Money Money Money
Don’t
Do
Bring enough US dollars to last half the trip, while planning to get the rest out of your debit card. Make sure the bills have no tears, since some countries do not accept bills with rips or pen marks.
Bring a Visa/Mastercard Debit card. Many countries don't accept Discover or American Express. In some countries, the ATM has a better rate than the banks. Paying by credit card on something over $100 can be just as good as converting your money. (also note that your card has a per transaction fee, so don't charge that $10 lunch). Your debit card is also good because maybe you didn't bring enough cash for your trip for some unforseen purchases.
Change the minimum amount you need to survive the day until you can go to a bank or money change station. If I stay longer than a week, I plan on changing my money twice, so I don’t change everything in 1 day.
Ask to get some smaller bills. Banks tend to give you all big bills, and some taxi’s or stores don’t have change for you (or so they claim). money pouch
- - Don’t bring traveler’s checks. They’re a thing of the past.
- - Don’t change money at the airport (except the minimum)
- - Don't change money at your hotel (horrible exchange rates)
- - Don’t count your money outside the bank or ATM. Put it away and count when safe.
- - Don’t pay in dollars (except Panama or El Salvador). It’s cheaper to pay in the native money, even if they claim to accept US dollars.
- - Don’t use credit card in shady looking places. They might steal your info. Your credit card company may fix this, but the process is still stressful.
- - Don’t buy anything at face value. Most countries expect you to haggle the price down.
- - Don’t carry around ALL your money in ONE place. Spread it around, and keep the main stash locked up in your hotel room safe.
Do
Bring enough US dollars to last half the trip, while planning to get the rest out of your debit card. Make sure the bills have no tears, since some countries do not accept bills with rips or pen marks.
Bring a Visa/Mastercard Debit card. Many countries don't accept Discover or American Express. In some countries, the ATM has a better rate than the banks. Paying by credit card on something over $100 can be just as good as converting your money. (also note that your card has a per transaction fee, so don't charge that $10 lunch). Your debit card is also good because maybe you didn't bring enough cash for your trip for some unforseen purchases.
Change the minimum amount you need to survive the day until you can go to a bank or money change station. If I stay longer than a week, I plan on changing my money twice, so I don’t change everything in 1 day.
Ask to get some smaller bills. Banks tend to give you all big bills, and some taxi’s or stores don’t have change for you (or so they claim). money pouch
Buy a small money pouch you can hide under your pants/dress. -not the big ones you put on your belly on top of your clothes. Those are easy to steal, not to mention ugly.
Before going home, change back to dollars all the money that you have. It feels like foreign money can be a good souvenir, but not really. You’ll have plenty of coins that can’t be changed.
Before going home, change back to dollars all the money that you have. It feels like foreign money can be a good souvenir, but not really. You’ll have plenty of coins that can’t be changed.
Contact:
jason@budgetagency.org
jason@budgetagency.org