Just a quick tip: use Skype to make your phone calls. All 800-numbers are free to call through Skype. And of course you can also get a US phone number linked to your account in one of two ways: pay for the number through Skype, or just set Skype to link your US-based cell-phone or home number as your Caller ID.

I find this to be the best way of dealing with Financial Institutions and others while travelling, rather than calling their "collect" numbers. As far as they are concerned their system sees my Caller ID as if I'm calling from home. Meanwhile, I can be anywhere in the world.

I imagine Google Voice and other VOIP providers might offer the same.