It has been said that there are few experiences like travel. If your life feels like it is stuck in a rut and your brain requires a bit of new stimulation, then packing your bags and exploring places far and unfamiliar can help immensely. Of course, it is not as simple as hopping a plane and jetting to parts unknown. If you are going to have a successful experience while taking a trip, you need to put a good amount of thought into the items you pack for your journey.

Forgetting an essential is an easy way to feel annoyed during the first stage of your trip. Avoid this and give yourself some peace of mind by reviewing these points you absolutely need to consider before you go anywhere.

Money Management

Most people know that they will need to take certain financial considerations to heart when traveling internationally. First and foremost, currency must be exchanged in order for a person entering a foreign country to have access to actual money. Beyond this, however, there are a handful of steps to keep in mind. Some people decide to use cash, while others opt to go the digital route and only use cards. No matter how you plan to pay while away, you need to keep your funds safe from those looking for a quick buck.

Theft is a huge cause for concern for anyone entering territory unfamiliar. Even if you travel somewhere you speak the native language, you need to always have a plan in place for protecting yourself and your possessions. A secure wallet, for example, is absolutely necessary for those planning to travel. This is also true of any documents like your passport you must carry with you while traveling. Not only should the items you purchase be small, they must offer extra protection from those looking to slip into your pockets.

Appropriate Tech Accessories

Another huge area to pay attention to when packing is your tech. Whether you’re only bringing your phone or you plan on lugging along all manner of laptops and tablets, you likely won’t be able to use the same chargers you do back home. This is largely due to the fact that almost every country has a different approach to electricity and how it is accessed. Before departing, research the kind of outlets available in the country you are visiting and make sure you have a compatible charger for your journey.

You may also want to think ahead about data and calls. Your standard plan doesn’t typically include international travel and if it does it is quite expensive. Everyone tends to use different amounts of data when abroad, so you may need to do a little research to understand how to go about allotting enough funds for data and calls. Understanding your data center infrastructure management, or DCIM, can help you get a better feel for how your data is used when you access various parts of your phone.

Sanitation and Hygiene Considerations

When you travel away from home, you are introducing your body to an array of foreign irritants and substances. Even water can pose a threat in some senses, as filtration standards vary from nation to nation. If you’re not used to what you consume, it can land you in the bathroom for the rest of the trip. In addition to being wise with water and meals, be sure to bring along hand sanitizer. Keeping your hands clean at all times is key to your health, so be sure to take the sensible approach with washing and sanitizing.

Though traveling to new and exciting locations might be appealing, you can’t rush out the door without first checking your bags. There are all kinds of essential items that you need to bring with you in order to have the best possible experience. Create a checklist, run through the items a few times, and feel confident that you’ve got everything you need for a successful excursion.