Here are three tips on how to manage your money when traveling overseas, while still having an unforgettable journey.

Set a daily budget while planning your itinerary.

When traveling abroad it’s important to make the most out of your trip, especially if you are not there for much time. Everyone knows the value of having a game plan for things you want to do and see, but alongside that, it’s a good idea to set a daily budget. Consider how much you will spend on each meal, activity and attraction. If you do your research, you can find out ahead of time how much certain sites will cost you. This way, you’ll see what you can afford to do in advance.

Shop wisely for food and gifts.

Make a list before traveling of the items you want to purchase when on your trip. If you want to buy gifts for others, set an amount you are willing to spend on each person. Additionally, if you plan to buy drinks or snacks to keep with you or in your room, avoid purchasing them at busier sites such as train stations or near tourist attractions. Look for local markets or shopping marts, so you can buy things at a lower price and shop at stores where locals typically get their essentials.

Explore different means of transportation.

Sure, it may be quicker to hail a cab and be on your way, but first consider the cost. If you are in a city, check out their different forms of public transportation and compare the cost of each. Additionally, when going from city to city, you may find that if you take trains that make frequent stops, rather than a direct trip, it brings the cost down significantly. Therefore, although the cheaper way to travel may not always be the fastest, if you plan for the extra time, you’ll have more money in your pocket, and every little bit helps, especially when traveling abroad.

Planning to travel outside of the United States? First Financial offers Foreign Currency Exchange! Foreign currency exchange allows you to exchange our currency for another country’s currency when planning to travel abroad.* Give us a call at 732.312.1500, email info@firstffcu.com , or stop into any branch to learn more about foreign currency exchange today.

*You may purchase Currency Price Protection (CPP) for an additional $10.00 in order to protect the purchase rate of transaction. The protected dollar amount may vary based on selection of currency. There is also a purchase/shipping cost for $14.50 per transaction.

Article Source: Wendy Bignon for CUInsight.com