It’s a traveler’s worst nightmare – being stuck abroad without access to your hard earned funds. And whether the airline lost your bags, the machine ate your card, or someone stole your cash, you really don’t want to have to throw yourself at the mercy of strangers to find a place to sleep, or break into an international bank!
It’s always good to have a Plan B and prepare for the worst case scenarios before you leave home, though if you can keep your money safe while abroad to start with, your trip will undoubtedly go much smoother for you.
Utilizing the following tips will mean you’ll never have to use that Plan B to save yourself from a worst case scenario. Here are more tips for keeping money safe while traveling abroad.
Utilize your clothing
Get crafty with your clothing and come up with creative ways to stash your cash. Pocket filled travel clothes and accessories are beginning to flood the market, so take advantage of these designs and utilize your clothing to keep your cash and credit cards safe.
Look into pocket filled clothing.
Hidden pockets are the best way to avoid becoming a victim of pickpockets.
Travel with a familiar bag
Traveling with something different from you’re used to can become a distraction in itself. Traveling with a familiar bag means you’re more likely to carry it with confidence and awareness.
“Trying something new on a trip when you’re surrounded by new things to figure out and absorb, makes you less comfortable and more likely to be unwittingly careless.”
Use money alternatives
In crowded public areas like metro stations and bus stops, pre-purchased multi-tickets is a great alternative to using cash or credit-card transactions.
Many cities offers multi-use cards for their public transportation systems (for instance, London’s Oyster card or San Francisco’s Clipper card), and you can usually buy a book of multiple tickets at once (like a “carnet” on the Paris metro, which gets you 10 single-ride tickets for one discounted price).
London Oyster Card. Photo CC by Tom Page
Also, now that you can send money internationally for reasonable prices it’s very affordable to leave an emergency stash of cash at home and have it transferred to you abroad when and if you need it.
Prepare your plastic
Make sure you are fully prepared if traveling with credit or debit cards.
Make sure your credit, debit or prepaid card is accepted in the country you plan to visit, and call your bank and tell them where you are going and when, so they don’t block your card the first time you use it on your travels. Many banks allow you to do this online.
When overseas check the layout of the keypad on the ATM. Loads of travellers lose their cards by entering the right pattern but the wrong numbers on a foreign ATM keypad. Be aware of bank charges – banks charge a fee for every withdrawal, and most offer poor exchange rates for credit and debit cards.
Photo CC by redspotted
If you have the option, pay in the local currency on your debit or credit card when abroad, as your bank’s rates will be better than the retailer’s.
Don’t assume your bag is safe
This comes down to never leaving your bag unattended, and is the leading cause of most travel woes!
Secure your bag by looping a strap around either your arm, leg or chair leg. If you’re sleeping in public, on a train or at an airport, be sure to do the same. Loop an arm through one of your bag straps while you sleep.
Fasten your bag to the seat, luggage rack, or yourself. I will always have at least one part of my body connected to my bag if I’m enjoying a public nap.
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Featured Photo CC 401(K) 2012 and Kevin Harber
