Need help figuring out $$$$
 

Am going to Ireland in a couple of weeks for 14 days. Any suggestions on how much money to take and in what portion traveler's checks and how many pounds. I have never been out of the USA before and have no clue. Don't even know where the best place is to go to exchange the money. HELP!!!!!!!!!

Don't take either. Use your ATM and credit cards.

I would get $100-150 exchanged into pounds before you go. Most major banks in the states can do this for you (although some branches may need a few days notice.) This way you land with money for a cab, coffee whatever. <BR> <BR>After that I somewhat agree with the previous poster. We have come to use our ATM card almost exclusively for getting cash---have found it gives us the best exchange rate (I think there was long post on this topic a few months ago---try a search.) We use our credit card for hotels, restaurants etc.--partly because we earn miles for each dollar toward the next trip and also becuase the exchange is usually better. <BR> <BR>We still take some travelers checks but have not used them at all on probably our last five trips (somehow can't let go of having them for someadded security.) We're also heading to Ireland in September. Have a great time.

Careful which pounds you get; you'll want the Irish punt (pound) if you're going to the Republic. We always get about $100 in local currency from our bank or American Express office before we leave (after you land, you can buy a paper, or a coffee, or a soda, or catch the train that's just leaving and worry about money later) and then ATM the rest. Use your credit cards for purchases (especially anything you ship home), hotels, whatever - ATMs and credit card rates are the interbank rates vs the let's-stick-it-to-the-guy- in-thebullstshirt rate. NEVER exchange money in a hotel; next worst is a train station. The best rates are either banks or cambions/bureaux de change, BUT you have to check carefully. Great rate? Is there a $5 'fee' on top? 5% fee on top? Amex rates usually aren't half-bad, and if you're cashing their TCs, there usually isn't a fee. <BR>Don't depend on ONE credit card or ONE ATM card - have at least 3 in case the ATM machine eats your card or the credit card company panics (heads up here, you might want to notify your credit card company and your bank that you'll be travelling overseas so they don't block your account because you just bought $800 of Waterford IN Waterford!)

Thanks to all of you for the good information. I will do as you say and have a wonderful time.