Budget Travel Webpage

Many of us have spent beyond our budget on our holidays and have wondered how we that could have happened. Many of us don’t realise that the small things we purchase such as snacks, bottled water and small meals add up to quite a lot at the end of the trip.

If we were to be mindful of what and where we purchased, we could actually save up quite a considerable sum of money during the trip. Here’s how:

1. Never change money at local exchange counters to avoid being charged high rates and paying for service charges. Get cash from the ATM, but do it as infrequently as possible to avoid multiple international bank fees. Change sufficient currency of your place of travel in your country.

2. The $1.20 bottle of water at the corner store costs double at convenience stores like 7 Eleven, triple at the airport and quadruple at the hotel. Purchase bottled water from a mom-and-pop store instead. Alternatively, bring cool boiled water stored in a plastic bottle when you are on the road.

3. Pack some food in your bag while on the road. Energy bars  and nut mix will keep energy up and calories down. This prevents you from calling room service at 3 a.m. when your body wants dinner and stopping for overpriced lunch.

4. If you book a hotel room, ensure that the hotel offer free buffet breakfast. You can forgo lunch this way and be ready for  a good dinner.

5. Never order room service, use the hotel’s laundry, or call out on the hotel phone.

6. If you use your cell phone beware of roaming charges. My advice is to buy a local phone card instead. You will be charged according to local charges this way. Text messages instead of calling unless it is really urgent.

7. Take public transportation to and from the airport by planning ahead, use all-day public transportation passes and walk around town to soak in the local atmosphere.

8. Use the internet cafe to check mails instead of charged wireless service at the hotel. The average amount charged by internet cafes is $8 an hour. Of course, there are variations in charges in some places in some countries.    

9. Check to see if you can refund your Goods and Services Tax (GST) of the items you have purchased. The GST charges ranges from 7% to 10% depending on countries you visit.

10. Try to avoid eating at restaurants to save up on the 10% service charges. 

Of course, we cannot compromise on safety while being mindful of our budget. For example, it is safer to travel first class instead of economy class in developing countries to avoid chances of being robbed. Be sensible when making decisions and exercise self-restraint to ensure your own safety and keeping to your budget. Happy travelling!

Many travellers come back from their travels with sweet memories of the places they visited. However, not all travellers are fortunate and fall prey to pickpockets, robbers and taxi scams. I have listed a few precautions you can take when planning your travels and while on the road.

Think Before You Go

Your designer clothes, jewelry, map in your hand and that expensive camera hanging around your neck make you stand out among the locals. Minimize the attention that you call to yourself, thus making yourself a less attractive target for pickpockets and robbers. Dress conservatively, wearing only minimal jewellery. Don’t carry an expensive camera on a strap around your neck - you’re only putting yourself and your camera at risk. Keep your camera and take it out from your waist pouch or bag only when you need to.

Carry as little cash as possible, relying instead on travellers’ checks and credit cards. Convert traveller’s cheques on a daily basis, at a bank or accredited exchange, not on the black market, and use credit cards for larger purchases. Travellers’ checks can easily be replaced if lost or stolen, and customer service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Credit cards can be canceled quickly should they be lost or stolen. Buy traveller’s cheques in the currency of the countries you’re visiting, and record the serial numbers. Likewise, make a note of the numbers of the credit cards you’ll be taking with you (along with the phone numbers to report their loss). Do not carry a debit card while travelling as the money is not charged from the card but is debited immediately.

Consider paying for your accommodation in advance. The availability of the internet has made it possible for online bookings to be made. You’ll get a better room rate and are guaranteed of somewhere to stay in the event your money is taken.

When travelling

When you must carry cash, carry only the amount that you need for the day. Don’t flaunt large amounts of cash in public. Don’t change money at the local money changer. Chances are you will be taken advantage of by having to pay a higher rate than the actual. Change sufficient amount at the money agent in your home country as you are more familiar with the way it is run and with the one that offers good rates.

Consider carrying two wallets. One should be a cheap wallet containing a handful of small bills needed for the day and the other in the pocket of your bag if you are heading from one accommodation to another. If not, it is better if the second wallet is placed in your hotel safe.

If you have to travel from one accommodation or state to another, invest in a money belt to wear under your clothes. Access might be a little awkward, but it’s the safest way of carrying your valuables. Also, never carry a backpack or haversack. Designed to be worn on your back, such bags will be an easy target for pickpockets to unzip or cut open. I have sworn not to carry backpacks in crowded areas overseas after being a victim of a professional pickpocket in the city of Sydney. Carrying a wallet in the back pocket of your trousers or jeans should be avoided as this will attract pickpockets.

A piece of valuable advice is to make copies of your passport, driver’s license, credit cards and airlines tickets prior to your departure, and keep the copies in a safe place away from your other valuables. If you get robbed, at least you will have the copies to help establish your identity with local authorities.

When possible, avoid walking anywhere alone. Getting off of the beaten path may be a great way to see how the locals live, but it also increases your chances of running into trouble. Keep clear of dark, empty streets at night. The most sensible thing to do is to avoid going out at night in an unfamiliar place. Stay near groups of people if you can.

If you must take a taxi, never get into an unmarked one. Whenever possible, call for a cab rather than hopping into the nearest vehicle. Always make note of the taxi’s number and driver’s identification, if available.

Using Money Abroad

Trying to mentally convert prices into your own currency is laborious, and the simple act of paying for something, especially with unfamiliar notes and coins, can be frustrating. Invest in a small calculator if you need to use one. Be aware of how much you’re giving and always check your change. Unsuspecting, harassed tourists can easily be taken advantage of by unscrupulous shop clerks. Try to avoid using high denomination notes for small purchases if possible.

In a number of countries the advertised price of an item isn’t necessarily what you’ll pay. For some cultures, especially in Asia, Africa and the Middle East, haggling is part of a transaction. You have to negotiate a price by starting to ask for 50% less of what is being offered.

Should you tip the waiter, butler, taxi driver or porter? The answer lies with whether your restaurant bill comes with a service charge or if the taxi is metered. If not, you are free to tip the waiter or taxi driver if you are happy with the service. In most third world countries, you would be expected to tip the butler or porter at the hotel.

If You Get Robbed

If you are unlucky enough to be a victim, don’t panic. Inform the police, so there’s a crime report on file. Then call your credit card and traveller’s cheque companies. In most instances your money and cards will be replaced within 24 hours, and you won’t be liable for any charges to your card.

Conclusion

Make smart decisions when travelling in order to have a peace of mind. An extra effort in planning to take safety precautions is worth it to avoid unnecessary trouble. Exercise caution, common sense, wise-decision making and some pragmatism the next time you travel.