Managing Funds
Staying on budget is vital to the overall success of your experience as it decreases stress and keeps you safe and secure. It’s one thing to create a preliminary budget prior to your trip; it’s quite another thing to actually stick to that budget—as there are always inevitable surprises along the way. For instance, did you know that different countries have different expectations for tipping at restaurants? Explore Tip Advisor to learn more about gratuity in destination.
Research your host country’s currency and their exchange rates. It may be best to exchange American dollars for the foreign currency prior to departure. Be wary of airport exchange counters and exchange counters at touristy spots.
Contact your bank and credit card company prior to departure, and notify them of the countries you are visiting and when. Otherwise, your bank and credit card company will lock down your card(s) due to suspicious activity. When using an ATM abroad, be aware that there are international fees.
Although you should include an emergency fund and some extra cushion in your budget, it’s a good idea to have a contingency plan in the event that you run short on money. Research various banking apps that allow money to be transferred electronically (i.e. PayPal, Venmo, Zelle etc.). Don’t keep all of your money and cards in one place in the event that you get pickpocketed or lose your wallet.
