), and now exhibit an inability to comprehend content or perform simple mathematical percentages as you scan.
Either that or you're a Troll. I know you need the last word so by all means, forge ahead )

Ok, I am buying it
Out of 4 paragraphs 3 were completely about "newer bulls", the last is a "mixture" of "bills and saving".
JR, sentences make the paragraphs, not words.

I did apologize to be nice.

But if you want to "fight", I am here (I teach  reading (comprehension) at school)
 
I also understood that you were hiding the point about savings (lack of money), but didn't react just to be nice.
 
  My response though was about how to do it through banks. I do it every time I go to Russia.

You can call me anything, just "don't cook me"))))))))))))))))))))))

 In this country it is very easy to do both- newer bills and saving. Banks (online banking) will do the job. Actually, we all have to save, so I do it weekly using this online service (transfer the money).

 One more thing- dollars are not that much valued in Russia any more.

[Doll]

Yes, you present an inability comprehend the English language

OK

[JR]

Ok, I am buying it
Out of 4 paragraphs 3 were completely about "newer bulls", the last is a "mixture" of "bills and saving".
JR, sentences make the paragraphs, not words.

I did apologize to be nice.

But if you want to "fight", I am here (I teach  reading (comprehension) at school)
 
I also understood that you were hiding the point about savings (lack of money), but didn't react just to be nice.
 
  My response though was about how to do it through banks. I do it every time I go to Russia.

You can call me anything, just "don't cook me"))))))))))))))))))))))

 In this country it is very easy to do both- newer bills and saving. Banks (online banking) will do the job. Actually, we all have to save, so I do it weekly using this online service (transfer the money).

 One more thing- dollars are not that much valued in Russia any more.

T-Doll, thank you for proving my point.

[LAman]

Crisp new bills is optimal, I have seen where bills are closely looked over for tears, writing or creases.
I normally take $1500 in cash with a debit card or CC used mostly in ukraine(CC when convienient)
There are some outfits that bill in euros and change if you have usd but you get a terrible exchange rate.
Been several times to Moldova and euros are mostly preferred especially for apts.

[Forever Optimistic]

Later this year I am going on an agency tour. I plan to take $1,000 cash, 2 credit cards, and my ATM card. I dislike debit cards and I don't use them. In the near future I will visit my local bank and inquire about new bills. I would like to get started on collecting bills so that I am ready for the trip several months in advance.

What denominations should I have? All $100 bills? Some $20 bills? I have never seen a clear answer on this subject. I can't imagine someone wanting to break a $100 bill in the Ukraine. Even here in the USA sometimes clerks dislike $100 bills.

[Faux Pas]

Later this year I am going on an agency tour. I plan to take $1,000 cash, 2 credit cards, and my ATM card. I dislike debit cards and I don't use them. In the near future I will visit my local bank and inquire about new bills. I would like to get started on collecting bills so that I am ready for the trip several months in advance.

What denominations should I have? All $100 bills? Some $20 bills? I have never seen a clear answer on this subject. I can't imagine someone wanting to break a $100 bill in the Ukraine. Even here in the USA sometimes clerks dislike $100 bills.

$100 bills. You'll exchange at "money exchanges" or banks and they have no problem with the Benjamins. As noted earlier in the thread. be  sure and take extra precaution to insure your bills are not torn, marked and completely blemish free. Some banks and exchanges will take subpar bills but the rate they'll offer sucks.

$100's are easier to carry and not as bulky as say $20's.

I've heard ironing $100's makes them appear to be new although I've never tried it.

[Daveman]

$100 bills. You'll exchange at "money exchanges" or banks and they have no problem with the Benjamins. As noted earlier in the thread. be  sure and take extra precaution to insure your bills are not torn, marked and completely blemish free. Some banks and exchanges will take subpar bills but the rate they'll offer sucks.

$100's are easier to carry and not as bulky as say $20's.

I've heard ironing $100's makes them appear to be new although I've never tried it.

Agree on the hundreds. That's all I carry.

I've also yet to try the ironing approach, but what the heck.. it could work well.. though the steamer does seem a little impractical in this instance.. 

Make sure there are no marks on the bills... pen marks, stamp ink, etc.  Bills with any markings used to be rejected everywhere, and still are at the small kiosks or exchange shops, though I've *heard* that the major branches will accept less than stellar bills.  Also, you want the issue date to be 2003+.  I had a new looking 1999 (maybe 1998) bill rejected because of the issue date just last week here in Donetsk (though a larger bank branch did exchange it).

If you carry new looking 2003+, not torn, unwrinkled, unmarked, mostly uncreased bills you are very very unlikely to have any problems anywhere.  A little preparation goes a long way to avoid hassles with the currency exchange.

[ECOCKS]

The only problem I have with 100's is when you pull them out the size of the roll my draw attention. Personally, I prefer 50's and would take out only one or two at a time.

You don''t need new, just avoid torn ones or those with writing on them. Not that big a deal really.

[JR]

I have carried brand new and very good condition ones thru hundreds, never had any problems.

Small bills are good for taxis and bazaar type transactions where USD could bring an advantage. Otherwise I use local currency.

[dbneeley]

The U.S. apparently has just released a newly designed $100 bill...and it was on the TV news this evening in Ukraine, with large color photos of the new design. Last time there was a redesign, the new ones made it here more rapidly than you might think--and this time seems to be no exception.

I have never had problems with $100 bills at money exchanges, of which there are many.

David

[Forever Optimistic]

The new bill design has me puzzled. I don't know if I should wait until this summer and take whatever the bank gives me, or if I should go there now and obtain the bill design that is well established.

How are these bills to be carried? Inside an envelope in a messenger bag? If one wants to avoid creases, then obviously the bills cannot be carried in a wallet.

[Faux Pas]

The only problem I have with 100's is when you pull them out the size of the roll my draw attention. Personally, I prefer 50's and would take out only one or two at a time.

You don''t need new, just avoid torn ones or those with writing on them. Not that big a deal really.

Good point. Generally I keep the bulk of my cash hidden away in my flat. When I carry $4-500 on my person I will generally keep a couple in my wallet and a couple more in another pocket so as not to flash. Thats not the attention you wish to attract (not even at home)

[ECOCKS]

The new bill design has me puzzled. I don't know if I should wait until this summer and take whatever the bank gives me, or if I should go there now and obtain the bill design that is well established.

How are these bills to be carried? Inside an envelope in a messenger bag? If one wants to avoid creases, then obviously the bills cannot be carried in a wallet.

Suggestion: You're obsessing. Simply, no tears and no writing will be fine.  Start worrying about where you'll stay, what to pack and lining up your date(s).

Best of luck on your trip.

[Forever Optimistic]

The agency takes care of the accommodations. I am not obsessing at all. I am just wondering about the creases and other imperfections that have been mentioned in this discussion and others.

I plan to keep the cash distributed in two locations -- some back at the hotel in a locked suitcase or safe and the remainder with me in a messenger bag or similar case. After exchanging say $500 for local currency, I will have another $500 in US currency divided among two locations, which minimizes the risk of loss. I don't see any point in leaving home with more than $1,000 if I can use an ATM or (sometimes) a credit card.

The bottom line in this matter is I have come to the conclusion there is no exact way to know what to do prior to my trip. I have read so many stories and interpretations it is impossible for me to know what is right. Everyone seems to have his own method, interpretation, and experiences. The only thing I am certain of is to carry new bills or bills that are close to new.

[dbneeley]

There is nothing wrong with carrying bills in a billfold--which doesn't crease the bills anyway, only folds them. However, I would use either a money clip (my usual choice) or a billfold carried in the front pockets to reduce chances of pick-pockets (again my choice, both in the States and here in Ukraine). The only time I've had my pocket picked, in fact, was on a Mexico City subway one time--but the wallet they took was only full of receipts, since my money was as usual in a money clip in my front pocket.

Personally, I wouldn't leave cash in a hotel room as too many people have pass keys. If the hotel has a safe, that is one thing...if not, I would simply not leave cash there at all.

I would also not put any cash in a messenger bag that could be lost or stolen.

Not many weeks ago, we closed on a new apartment and we had to take cash to the notary office. As you can imagine, that much cash was rather bulky--we hired a car to take me with the money, driven by a man with a long history of working for my wife.

The key is to use common sense and not let paranoia gain control.

Regarding which versions of hundred dollar bills--there are now three versions in circulation. The newest one which is or should shortly be available, which has a large Franklin image and multi-colored printing; the one that is several years old, again with a fairly large image of Franklin, and the version that was common for many years, with the smaller Franklin image. I would take either or both of the first two, and if I could I would avoid the oldest one entirely. While those should be fine for some time, it is always easiest to deal with the newest available designs when in the FSU.

With such a small amount, too, it is probably not worth any angst.

As for ATM machines--in many locations, you may not find ones that have dollars to dispense. Often, American banks charge an additional percentage if you withdraw foreign currency in addition to the charge of the local bank that owns the ATM. In my case, for example, the local bank gets 3 per cent and Chase (my American bank) gets 5% for the foreign currency transfer--in addition to a rather brutally bad exchange rate. If this is acceptable for you, fine.

For such a small amount--a couple thousand dollars--I would simply take the cash and leave ATM transactions for any unexpected expenditures in excess of what you have taken. I'm simply not willing to give up about ten percent off the top for the "privilege" of using an ATM unless I must.

Although robberies happen anywhere in the world, I am far more comfortable in Ukraine than in many U.S. cities when it comes to the prospect of armed robberies, muggings, or the like.

David

[JR]

The new bill design has me puzzled. I don't know if I should wait until this summer and take whatever the bank gives me, or if I should go there now and obtain the bill design that is well established.

How are these bills to be carried? Inside an envelope in a messenger bag? If one wants to avoid creases, then obviously the bills cannot be carried in a wallet.

Sift through everything and use what works for your personality. It is better to simply try to avoid making mistakes than to always do the right thing

Just have fun and let it flow.

[Forever Optimistic]

Thank you for the insights.

I could never use a money clip. The money would be lost or stolen before I left the first airport. The messenger bag would be a very secure method, however. The bag would always be with me whenever I am outside the hotel room. Another idea is to carry spare cash in a money belt.

From what I have been told a budget of $1,000 cash should be enough with an ATM card for emergencies. I don't see myself spending thousands of dollars on expensive meals and other items. Doing that would send the wrong message from the start.

Based on what you wrote, I will not be overly concerned with the bill choice. The ATM fees and exchange rate are of some concern to me. Then again it is sort of another trip expense just as some people waste hundreds of dollars on trip insurance.

[JR]

I used one of those travel pouches on my last trip, it wound up being more pain than help. It was too far out of my established routine and it messed with my dressing habits. I had left my wallet at home so I wound keeping spending cash in one front pocket and half my "stash" in the other while my passport was in my jacket pocket. I still haven't found something that works for me.

[Anotherkiwi]

Thank you for the insights.

...Then again it is sort of another trip expense just as some people waste hundreds of dollars on trip insurance.

Believe me, trip insurance as an item is never a waste.  Having had my phone stolen in China (from a suitcase in my locked hotel room), and losing my wallet in Odessa, I'm well aware of the benefits.  The major plus, of course, is medical cover - you do not want to get sick anywhere away from home without some sort of protection (and the USA is the worst place for costs!).  Make sure, however, that you get the right type.

[ECOCKS]

I used one of those travel pouches on my last trip, it wound up being more pain than help. It was too far out of my established routine and it messed with my dressing habits. I had left my wallet at home so I wound keeping spending cash in one front pocket and half my "stash" in the other while my passport was in my jacket pocket. I still haven't found something that works for me.

Yeah, if you go with the pouch or the money-belt plan it's a good idea to wear it a bit before you go. It can itch or get in a bind under your shirt. My big mistake though was to put my keys to my suitcase locks in it so when the beeper went off going through airport security in Frankfurt I had to remove my sweater,  unbutton my shirt and lift my t-shirt to get it out of the pouch for the security guys. 

UGH! -

[Forever Optimistic]

I wore a money belt on a trip a couple years ago. It worked well for me, especially considering that I was traveling alone. You have to decide what works best for you and use it. I simply cannot have loose  or clipped cash in my pocket. I have lost cash with that method more than once. How anyone could carry cash that way and not lose it within a couple hours is beyond my comprehension. You guys must have duct tape inside your pockets.  

As for the trip insurance, I won't take it. A couple years ago I went on a hiking trip vacation where trip insurance was not optional. But other than that I could never justify its high cost. It just does not work for me.