My brother loves to travel. Numerous trips allowed him to get a clear picture of actions, from collecting a suitcase to planning expenses. He believes that budgeting for a vacation is no less important than preparing a vacation plan, excursions and recreational activities before the trip. In this publication I want to share with you the nuances that my relative told about.
Common mistake
Some people make a mistake already at the initial stage, taking into account only certain expenses for booking a hotel room and air travel. You also must not forget about the cash that you should have with you when you arrive at your destination. We found out how much money to take with us when going on vacation to a particular country.
Start planning with expenses you know
To determine the amount that you will need on a trip, first of all, you need to see the financial situation as a whole. My brother suggests starting with a listing of all prepaid expenses. Among them: hotel accommodation, air travel, transfer, tours, which you can pay in advance.
Then list all possible expenses on the spot, such as: food, entertainment, souvenirs, tips and so on. Compiling this list is one of the secrets of how to relax well and inexpensively.
Prepayment is the best solution.
My brother suggests allocating from this list all those expenses that can be paid in advance so that you do not load yourself with extra calculations on vacation. Prepayment for tours to attractions, meals, transfers will minimize the need for constant calculation of available funds and will not go beyond the planned budget for the trip. Many travel agencies and cruise companies offer their customers the opportunity to pre-pay various types of services and excursions.
Credit Card Usage Options
The amount of cash you own affects your ability to use a credit or debit card. In some countries, for example, Iceland, a more loyal system of using foreign cards than for example in Mexico. That is, the amount of cash taken with you to travel to any selected country or region directly depends on what payment methods are applied there and how common is the use of credit cards. This nuance is worth considering.
In less developed countries, not all stores and restaurants have the possibility of cashless payments. Before the trip, find out from the tour operator about the terms of payment on the spot, the availability of banks and ATMs.
Different types of payment cards imply individual conditions for their use. Check with your service bank if you have the opportunity to use your card abroad and what is the percentage for transactions.
If you are traveling abroad, do not forget to exchange currency
Travelers admit that one of the most annoying things on vacation is the need to look for a profitable currency exchange. These are those rakes that you can step on when traveling at least all year round. That is why my brother recommends taking care of this in advance.
Despite the fact that some travelers prefer to exchange currency on the spot, most often this creates an unnecessary headache. People are exhausted by flights, baggage claim and want to quickly check into a hotel, but are forced to go in search of a bank with a favorable exchange rate. This is one of those mistakes that makes vacation unnecessarily stressful from the start.
If this does not scare you, and you intend to exchange currency on arrival, first find out how problematic it is at the destination. In rural areas and countries with a minimum tourist flow, it is usually extremely difficult to exchange money, so it is better to take care of the sufficient amount of money in advance and only then leave the airport or large settlement - this is the main advice regarding obtaining local banknotes.
Planning in advance will make your vacation more comfortable. Well, if you are already in a similar situation, we recommend that you exchange not all the currency at once, but small amounts as necessary. So you will not lose money on interest and do not spend more than planned.
Average amount you should take with you on vacation
My brother recommends taking some of his country’s money with you, no matter where you go. In addition, he advises to keep several hundred dollar bills in your wallet, while they should be new and with a clear image. The fact is that in some countries the exchange rate for large and new bills is higher. Moreover, they do not take up much space, they are easy to hide and, if they are not needed, return home.
It is noted that on average, tourists spend from $ 50 per day per person. But this amount is approximate, it all depends on the level of your vacation, country of destination and the amount already paid. Goods and services in European countries such as Iceland, Switzerland, Norway are quite expensive, while other popular tourist destinations such as Indonesia, Turkey, Thailand are relatively cheap - it is also worth paying attention to. However, in the last listed countries people spend more on clothes, spices, and souvenirs, so you should decide in advance what you plan to buy.
If you send to rest in places with a high standard of living and did not cover most of the expenses in advance, you will need much more cash than it might seem at first glance.
How to pay and how to store
Despite the fact that American dollars are accepted in many countries, they are still not so popular. Ideally, tour operators recommend paying with local money. Due to the lack of small cash, you probably won’t want to be left without a pint of beer in Ireland, ice cream in Rome, in addition, there should always be cash for a bottle of water and a tip for staff. Having taken care of this, the rest will be full, and money is saved.
It is advisable to get bills from a bag or purse only if necessary. My brother recommends breaking the entire amount that you have with you into several parts and storing it in different places: in your pocket, wallet, hotel safe, baggage, hand luggage.
Tips to keep your money safe
For reliable safety of money and valuables, belt bags are perfect. My brother warns that major losses can be avoided if you do not store money in one place. If you carry all the money with you, in case of loss or theft you will be especially vulnerable, remember this. To keep your personal belongings safe, we recommend carrying a backpack or bag over your shoulder and neck so that it is impossible to steal. Wallet and money are best kept in front pockets. Also try not to open your wallet in crowded places.
To protect bank cards before a trip, visit the nearest bank branch and set daily limits on your card, or for additional financial protection, connect an SMS confirmation of purchases.
Having lost sight of the smallest details, you can get into an unpleasant situation on vacation. Conversely, a clearly organized plan and compliance with all safety precautions will make the long-awaited vacation memorable, without unnecessary stress and fuss.