When I travel I do not like to get stuck. Over the years I've become quite comfortable buying my way out of a bad situation. For instance, on a recent bus trip to a racetrack with 40 people, and traveling about 250 miles from home, I carried my regular Visa credit card plus my Citibank Black card (no limit), plus my Amex card, $3,000 in cash, and 2 ounces of gold, along with my Rolex and a necklace that has another 1/2 ounce of gold. I also carried my cell phone and two extra batteries and I had my satellite phone tucked away in my backpack. If the bus broke down, I would not have hesitated to buy my way out (or trade my way out) of being stuck on the side of the road, and yes I would have left my 39 fellow passengers to sit it out in the heat, although I'm sure a couple of them would want to pitch in on a limo or rental car to get out with me. While the rest are waiting for a replacement bus, I'll be propping my feet up in the nearest hotel suite.

It doesn't stop there. I've gone as far as purchasing a brand new car to drive out a town that had no rental cars available, purchased an entire new wardrobe to replace lost luggage, and chartered private planes more than once to escape cold fronts and cancelled flights. Like I said, I don't like getting stuck while traveling.

I know this rubs a lot of people the wrong way but oh well, I'm too old to worry about it anymore and I have the means and funds to back up my desires so I use that to my advantage when I travel.