Tips

Just a few notes of things that we found really useful:

Language
If you are capable of mastering another language in another script - well done.

If like me you can only master a couple of words then here's the first one you need to know: "Spasiba" - it means thank you.  Use it frequently with a polite smile and it will get you through many situations and most awkward exchanges.

Apps
We used 2 apps that made life easier while staying in Moscow:

Google Translate.  Although you need to be online for it to translate, it saves all your previous searches in a list which can be used at anytime.  Great for writing down a few key phrases that you might need, and if you can't pronounce the translation it will speak it for you!

Word Lens. View any printed writing (including signs etc..) and it translates it before your eyes. Quite entertaining.  Not always accurate, but takes some of the guesswork out when the menu is Russian.  Just a note, when you first download it, it works in demo mode. You have to reload your "purchases" even though they are free.

ATMs/Currency Exchange/Cash
I used the ATM in the hotel.  It allowed me to withdraw 10,000 rbs at a time (approx. A$300).  I used a combination of ANZ credit card and ANZ debit card, both worked well (both VISA).  Interestingly my debit card charged a A$5 fee, and the credit card didn't.

I actually would draw out 9,900 so I would receive smaller notes.

Fees will hit you in a number ways:
 - firstly the exchange rate itself.  Its not the middle rate, so the financial institutions make money on this
 - secondly an overseas transaction fee - in my case 3%
 - thirdly ATM fees (none for credit, A$5 for debit) - even though ATM machine said zero
 - fourth if you use a credit card the interest rate is normally higher

I used cash for most of my day to day transactions.  Other carers used their cards with no issues.

In terms of exchanging Australian Dollars there, other carers struggled to find someone to do this. US Dollars absolutely no problem, even the markets will take them instead of Roubles.

Just a quick word on cash - very few places likes to break large notes.  Often we were asked for correct change.  Try not to get caught out by having too little change on you.  Find the vendors (like the hotel Lobby Bar) who will break the notes down for you.  You also try the foreign exchange window.

Laundry

Sam's local laundry!

You may want to consider taking some line/rope and pegs.  Hotel laundry is quite expensive, especially for socks/underwear/t-shirts.  Some liquid detergent can be bought locally and you can turn your bathroom into a laundry!

Supermarket checkouts
In some supermarkets you have to pay for the bags.  In all of them I visited the attendant will ask you if you want a bag.  Often the first question is do you have a loyalty card.  Just motion to the bags, hold up the number of fingers for the number of bags you want, smile and say "spasiba" (thank you).

SIM Cards
I purchased a pre-paid Russian SIM data card for my tablet.  It was only 400 rb and included 4GB of data.  Don't forget you'll have to change your APN settings on your tablet to make it work - you can find these on the net.

The mobile phone shops are in a building just behind the metro and in the large shopping centre with KFC.  There are at least 3 service providers I ended up with MTC.

You will need to show ID (your passport) to buy a SIM.

Email
Your home ISP may block you're outgoing email when overseas.  This means you can receive but not send emails.  This was definitely the case for Telstra/Bigpond.  I'd advise you set up a Hotmail or Gmail account before you travel.

Crockery
I bought a bowl so I could eat cereal in my room each morning.  Finding crockery wasn't as easy as other items.  You may want to consider packing a bowl and spoon so you're off to a easy start.