• Ukraine is still primarily a cash economy. You must carry cash with you all the time.
• Only major businesses will accept credit cards. In fact, you can expect to only be able to use your card at the Tourist Hotel, the airline travel agencies, and the hotel in Warsaw.
• Traveler's checks are not accepted very often at all.
• Bring American dollar bills that are in good condition, without tears or writing on them.
• Bring only American bills that display the new design with the large face.
• You may exchange American money for Ukrainian currency in most hotels and supermarkets.
• One American dollar is roughly equivalent to 5.35 Ukrainian bills.
  (1 Ukrainian bill = ~$.18)
• A Ukrainian "dollar" is called a greevna, and is commonly available in denominations of: 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100.
• A greevna can also be broken down into coins, known as Kopex, and is commonly available in denominations of: 1, 2, 5, 10, 25, and 50.
• Tip very little. It is expected to tip a taxi driver or a waiter/waitress less than a single greevna, or not at all.
• The average monthly salary of a Ukrainian is $28 (about 150 greevnas).
• Most families have taken from $4,000-$7,000 OVER the facilitator fees with them when they traveled to Ukraine.
• Also, plan on an extra $1,500.00 at least if adopting a second child.
• Most families have commented that after leaving Ukraine they still had $1,000 to $2,000 left. However, it is still far better to have the cash on hand in case any unforeseen costs arise in Ukraine.
• Recommended Cash Breakdown: $1,000 in 20's, $250 in 50's, $50 in 1's and 2's, and the rest in 100's.