Whether you have been planning a luxury beach break, or a bit of country-hopping to broaden your horizons, it feels like you’ve been saving and planning your holiday for an age. Now your departure date is drawing steadily nearer, and it’s time to start your preparations. You may have checked that your passport is still in that drawer for the seventeenth time, and even created a checklist of all the clothes you’re going to take. But have you thought about how you’re going to stay financially secure while you travel? Below are a few things you should consider before you head to the airport to ensure that you don’t have to worry about money at any point on your trip.Protect your cash
If there’s one thing thieves know, it’s that holidaymakers carry cash and lots of it. Even if you don’t end up as a criminal’s target, you could still be unfortunate enough to misplace your wallet or have a bag mix up. A few simple steps can help to keep your spending money safe. Don’t carry all your cash in one place. It can be easy to misplace a wallet or to have it taken from your pocket in a busy crowd. If your accommodation has a secure safe, keep most of your money there and only take a small amount out with you for a daily budget. You should also never keep your wallet in your back pocket. If you have a pocket with a button or zip fastening, keep it there. Although a bag is secure, it can be easy to snatch, so keep valuables about your person rather than stuffing your phone, camera, and spending money into one location. A discreet money belt is a great way of keeping your cash safe from potential thieves (or absent-mindedly leaving it lying around), just be sure not to advertise that you are wearing one. You’d be amazed at how easily a skilled pickpocket could take the belt from around your waist.
Keep a credit card for emergencies
Should the worst happen and you do have your money stolen, or have any urgent expenses that you hadn’t budgeted for, it can pay to have a credit card handy to keep you out of trouble. It could be that your flight is cancelled and you need to stay in a hotel at the airport. You will be reimbursed, of course, but you still need to be able to actually pay for the room. If you don’t already have one, it may be worth researching the best rewards credit card to ensure you are getting the most beneficial deal. Some offer air miles, while others boast a low interest rate and discounts in certain stores. Either way, you need a credit card that is going to suit you and not charge you an arm and a leg for interest on top of monthly payments. Remember, to let your credit card provider know that you are travelling abroad, otherwise using your card could result in it being blocked.
Hopefully, this has given you some information and tips on how best you can protect your money whilst travelling and avoid any unfortunate mishaps.
