No matter how hard we try or how perfect the vacation seems, there will probably be a rough spot or two during your travels. Maybe it will be something small like an unfriendly attendant, a flight delay or maybe it will have a bigger impact like losing your luggage or being robbed. Everyone has a story to tell and here are five ways that will help minimize those  U.S. travel woes.

1. Carry your wallet with a rubber band wrapped around it and in your front pocket. The rubber band makes it harder to be lifted from your pocket without you feeling it. Any important papers you can not afford to lose carry with you and do not leave with the hotel. Make a copy of your driver’s license and credit cards and leave them at home. Consider using a prepaid credit card and leave all your others at home all together.

2. Make sure you have important phone numbers like family and friends that can help you, the number to cancel credit cards, your insurance company etc. Keep these numbers in two separate places or have two separate people carry them so to ensure you will have them when needed.

3. If using travel insurance, keep a copy of the policy with someone at home. This way it can always be accessible by someone if it is lost.

4. Make sure you have medical information, like allergies, diabetic, etc., with you. Make sure all you prescription medicines are labeled and up to date. May even consider carrying a small first aide kit with Band-Aids, alcohol packs, iodine and whatever basics you think your vacation may call for.

5. Stay with your luggage until you have checked it in. If you have a carry on, never leave it unattended and if you set it down keep it between your legs or one foot on the handle.

Take a little precaution and keep you next vacation as safe and secure as possible. Though it may not eliminate all your U.S. travel headaches, it could reduce them to being just a small hindrance.