What tasks would I need to complete to prepare for any international trip, regardless of destination?

When I travel, I find that there are certain things I always have to do before I leave, regardless of where I'm going.

And, when I talk with other travelers, I find that many of these same things apply when they travel as well — regardless of where they are traveling, they have to run through these same "preflight" preparations as well.

The tasks typically fall under the following categories:

1. Legal (Paperwork/Documentation)
2. Economic (Cash/Cards)
3. Safety (Contacts/Research)
4. Cultural (Language/Etiquette)

Although pre-travel preparations are always a little bit different depending on the destination, travelers and purpose, these are the tasks that you have to do regardless of where/how/why you are going.

What tasks do travelers need to complete before any international trip, regardless of the destination?