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Post by euroman2006 on Apr 24, 2006 9:19:44 GMT -5
Quick question for you guys. If you are using Cash (in whatever currency.. we'll be using Pounds and Euros for our countries we are visiting) and attempting to keep under a general budget of $100 or so (I have some reserve in case) a day, how do you keep track of this?
Would it be best to visit an ATM every 3 days and withdraw $300 worth of currency?
Also, regardless of time allowance, will I just have to make an estimate on how much currency I want to withdraw, or will I be able to say $100 and it gives me said amount in the requisite currency on the ATMs?
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Post by me on Apr 24, 2006 12:28:59 GMT -5
so far, ATMs aren't that sophisticated. the only difference between ATMs in Europe vs US is that they will often let you work in English, even if English isn't the lingua franca where the ATM is located. [well, in Dallas, the ATMs will also work in Spanish. but Spanish is a lingua franca for Dallas]
you will need to know how much you wish to take out in the local cash, not the dollar amount. you'll need to have a rough idea how many euros, pounds, franks, whatever is equal to $100. although, i find it easier to figure what i'll need in the local currency. [in Hungary, as soon as i got to Budapest, i tried to take out enough Forint cash to last a few days ~ US$325. i got way too much cash! luckily, i was able to trade some for Euros with a German i shared a room with in Szeged. he was staying longer in Hungary.]
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Post by Jules80 on Apr 24, 2006 13:21:25 GMT -5
my friend wrote every thing down. i just kept a runnign tally in my head. some days are cheaper and others more expensive.
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Post by smokinjayz on May 1, 2006 8:56:22 GMT -5
I've only been gone a couple weeks (In UK), but I've found a fairly way to keep tabs without constantly checking.
If you use online banking, just transfer the amount you want for that month/week/whatever into your chequing account, and then you can only use up that amount. You somewhat have to keep tabs in your head, but as long as you're thinking budget anyways, it's not too hard. Like they say, some days are expensive, others not. And then, when you come to the next section or whatever, just toss another grouping of money into your chequing, easy!
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Post by euroman2006 on May 2, 2006 19:45:56 GMT -5
So you guys, for instance, would go to the ATM everyday to withdraw $100 (equivalent) in cash? Or every 3 days or so? I wouldn't mind just withdrawing a total amount because the rooms all will be paid for up front and I will just be spending down from there. But I'm worried about carrying too much cash on my person at any one time.
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Post by Jules80 on May 2, 2006 21:57:24 GMT -5
i took out a few hundred pounds or euros every few days. i wasn't worried about it in my money belt. that way you don't may the 5$ fees everyday.
Jules
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Post by me on May 2, 2006 22:43:12 GMT -5
if you've pre-paid your accomodations, it, mostly, shouldn't take so much cash, other than Ireland, UK & Switzerland, maybe. [Ireland is a €-state, but an expensive one] in UK you'll need £'s and in Switzerland you'll need Franken, CHF. So you guys, for instance, would go to the ATM everyday to withdraw $100 (equivalent) in cash? Or every 3 days or so?
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Post by WillTravel on May 2, 2006 23:30:41 GMT -5
You can also use credit cards in many places, even grocery stores, so that helps with having to carry around cash.
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Post by euroman2006 on May 4, 2006 0:39:53 GMT -5
Thanks again guys.
We put down the down payments for the hostels (ie hostels.com) but that is all, we will be figuring it out whence we get there.
I don't really want to use the credit card because that doesn't go to my account and I would rather take straight from the account. Then I might just use the ATM card at stores and such which would withdraw from the account.
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Post by Jules80 on May 4, 2006 8:36:47 GMT -5
i didn't think you could use a NA atm card in stores in europe? i thought it was a different system?
the other option is to transfer money to your credit card before leaving.
jules
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Post by me on May 4, 2006 10:01:07 GMT -5
But, the credit card give so much more fraud protection! I don't really want to use the credit card because that doesn't go to my account and I would rather take straight from the account. Then I might just use the ATM card at stores and such which would withdraw from the account.
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Post by euroman2006 on May 4, 2006 11:18:17 GMT -5
Well, the money from the credit card is not actually MY money. I don't have a credit card. I have an endentured card from my parents to pay for bills and stuff each month.
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Post by WillTravel on May 4, 2006 12:09:12 GMT -5
In your case, then, I think I'd just go with the cash withdrawal every couple days and being careful with your money. If you did get the ATM card to work as a debit card at stores in Europe, would there be a fee for using it each time?
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Post by euroman2006 on May 4, 2006 20:08:55 GMT -5
You mean from the bank? I don't know I wouldn't think so as it isn't here. But that may different overseas, especially with different exchange rates. I'll have to ask about that (of course my friend buying online is different than in real life at stores, as well..)
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Post by Jules80 on May 4, 2006 20:16:16 GMT -5
i'd definately look into that. if they're gonna charge you 3-5$ to take cash out i would assume they'll charge you in a store, that is if you can even use it that way. their atm cards seem to be quite different. they can purchase online with their atm card (they use chips whereas we're not there yet) which we can't (well we cna't in canada as far as i can tell).
Jules
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