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RTW Planning

RTW FAQ and Trip Planning Resources

In 2008 I took off on a backpacking trip around the world for 11 months – some of the trip was done completely solo while during other parts I met up with friends and family to share the experience for a bit. I documented all of the travels as well as my RTW expenses, packing lists, and other tips that just might come in handy while planning your own travels around the world.

Some travelers prefer to plan by reading exactly what I did and adjusting from there, while other RTW travelers may prefer a list of resources – or maybe both!

Below you will find a complete set of tips and advice for RTW and long-term travel.

Specifics on my RTW Travels:

A Thorough Guide to RTW and Long Term Travel Planning

Planning long-term travel is overwhelming at best, intensely stressful at worst. I’ve been there, I had a panic attack three-days out from leaving, and I’ve compiled everything I wish I had known before I left, here, for you.

Planning Travel

Budget for RTW Travel?
What Should I Pack?
What Electronics Should I Travel With?
How to Keep Electronics Safe?
How to Pick the Right RTW Backpack?
Which Credit Cards are Best for Traveling?
Plan Destinations and RTW Route
Should I Buy a RTW Ticket?
Vaccinations, Purging Your Stuff, and Women’s Issues

On the Road Concerns and Questions

Hostels, Hotels, or Free Options?
Visas? Can I get Visas as I travel, or in Advance?
Laundry on the Road?
What’s the Deal with Sunscreen/SPF?

Working and Traveling

How Can I Work/Freelance and Travel?
Wait, Can I Make Money Running a Travel Blog?
Handling US Taxes While You Travel

RTW travel and gear and planning resources

What Should I Pack?

I don’t even want to talk about how much stress I allowed to form over packing for my RTW trip. A lot. I debated, I was sure there was a right and wrong answer. There isn’t. There is no right and wrong answer and you can buy nearly everything you’d want while you’re traveling.I promise, they have stores abroad to replace your cotton-tees, and even legitimate fancy-outdoors stores like Columbia and NorthFace in the big cities (Dehli, Bangkok, Mumbai, Kuala Lumpur, etc).  At the end of this section, I share sample packing list from other male, female, family, and RTW travelers.

So with that in mind, what should you pack? Fancy super-tech clothes that wick moisture and block out UV rays or should you opt for your favorite, comfortable clothes. Should I pack expensive dry-fit clothes? Yes, you’re going to want a few dry-fit super clothes.  Before my RTW  I went overboard pre-buying super-clothes and sent some home) I now simply carry:

  • An SPF shirt (like the rashguards surfers wear) for hiking/diving/snorkeling/outside stuff
  • A pair of quick dry adjustable pants: super-comfortable for the same activities.
  • Hiking socks: these are no joke, take care of your feet on the road. I love SmartWool socks and find it worth the investment in a pair (or two if you’re super-outdoorsy).

That takes care of the warm-weather outdoorsy activities, so I also bring:

  • A fleece loose enough to fit a long-sleeve cotton shirt or my thermal underneath
  • A thermal under-shirt

That takes care of the super-clothes. Seriously, unless you are accustomed to this type of clothing, and you wear it on a regular basis anyway, there is no reason to transform your entire travel wardrobe into expensive travel clothing. What About Cotton Shirts and Jeans? Other than the handful of expensive, special travel-clothing items, I add to my backpack my favorite cotton tee of the moment, some other t-shirts, one long-sleeve shirt, a tank top, two skirts of varying lengths, and a pair of capri pants.

This is where it gets dicey. Some long-term travelers would tack me to a dart-board for this advice, but I do actually travel with a pair of jeans and I wouldn’t stop for the world. Many claim it’s overkill: they take ages to dry, they smell bad if they’re wet for too long, and they are heavy. But I’m used to them, they’re super comfortable, they’re good in cold weather and for going out.

INSIDER TIP:  What it really comes down to is packing whatever you feel most comfortable with! There is no right or wrong answer here and you can ship some things home, and buy the other things you wish you had brought. I wish someone had told me what I just told you: buy some of the fancy and then pack what you would wear on a weekend trip (think someplace like the desert- hot days of sightseeing and warm bundling at night).

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

YOUR NEXT STEP: Head to your local outdoor’s store and peruse Amazon. Buy what you think you’ll need, then be done with it! I promise once you give yourself permission to stop thinking about packing your pre-planning stress levels will drop dramatically.

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What Electronics Should I Travel With?

Computer: I carry around my five year old Dell PC–it’s getting rough around the edges after 3+ years of travel, but it’s never been stolen (knock on wood for me, will ya) and I keep it safe with a PacSafe when I’m in sketchy areas. There is also the option of packing a cheap netbook too, if you’re not working on the road. Read Should I Bring my Laptop for an in depth discussion as other travelers weigh in on the options out there right now.

Camera: I carry a Panasonic GF1 Micro Four-Thirds. For me, I consider micro four thirds cameras the ultimate travel cameras and my review of my Panasonic shares why. But basically, it’s almost to the level of a DSLR (with detachable lenses and everything) but at least half the size and weight of traditional DSLR and far nicer photos than a point and shoot. Nothing wrong with a point and shoot though (a friend captures great ones with the Cannon S95 deluxe point and shoot) and it’s what I used for the first two years!

iPhone/Smartphone: I adore my iPhone with every fiber of my being; if you unlock your smartphone you can buy cheap SIM cards (about $2) and plans for well less than $10 a month to use on the road. This helps when meeting up with other travelers and calling guesthouses to book ahead. Also, the cameras and social sharing features are fantastic and mean you don’t always have to carry your bigger camera when your little one takes 5 mega-pixel photos!

SteriPen Water Purification:  A UV light sterilizes unsafe water in about a minute. I used this extensively throughout India, also Laos, and other really undeveloped countries where filtered, clean water is harder to come by. The SteriPen Traveler is now a great priced option (it’s less expensive but as awesome as the one I used and reviewed) and you can check out the  reviews on Amazon for the SteriPen.

Kindle or eBook Reader:  The Kindle book reader is an amazing device and though I resisted it, the electronic readers have transformed the way the Westerners consume their books and massive amounts of internet content. Though they are still new in the travel space, expect them to become a standard travel accessory. Major pros include: battery life (20+ hours), WiFi, hundreds of books at your fingertips. The one pro is carrying yet another piece of electronics!

How To Keep Electronics Safe

This is a tough question and one that every traveler handles differently. On my end, I left on my RTW trip with enough money budgeted in for a brand new computer and with the assumption that it would get stolen at some point and I would need an immediate replacement. That never happened, but it is still how I think about the situation and as a freelancer I plan for this to happen and have my contingency fund in place.

Though on my first RTW trip I did not carry insurance on my electronics, I often do now, and I have heard good things about Clements Insurance  (though have never had to make a claim, thankfully!).

For safety, I carried a PacSafe mesh backpack net with me and it covered backpack and my gear and then could be affixed to a solid object. It’s an expensive device and I used it like 6 times the whole trip, but when I did use it I was so grateful to have that extra layer of protection. Other people have carried one and claim it’s heavy (it is) and a waste of space (it is if you don’t ever use it…) so it’s really a personal preference!

There have been days I went sightseeing all over a new city with a heavy computer strapped on and causing sweat to drip down my back…but I knew it was the cost of bringing my job on the road with me and was willing to take the discomfort for the peace of mind that I still had my computer (and thus a way to make money) at the end of the day. This is not often the case, but it will happen if you’re at a guest house or hostel that just doesn’t seem very safe.

As far as visibility, I used mine at coffee shops and that sort of thing, but I did keep in mind the situation and if it was appropriate to bring it out in public (like I wouldn’t show it at the beginning of a 16 hour train ride in India if I planned to sleep at some point).

Netbooks are a good compromise for backpackers who want the convenience of a laptop without the stress of an expensive device! For freelancers it comes down to just being one of the sacrifices you make to travel.

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How to Pick the Right RTW Backpack?

We cover choosing the right RTW backpack in depth on a page all it’s own since it’s such an important part to enjoying a happy trip. But in case you’re in a hurry, here are five super-quick backpack picking tips:

  • Go as light as you think you need: I have never yet met a backpacker who wishes they opted for the larger pack. This will be carried up hills, racing for trains, and all over the world – keep extra weight out of your pack by picking just the right sized pack!
  • Comfort over style: Cannot stress this one enough. Spend some time in your outdoors store, ask them for weights, and carry the weighted down backpack around the store for at least 10-minutes. Then go home and think about it. An ill-fitting backpack is exceedingly uncomfortable at best and can permanently injure your back at worst.
  • Carry-on size or you pay extra!: The US is not the only place you pay extra for luggage. Low-cost airlines all over the world charge for luggage. If you can meet the carry-on size guidelines, and pack the right sized liquids and all of that, it’s may be worth saving money each time you fly low-cost airlines.
  • Consider your backpack and investment: Backpacks are not cheap. Most run in the US $150-$250 range, which means this is a serious investment for your trip. The good news is these packs are built to last, my Eagle Creek backpack lasted in pristine condition for three years before one minor compression buckle broke (easily replaced in Asia) and is still kickin’.
  • Properly adjust your pack: Buying a well-fitting backpack is only half the battle – now you have to ensure it’s adjusted properly. I have, no joke, readjusted the packs of at least two dozen backpackers over the past several years as their pained expressions on their faces tell me straps are misplaced, too tight, torso too short, etc. Take the time to fit it perfectly to your torso size.

YOUR NEXT STEP: Read our thorough guide to choosing the right RTW backpack. Shop online and look around at pack styles and prices you like, then head to your nearest REI or outdoorsy store to touch and feel all of the options. If you want a quick cheat (for a woman’s-fit pack) this is the nearest new model to my backpack and I love it dearly:  Eagle Creek 55L Truist.

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Which Credit Cards are Best for Traveling?

Credit and debit cards are yet one more concern when you’re traveling. What if you lose one? And which cards have the best international withdrawal rates?

These questions differ drastically depending on your home country, but my “What’s in Your Travel Wallet Post” is full resource for North Americans (read through the comments for suggestions from other travelers) traveling outside North America for any length of time.

Your quick five considerations for picking a travel debit and credit card:

  • The Transaction Fees – When used as a credit card, most debit and credit card companies tack on a 1% to 3% foreign transaction fee.
  • Withdrawal Fees – The cost of withdrawing cash from your debit bank account.
  • Are any countries blocked? –  Some countries are flagged as “highly likely for fraudulent activity.”
  • Online Banking - Can you access your account balance abroad?
  • Carry different brands – Visa and MasterCard are the most widely accepted and yes, you need one of each.

Also, my father is on my bank account and handles any surprising issues that crop up for me (and he deposits any rogue paychecks that come in). I am very thankful I put my dad on my account because when my debit card got money stolen from it they wanted someone in person and he was able to easily handle all of that in my name. I recommend having a trusted family member or friend who can work on your behalf if necessary.

YOUR NEXT STEP: For specific instructions read through our guide to the best travel credit cards where other travelers weigh in too.  Check your rates and look at banks at least three months before you RTW begins so you have time to request new cards (they don’t expire within the year do they?) and open new accounts if necessary.

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How Much Should I Budget for RTW Travel?

Oh the question of budgeting, that’s a biggie and a valid concern – you certainly don’t want to plan for a year and then run out of funds in month eight! MY RTW Budget tracked my expenses throughout 2009 world travels and can be used as a rough guide for expenses in the developing world versus developed world travel so you get a rough idea what daily costs you’re facing once you hit the road.  You could likely get by with as little as US $12,000 per year if you stick to one region (for example overland for a year from Mexico to Argentina, or overland through China, Southeast Asia and India). That price jumps as high as US $20,000 for moderate budget travel, flights to new regions and traveling rather rapidly. If you’re against hostels, up the price by as much as another $10,000 if you’re feeling more cash flush and prone to splurging on expensive extras like helicopter rides, diving, and adventure activities. Other considerations:

  • Your Route and Speed Around the World: This is the single biggest indicator of how much you will spend. Minimize the number of flights you need to take by traveling overland and slowly and to fewer places. Seriously, we all have a dream list, but if you’re on a limited trip (as opposed to open-ticket, no planned return RTW travels) then you’ve likely over-packed your route. The best advice I received on my RTW was to cut out 5 of the 17 planned countries – reflecting back on it, I can’t even imagine where they would have fit?!
  • Which Countries You Visit: If you add in developed countries like Europe, the United States, and Australia you will see your daily budget more than double (instead of $30/day in SEA and Inda, you’re looking at $75-$100/day in the UK, and Western Europe). Weight your trip heavily in favor of developing regions of the world – there’s a lot you’re already going to miss as you travel through, and I guarantee you won’t be bored spending a few extra months going more slowly. 100 % guarantee.
  • Eat Local Food, Street Foods, and Shop in Markets: How you eat on your travels impacts the bottom line; eat locally and at the street food stalls when you find them (rampant throughout Southeast Asia, India, Central America, etc) – they’re perfectly safe as long as you find the food stalls the locals are using too! Western food is more expensive and rarely actually tastes good anyhow. Local food is a window into the culture, so dig deep and eat like the locals, asking the vendors questions and learning more about each country’s food peculiarities. Also, when traveling in Western countries, shop for groceries and cook at the hostel at least two meals per day to limit costs!

RESOURCES
Also consider these handful of other budget post from RTW travelers who have tracked their expenses, and shared their tips!

YOUR NEXT STEP: Read my RTW Budget Expenses for a costs baseline and download the Free Budget Spreadsheet for tracking your own expenses once you start traveling around the world. To get research a variety of RTW budgets, check out Jodi’s destination budget links. Also, save up! Don’t go into debt on this trip, truly heed this advice, save up enough before you leave.

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How do I Plan My Travel Destinations and RTW Route?

If you’re traveling on a short trip, consider my Mini RTW Travel Guide section. Rather than an exhaustive option with too many choices and decisions, I recommend the guest-houses I loved, experiences taking you deeper into the culture, as well as the iconic sites worth your time. Also included are vegetarian tips within each country, an internet quality assessment, and tons of other personalized extras. RTW and long-term travelers have some extra considerations, and while my mini RTW Travel Guide is great once you’re on the ground, consider these RTW route-planning tips:

  • Pick one direction for your round the world trip: You’re either going east to west, or west to east. Backtracking is expensive, causes more jetlag, and is bad for the environment.
  • Find creative overland routes: Local transportation is way more fun than flying, you’ll see more and have richer experiences. Pick clusters of countries to visit that share borders so you can easily cross through (also look up visa restrictions for your nationality, this can make a tough decision easier since you need to apply in advance for some countries.
  • Fulfill your bucket list: This is your opportunity to cross of a lot of your bucket list items–those places and activities you’ve only dreamed of experiencing. Pick them out, plot them on a map and watch how this easily shapes your route.
  • Research festivals: I adore epic, huge festivals, they’re amazingly full of life and people. The worst feeling in the world is missing a huge festival by just a week or two, so plan accordingly. Consider these festivals to throw into the mix: La Tomatina in Spain every late August. Holi the Festival of Colors in India takes place generally in March, while Thailand’s Songkran Water Festival often falls within April.
  • Plot out weather trends: I planned my trip chasing summer around the world–I despise the cold and this was ideal for my preferences. Do what feels good for you, and research destinations ahead of time. Islands can be un-enjoyable during monsoon season, as can India. Australia is ideal during North American winter, but surprisingly cold and snowy during the winter if you haven’t done your research!
  • Consider buying a RTW Ticket: We cover this in more depth just below since it’s such a popular question. I work online and have no fixed timetables so I prefer to purchase one-way tickets and travel with absolute openness and flexibility. That’s not the best choice for all travelers, and if you know the exact date of return, RTW tickets can price out similarly or lower-priced than buying ticket-by-ticket.

As in previous advice, there is no wrong answer here you will love some places, feel mediocre toward others, and perhaps even leave early from a few if they just don’t jive. That’s okay; until you visit for yourself you’ll never know what it’s like and moving around from country to country is infinitely easier than I thought it was pre-RTW.

YOUR NEXT STEP: Either hop over to our Travel Guides to see if we’ve covered your next destination, or consider picking up a Lonely Planet guide if you want help with budget transportation and accommodation, or Rough Guides for a bit more history-heavy travel guides. Also remember, slowing down means you may just avoid the dreaded travel fatigue–you know it’s hit when you’ve lost your wanderlust.

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Should I Buy a RTW Ticket?

Good question! And you’re not alone in making this decision. I did not purchase one, but that’s for many reasons, including I worked from the road and didn’t have the money upfront…though I probably still wouldn’t have anyway.

Because this is such a stressful question (I thought long and hard too) I covered it in a full pro and con debate style post: Should You Buy a RTW or Book as You Go?

If you’re in a hurry, here’s the core five points within the “Buy RTW Ticket” debate:

  • Flexibility: Locked into a firm route versus book as you go and accept those prices.
  • Type of Flights: Airline Alliances on a RTW and budget-low-cost-no-frills on book as you go.
  • Planning Stress: You either face the stress at internet cafes on the road or in your RTW prep madness at home
  • Cost Comparison: How do the costs really stack up at the end of a trip?
  • Choosing a RTW Tickets and budget airlines: Which one offer the best all around – service, cost, and product.

YOUR NEXT STEP: Read through our guide to making the RTW ticket buying decision. Do some price digging and look into your own travel style! Some people choose fully overland travel by buses, boats trains and bikes . The mere thought of leaving without a return ticket causes heart palpitations in the hearts of hard-core trip planners, while others already know they plan to dawdle and go at a slow and unplanned pace around the world. All are great choices because it comes down to whatever works best for you and your travel dreams  :-)

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Vaccinations, Your Stuff, and Women Issues

This is the hodge-podge category, covering a little bit of everything left to plan for your RTW trip.

What Vaccinations do You Need?
I find this question is best answered my your nearest travel clinic. If you want an outline of the recommended shots, The Center for Disease Control is the best source on the internet for the vaccination-inclined. Also, a travel blogging family managed to save about $1,000 by getting their shots at the beginning of their RTW trip at a very reputable travel clinic in Thailand: Cut the Cost of Travel Vaccinations.

How Do  I Get Rid of My Stuff?
Purging for long-term travel for long-term travel necessary, I was fortunate that my storage location was on the exact opposite side of the country (Los Angeles to Florida) so I sold every single possession that wouldn’t fit in my car (and subsequently my parent’s closet).

Even if you have the room and luxury of not purging before your next trip, consider stripping yourself down: minimalism is the new pink.

How Should I Handle My Period on the Road?
I love the Diva Cup with every fiber of my being. It’s a reusable, medical-grade silicone menstrual cup that I fully reviewed just after my RTW finished. It’s sanitary, you never have to buy tampons on the road, and it’s ideal for remote travel when can’t dispose of trash.

YOUR NEXT STEP: Read through the three main resources about needed shots from the CDC, purging and selling the crap you own before you leave, and taking care of your period during travel.

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How Can I Work/Freelance and Travel?

Tricky question! It depends on your skill-set, your travel style, and what you’re looking for out of your RTW trip. I traveled and worked consistently around the world and it meant slowing down considerably, avoiding places without internet connection (yes, they do exist) and staying inside cranking out work instead of sightseeing some days. But there are options, there are even travel-job options if you’re creative!

This is a frequently asked question, so I have a whole page dedicated to ways to make money remotely through the internet with tips and thoughts on whether a chosen path is even viable. Also of concern is the “should I bring my laptop question?” – I discuss that in depth along with the other options out there like netbooks, iPads, and smartphones instead.

Now, if you are already a freelancer and you have clients in place and some jobs that you know will come in as you are traveling then you should be fine. I have one client who has long paid a large portion of my bills and is my safety net. If you plan to travel and work as a freelancer in your trade then line up as many contacts and jobs as you can ahead of time and carefully plan out when you will go without internet!

YOUR NEXT STEP: Read through my tips on How to Make Money Working Remotely where I list websites and job boards for freelancers, teachers, and various other remote jobs. Then check out Resources  for Current Online Entrepreneurs and if you’re new to the idea of working remotely, then head to Chris Guillebeau’s guides for Breaking Out of the 9-5.

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Wait, Can I Make Money Running a Travel Blog?

You bring up a valid question, and when you’re reading around the internet it seems as though every travel blogger out there is touting ways to make money off your website. What could be more ideal, right? You travel, you blog and share your stories, and you get paid to do it!

Not quite that easy. There are a lot of travel blogs on the internet right now and those making serious cash (or any cash for that matter) from solely their travel blogs are few and far between. It’s hard work to edit photos, write posts, engage in social media (Twitter, Facebook, StumbleUpon) and upload content on dial-up internet speeds. There is a great community of bloggers, but please don’t start a blog with dreams of making money, it’s not the reality for the vast majority of bloggers. Know that most travel bloggers making money run several websites or freelance write for paying publications! Here’s what others have to say:

YOUR NEXT STEP: Read through: Should You Start Your Own Travel Blog? and seriously think “What do I want out of my once-in-a-lifetime RTW trip?” Also, if you already have a travel blog then read  How Travel Bloggers Make Money, a post written by another travel blogger in the industry–it is surprisingly thorough and detailed.

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Should I Stay in Hostels, Hotels, or Free Options?

One fear cropping up in some emails I receive concerns lodging. How do I find places to stay on the road and how do  know they’re safe. What about those free options like Couchsurfing and WWOOFing? I use a combination of resources and it really depends on which country I visit – some places truly don’t require advanced booking! While others are sold out weeks in advance.

I’ve travel for several years now and combined all of my travel accommodation booking tips and advice into the RTW Travel Accommodation 101 resource – a page chock-full of links, suggestions, and explanations and how-tos for hostels, WWOOFing, and Couchsurfing.

YOUR NEXT STEP: RTW Travel Accommodation 101

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Visas? Can I get Visas as I travel, or in Advance?

This is going to take some research on your part, because every single country on earth has different visa requirements depending on your nationality. Your government may list out each country, (for fellow Americans the government has a handy resource for visas and travel warnings), and that is a launching point. Also check the official site for country you’re visiting for more details.

In some cases you can receive a visa on arrival, others can take a week or more (India, China…) and you have to pay. In nearly every case you must adhere to very strict specifications on the length of time you are allowed to stay in the country and leave before then or face hefty fines and penalties!

Also check to ensure you are allowed to obtain the visa from an embassy in a foreign country (you can easily get a Vietnamese visa from the consulate in Thailand but it is next to impossible to get a Russian visa outside your home country). This is one of the trickier parts of traveling so do your research!

YOUR NEXT STEP: Check the official travel site for your country, it just might list out the requirements and warnings for you. If you want to push the “easy” button then Christine from Almost Fearless has a handy and cheap guide to visas in 235 countries ideal for North Americans.

Laundry on the Road?

Don’t fret about this! There are places to do laundry in every country and if I am trekking or really can’t find something I hand-wash it (this is often the case with underwear if I run out I just hand wash a few!). Laundry can be really cheap to have someone wash and dry it for you, and if you’re in a pinch then you’ll need to hand wash.

When I volunteered in Nepal I had to handwash my own clothes because we were outside of the tourist areas, but most locals and guest house owners will provide you with a couple buckets and you can make quick work of it. Though it’s not glamorous, learning how to really get your clothes clean on the road is a bit of a rite of passage for long-term travelers ;-)

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What’s the Deal with Sunscreen?

I used to be surprised by how often this question crops up…but now I get it, fellow pasty white Westerners are concerned about all of the adventure activities and staying sun-safe.

So, yes, I wear oodles of sunscreen when I am out sight-seeing. I also bring one fancy SPF shirt (one of the rashguards that surfers wear) and use the SPF shirt for diving/snorkeling/hiking/on a very long sightseeing day. This really does wonders for keeping a sunburn away.

Also, pack a wide-brimmed floppy hat and then actually wear it!

The last consideration is bringing the sunscreen with you. In Asia most of the sun creams and face washes have tons of extra “whitening chemicals” so I bring a decent amount of my favorite sunscreen (Neutrogena) to get me through. But if I run out, it’s easy to restock over there if (get the children’s sunscreen to avoid the whitening chemicals!).

Handling US Taxes While You Travel

Let’s start upfront by noting that I am not a tax accountant so take this all with a grain of salt; it’s my personal experience with taxes from the road.

I have an accountant in the United States who does my taxes, I went this route about five years ago when I started writing off expenses related to freelancing and running myself as a business–I feel that using an accountant saves me money in the end because he knows all of the extra discounts as well as the specifics so I don’t mistakenly file something incorrectly! Also though, because I never travel for a full year anymore, I tend to have him file an extension for me and then I do my taxes when I come home. This works for me but might not if you’re out of the country from April through October (when the extensions must be filed). In that case, get everything in order before you leave.

My parents handle mailing in any of my W2s to my accountant and the rest is taken care of by my accountant. I am not particularly meticulous and really suck at organization but yet somehow to easily file each year. I prefer Paypal payments when possible because they are easy to track and convenient.

I keep a Google Spreadsheet to log all of my incoming money, then I log expenses (like internet on the road, any extra room costs for internet on the road/a desk in the room, etc) as well in various categories with the date, country, expense in local currency and expense in international currency. This is where I keep track of anything extra that crops up that you might forget later down the line — log it in the spreadsheet and then send to your account for magical wonders because all you need to send in are the category totals and they put the deductions in the proper spots! :)

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Don’t hesitate to contact me if there are any other questions or something I can help you with!