Travelling offers many benefits beyond just being another vacation. It exposes you to new things, boosts your creativity, makes you physically healthier, and it also makes you happier by allowing you to relieve stress and anxiety by disconnecting and recharging. The downside of travelling is that it can cost a lot of money— but here are some money travel tips that can help you save and make the most of your money.
7 Money Travel Tips for all Travelers to Follow on Their Next Vacation
#1: Apply for a Rewards Travel Credit Card
Credit cards can be a great tool when used wisely, and applying for a credit card that gives travel rewards is a smart way to use a credit card. Many credit cards offer rewards such as cashback, free upgrades, and even free travel, so if you’re a frequent traveller, you’ll benefit from this type of credit card. Just keep in mind that you should pay off your credit card every month to avoid additional fees and to keep your credit score up.
#2: Money Travel Tips – Always Choose Tours Wisely
It’s important to choose reputable companies when looking into tours and activities because there are a lot of companies out there that are looking to rip off tourists. Also, you’ll want to make sure that any animal tours are being ethically and legally run. There are many tours out there being run by people who are only looking to make money. On the other hand, many destinations have free walking tours that let you get a better (and ethical) feel of the area— at no cost to you!
#3: Don’t Spend Beyond Your Means
Travelling is supposed to be an enjoyable experience, and nothing kills joy faster than being in debt. If you can’t afford to travel internationally, you shouldn’t— but that doesn’t necessarily mean that you shouldn’t travel at all. You may have to stick with domestic travelling for the time being, or maybe even take a “staycation” in your hometown. If this doesn’t interest you, you can always save up until you can afford to take an international vacation.
#4: Notify Your Bank of Your Travel Plans
If you bank with a good and reputable institution, then your bank will either send you alerts or even block your debit/credit card(s) if they suspect that someone has gained access to your bank account. Of course, this is a great feature to have, but it can be annoying when you’re travelling abroad and can’t get access to your money. Notifying your bank of your travel plans beforehand can help avoid this headache. It’s also a good idea to carry two or three different cards (these can be easily cancelled if stolen) and some cash.
#5: Respect the Local Culture
Although this isn’t a money travel tip, it’s still an important travel tip. It’s always a good idea to learn about the culture and customs of the place you plan on travelling to. This can also relate to money in terms of tipping (some cultures see tipping as an insult whereas it’s expected in others). For the most part, you’ll want to look into what a culture deems appropriate clothing and behaviours.
#6: Travel Insurance is a Must
The average person has car insurance, health insurance, life insurance, and homeowners/renters insurance, but if you’re travelling (especially internationally), you should also have travel insurance. This type of insurance covers losses that may occur while you’re travelling. Policies differ, but travel insurance typically covers damage to personal property, trip cancellation/interruption, medical coverage, and accidental death. Accidents can happen anywhere, and a personal injury lawyer should be contacted if someone else was at fault.
#7: Use Small Bills
When carrying cash, make sure to use small bills. This can be used for tipping and just to have emergency cash on hand in case of an emergency. US currency works just about anywhere, or it can be easily converted/exchanged for the local currency. However, most people choose to exchange their money at the airport so they won’t have to worry about not having the correct currency.
Following these seven travel tips will help you have a better experience and will allow you to feel better about the money you spend while on your vacation. In addition to money tips, you should also practice basic safety tips when travelling abroad or even domestically. Don’t put yourself at risk and don’t let your guard down. It’s also safer to travel in a group versus travelling alone.
