"Just when the caterpillar thought the world was over, it became a butterfly."

This little thing comes in really handy for me during international trips. Even though I check Yahoo Currency Converter and have a general idea of the exchange rate, I like to know exactly what am spending in local currency and USD. I purchased one from the luggage store at my local mall. One of my biggest fears is to be on a trip and run out of money and that is what happened in Japan. Not a good look. I think I still owe my cousin 3344.58 yen. I got you girl! However, it was a lesson to always over budget and under spend.

Now that lodging, flight, and my excursions are paid for, it's time to calculate spending money. I've looked at the exchange rate trend for Dominican Peso for the last few months and it hasn't changed much, so it probably will be around the same in June. The peso oro is the currency of the Dominican Republic.

Example: I buy pair of earring for RD$500, I paid about $ 13.65USD.

One of my favorite things to do while traveling is SHOP. Shop owners seduce us with the 5 for $10 promotions and before we know it, we're back home with a bunch of odds and ends to never be seen again. T-shirts, mugs, ashtrays, magnets, snow globes, shot glasses, key chains, pens, hats, bags, water bottles and so on. However, it only took me ONE time to come home with a suitcase full of junk to re-think my entire shopping strategy.

Since I scrapbook, I try not to purchase too much and I use free items as souvenirs. Menus, maps, publications and receipts make for a great scrapbook page. Other things I look for are art-work, unique statues/sculptures or one-of-a-kind housewares. Staple souvenirs I collect from each destination are patches. I sew the patch onto a backpack I've had since high school. I took this bag on my first trip abroad and the idea stuck. It has proven to be a great conversation starter when I am sitting alone in an airport.

Another neat idea I picked up a few years ago is to find things to frame. Currency looks beautiful matted and framed. I met a lady who collected menus on her trip to France. She had them matted and framed, then displayed throughout her kitchen. On my cousin's last trip to Africa, I was gifted a drum. I loved it. On top I placed a wooden Geisha doll I got in Japan. The decor at my place is very United Nations with trinkets that have no apparent connection or theme - but that is the point. I take what I collect on my travels and a create an environment (both abstract and concrete) that is inspiring and reflective of my lifestyle. I do collect the cute I ♥____ T-shirts and key chains - those come in handy.

Sometimes people forget about using their camera to collect souvenirs. Don't want to buy it, snap a picture of it. Want to remember a beautiful desert or delicious meal? Snap! Flirted with a cute waiter? Snap! Snap! Picture can be the best souvenirs.

Usually when I am researching a destination ( domestic and international), I look for things unique to that area. This summer, I am in a few Latin countries and I've read faceless dolls and clay artwork are a must. Amber is mined in DR, so I'll be on the look for jewels as well. Stay tuned to see what I bring back.