6 Financially-Savvy Waysto Stay Money-Smart While Travelling

Now that borders all over the globe have reopened, thousands of people are re-embarking on their once dormant travelling goals. After 2 long and arduous years of staying inside and keeping ourselves safe from COVID-19, airports are once again bustling at their full capacity. If you are one of the many people who have decided to plan an upcoming holiday, this is the article you have been looking for. With so many things to plan for your upcoming trip, it can be all too easy to get carried away with travel expenses. Thankfully, here are 6 tips that are guaranteed to help you stay money-smart on your next overseas adventure. Read on to find out more!

Card, Not Cash

The easiest way to track your spending overseas is to use your credit card instead of cash. Using your card can also be the safer option in a foreign land, and can greatly reduce your chances of being mugged and left stranded. When it comes to credit cards, you are not liable for unauthorised charges made if your credit card is stolen. Thank heavens for that! Aside from helping you track your spending and keeping you safe, many credit cards offer cash back, points or rewards that you can enjoy every time you make a purchase (even just a cup of coffee). Looking for the best credit card to tag along on your next journey? Be sure to compare credit cards online to find one that suits your needs best.

Purchase Travel Insurance

Even with the best plans, it can be helpful to prepare for the worst. This is where travel insurance comes into play. By purchasing travel insurance, you will be protecting any money that you’ve invested into your trip. If your trip does have to be cancelled for some reason, travel insurance can help you by compensating for any costs you’ve already incurred. Additionally, travel insurance is always a great idea as it covers a variety of scenarios including theft, baggage loss, accidents, emergencies and medical costs overseas.

Brush Up On Exchange Rates

It is always a wise idea to do some research and to brush up on exchange rates in the country or city you are visiting. Finding out the value of your money against a foreign currency will help you avoid getting scammed or overcharged when you purchase goods during your trip. Being aware of the exchange rate also means that you won’t be taken advantage of by money changers that charge tourists exorbitant fees. An easy way to stay on top of exchange rates is to check online currency converter and daily news. All these helpful tools will allow you to find the best currency conversion rates available!

Avoid Peak Holiday Times

One of the easiest and most effective ways of saving lots of money on your next trip is to avoid travelling during peak holiday times. This includes the school holidays, long weekends and public holidays. Generally, it’s cheaper to travel in the off-season when demand and prices are low. This may not be an option if you are travelling with kids, but if you can hold out for a little while, you’ll be amazed at how much you can save on both airfares and accommodation. Additionally, your best bet for scoring the cheapest airfare is to book in advance. Prices tend to soar closer to the date of travel, so be sure to book your tickets sooner rather than later.

A Home Away From Home

Don’t get us wrong – we love staying in hotels. Hotels are the epitome of luxury when you’re travelling, but the downside is that the bill can quickly add up, especially if you’re travelling in a large group. If you’re trying to stick to a modest budget, we highly recommend services such as Airbnb that will save you money and give you more space and amenities.

Top Tip: Select rentals hosted by Airbnb ‘Superhosts’. Superhosts must host at least 10 trips a year, maintain at least a 90% response rate, receive five-star reviews 80% of the time and must not cancel their reservations.

Avoid Rental Cars

If possible, we always suggest opting for public transport over car rentals. Afterall, there’s no better way to get to know a new city than by walking everywhere. The cost of an overseas car rental can quickly add up even on a short holiday, and driving on unfamiliar streets with different road safety rules can be an overwhelming experience for new travellers. Not to mention, fuel prices are at an all time high at the moment! When you do need a ride, we suggest opting for public transportation.

Top Tip: Frequent-travel cards — the Oyster card in London, the Passe Navigo in Paris, the Octopus in Hong Kong — are more affordable than single fares.

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And there you have it — everything you need to know to enjoy your next travelling adventure without having to break the bank. What are some of your favourite money saving tips when you’re exploring the great wide world? We want to hear them, so be sure to drop a comment and let us know!

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Whether it’s your first, or your third (oh my!) a new bub on the way means big expenses – especially if you don’t have the luxury of hand-me-downs. Though we’re all in a flurry of expectation and organisation, it’s easy to spend up big on the credit card and forget about it later. So, what can be done about it?

Taking out a personal loan is one way to save money on getting everything set up for baby without breaking the bank – especially when the alternatives are so much more expensive.

Why a personal loan?

Why should you use a personal loan instead of what you already have? Because a personal loan will help you save on interest in contrast to “Buy Now, Pay Later” services and credit cards. BNPN services simply charge your credit card in four or more instalments – which also makes it harder to pay off in the 55-day interest free window. (This may depend on your credit card.) Also, you can compare your different personal loan products with a broker and get the best deal possible. Every repayment you make is equal and each month that goes by gets you closer to a zero balance – not the case with credit cards.

Use on baby’s needs

Did you know the average cost of giving birth in a private hospital is $8,500? We all want our baby to have the best chance in life and going private is one of those ways. Coming up with that amount of money isn’t easy in one fell swoop. You could use a personal loan to pay for these bills and rest easy.

Use to renovate or improve the home

Making your home childproof isn’t cheap – and making it accessible for when they grow up is a must too. Renovating your kitchen to provide more space, perhaps making your living area open plan, or upgrading bedrooms to ensure your baby has space to grow. Personal loans can give you the cash you need to achieve what you require.

Use it for new transport needs

Personal loans are also used to fund new cars to transport your growing family. The old two-seater or hatchback won’t be good for baby seats or when they grow out of them, so upgrading to a four-seater or SUV ensures your family has the transport it needs into the long-term.

Use it on household furniture or whitegoods

Babies need cots, bassinets, beds, disinfecting units – and that’s just for starters. Upgrading your household furniture or whitegoods – perhaps your unit-sized dishwasher just isn’t cutting it – will cost a lot. But it’s an investment in your family’s domestic future!

Use it for a much-needed holiday!

Once all is said and done, you may need to use a personal loan for a bit of a getaway! Exploring Australia or overseas can be within your reach by getting the money together with a personal loan, so you can give your family a trip they won’t soon forget.

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