It’s always an exciting time when you go on vacation. You end up counting down the months, weeks, days, and finally hours before you head to your local airport and fly away to an exotic destination!
You undoubtedly have plenty of “street smarts” and know how to take care of yourself in unknown locations. But, one thing you’re not sure of is how to protect your hard-earned money while you’re traveling.
Thankfully, there are many ways to keep your cash safe when you travel, irrespective of your destination. Take a look at the following hints and tips to help you spend your vacation money safely:
Keep All Cash Out Of Sight
The first thing you should do is check that you are discreet when handling your cash. For example, don’t keep it bundled in an open pocket or simply hold it in your hand as you walk. Instead, keep your cash secured away in a wallet or purse, or a money belt.
It also makes sense to keep the amount of cash on your person to a minimum. Don’t have large denominations on you – especially when venturing out to potentially unsafe locations.
Pay For Most Things With Plastic
One of the safest ways to keep your money secure is by making purchases with plastic. Debit and credit cards are safer payment options than cash, plus you’ll find that most retailers accept all popular debit and credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express).
It’s worth having a few different debit and credit cards at your disposal in case you run into any issues when buying things.
Transfer Money To A Local Debit Card
Another thing you should think about doing is transferring money to a local debit card. For example, if you’re planning a trip to the beautiful city of Mumbai, you can send money to India using an internationally-recognized UPI ID linked to a local debit card.
Your travel destination will ultimately govern your money transfer choices, so it’s worth researching which ones will work best for you.
Also Consider A Prepaid Travel Debit Card
It’s also possible to get a prepaid travel debit card offered by an online bank and top it up online via electronic bank transfers. Doing so means you don’t need to visit any banks at your destination; all you need is a valid Internet connection and your smartphone.
A quick Google search will reveal which prepaid travel debit cards will work at your vacation destination. Ensure you compare the cost of bank fees and exchange rates to get the best deal.
Exchange Money At Official Banks
There will be times when you need to get some more cash. If you can’t or won’t use an ATM to withdraw some money, but you’ve got some foreign currency in your purse or wallet, you could think about exchanging that money for local currency at an official bank.
In a nutshell, an “official” bank is one that is established in your travel destination and has several branches across the country.
Avoid Using Secluded ATMs
Withdrawing money from ATMs is also okay if you’re happy to do that. However, it makes sense to avoid doing so in secluded locations – especially at night.
The one thing you don’t want to happen is to get mugged while you’re using an ATM and there’s no one else around to help you! Always use ATMs in busy, well-lit locations such as shopping malls, banks, or even in your hotel.
Password-Protect Your Devices
The sad truth about going on vacation is that some tourists become victims of crime during their travels. That’s why it makes sense to password-protect your devices so the only person that can use them is you.
