Entry bubble Newly Redesigned $5 Bills Now in Circulation

By: Sommer | March 14, 2008 | Category: Money

new $5 bill

Yesterday, Federal Reserve Banks around the country began releasing the newly redesigned $5 bills into circulation.

The new bills were redesigned to incorporate state-of-the-art security features similar to the $50 bill, $20 bill, and $10 bill that preceded it. New security features include two watermarks and a security thread; in addition, the bill has new coloring and a larger, slightly offset image of Abe Lincoln.

Since the older-design $5 bills will always maintain their full face value you don’t have to exchange them for new bills. In fact, every U.S. banknote issued since 1861 is still redeemable today at full face value. If you have old $5 bills that are mutilated or badly damaged you can exchange them through the Treasury Department's Bureau of Engraving and Printing.

| Comments [6] | envelope Email This Entry | Tags: $5bill  currency  money  sommer 

 

Entry bubble Tips for Traveling Overseas

By: Sam | February 06, 2008 | Category: Travel

Next week, I’ll be in the Eternal City exploring ruins, drinking wine, eating gelato, and of course, shopping. But before I can say Ciao, I need to make sure I’m prepared for my trip overseas.

Thanks to Marybeth’s post on travel docs, I have the 411 on everything from entry requirements to the exchange rate‚a necessity for Woman With Luggagecalculating how much the “must have” Italian shoes and bags will cost me. Speaking of shopping, it’s a good idea to make note of your credit card limit and to find out how to report a loss of your card abroad. And don’t forget to get a number that you can call while overseas since the 800 numbers don’t work. You may also want to ask if your card has a “foreign currency conversion fee,” which can sometimes be up to 3%.

I’ve also learned from other overseas trips to leave my travel itinerary and copies of important documents (passport, will, driver’s license, etc.) with a family member or friend. But what do I do if my passport is lost or stolen in Italy? Or, I unfortunately get sick?

USA.gov’s International Travel section is full of useful links that can answer these questions and many more. You can get customs and health info, tips for long-distance calling, emergency services facts, and much more. There’s also important info on how to stay safe on your trip abroad at Pueblo.gsa.gov.

Feel free to share any stories, tidbits, or helpful websites on traveling overseas. In addition to the resources I’ve linked to, I always have found Budget Travel and NBC’s Travel Editor, Peter Greenberg, to be invaluable.

Starting next week, the Wednesday posts will be written by our substitute blogger, Colleen. Although I'm moving on to a new opportunity outside the government, I can’t wait to read her weekly entries since they always manage to provide the right mix of great info and humor, whether they’re about Philly, the Boss, or Beantown. Thanks for reading my posts each week—I’ve really enjoyed our conversations!

| Comments [2] | envelope Email This Entry | Tags: currency  customs  foreign  health  overseas  passport  sam  travel