No matter where you go, the costs of a vacation can add up. Whether you’re someone who’s good at budgeting or someone who’s not, there are always money tips that you should remember when you travel. In part 2 of this blog, our Newark Airport parking company shares some important advice for your next trip:
If you’re traveling abroad and are exchanging your money into a foreign currency, make sure you exchange a little more than you need, just in case. If you don’t end up using it, most companies offer a “buyback” service that will buy back your extra money at the same rate you bought it.
The prices of items at many small shops and street vendors are often flexible, so don’t be afraid to haggle with the sales person to try to get a lower price. The worst they can say is “no” and you’ll be right back where you started.
If you have a debit/credit card, choose “credit” when making purchases. While the debit part of the card is tied to your checking or savings account, the credit part isn’t, which means if your card information is stolen, the thief won’t have access to your bank information. To avoid this in general, use an actual credit card (VISA, MasterCard, American Express, etc.).
If you’re traveling to a foreign country and aren’t familiar with its currency, don’t wait until you have a pile of bills and coins in your hand to try to figure out the meaning of each one. Before you buy anything, take a minute to familiarize yourself with the currency. How many coins make up a bill? How many Indian Rupees are in one U.S. dollar? When you get an idea for the tangible currency and the exchange rate, you’ll feel more comfortable buying things.
Our Newark Airport parking company recommends making a photocopy of your photo ID and your passport and emailing them to yourself. We recommend doing the same for any important credit cards. This way, if you misplace your information or something gets stolen, you’ll have an electronic copy you can access.
Not every place takes credit cards, so it’s a good idea to always have cash available. You never know when you’re going to want to buy something and can’t because all you have is a credit card.