Money makes the world go round. And literally, when you want to go anywhere around the world, you need money. Traveling the seven seas and taking in the sights and sounds of your chosen destination will be much more enjoyable if you have a considerable amount of cash tucked away in your pockets. Especially for the first time traveler, it’s pretty easy to fall into the trap of getting sucked in by all the excitement and revelry of the trip without taking some time to think about your budget. Here are some money smart tips to keep in mind when traveling to a foreign land.
Honor thy budget. Almost as sacred as the Holy Grail, you must make yourself a budget, and resolve to stick to it no matter what. Make a list of all your travel expenses, ranging from airfare, to meals, to treats to bring home to loved ones. If you’re worried about emergencies, you should allot a certain amount to your budget beforehand. Anything beyond your budget is considered a luxury.
Know the currency exchange rates in the country you’re visiting. Don’t be fooled by scamming money changers or whatnot. Knowledge is power. Keep abreast with currency fluctuations in the news. Educate yourself, so you can kick some serious butt if you must.
Before you leave, do exchange at least $100 worth of your currency into the local currency of your destination country. When you get to that country’s airport, you may have to deal with some airport expenses which require the local currency. If you’re traveling to Italy, for instance, you can check out foreign exchange service providers such as Travelex prior to the actual trip. You can book any online currency with them and later on withdraw it at an agency.
The last thing you’d want to do during your trip is to worry yourself crazy. If you prepare yourself moneywise long before you board that plane, you’re well on your way to a blissful vacation, brimming with photos worthy of your Facebook wall.