Traveling offers us all the opportunity to unplug from daily routines, and according to an\u00a0annual summer travel survey<\/a>, roughly half the country intends to shell out on airfare and hotel accommodations this season. If you\u2019re making plans, it\u2019s important to protect your finances to ensure a stress-free and enjoyable travel experience. Here are our suggestions.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n No one likes the buzzkill of being in a foreign country, handing over your card for a purchase, and being informed that the transaction was declined. Thankfully, avoiding this scenario is easy. Simply inform your financial institution and credit card providers about your travel plans before your departure. Advance notice will prevent them from flagging your transactions as suspicious activity. While you\u2019re at it, ask about any foreign transaction fees or ATM withdrawal charges so you can plan accordingly and avoid surprise expenses.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Well before you pack your bags and hit the open road (or skies\u2026or seas\u2026), carve out some time to make a realistic budget. Doing some preliminary research on your destination can give you a ballpark estimate of lodging and food, tourist attractions, and transportation costs. Decide on a realistic amount for each category\u2014or at least the maximum amount you\u2019re willing to pay\u2014with the understanding that sometimes the unexpected happens and it can help to have some financial buffer built in.<\/p>\n Travel insurance is likely one of those irksome expenditures you\u2019d rather ignore (since you\u2019re already shelling out in every other category), but don\u2019t overlook it! It\u2019s an investment that provides financial protection in case of unforeseen events such as trip cancellations, medical emergencies, lost baggage, or flight delays. The peace of mind and financial safety net of having travel insurance far outweighs the cost inconvenience. Look for a policy that suits your travel needs and provides adequate coverage based on your destination and desired activities.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div> \u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Most of us have heard horror stories about\u2014or experienced firsthand\u2014the loss or theft of vital travel documents abroad. Before departure, make copies of essential documents like your passport, visa, driver\u2019s license, travel insurance, and credit cards. Store these copies in a secure location, separate from the originals. It\u2019s also a good idea to have digital copies stored in a\u00a0secure cloud service<\/a>. In the unfortunate instance that your documents are lost or stolen, having backup copies will expedite the process of replacement and minimize potential disruptions to your trip.<\/p>\n Travel-friendly financial tools offer a convenient way to manage your money efficiently while you\u2019re away. With prepaid travel cards\u2014sometimes referred to as currency cards\u2014you can preload cash to your card in different currencies, such as euros, locking in the current exchange rate. Prepaid travel cards can be used for everyday spending or ATM withdrawals with low fees or sometimes no fees. Mobile payment apps like PayPal, Venmo, or digital wallets can also be useful for making secure and contactless payments internationally.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n While it\u2019s tempting to connect to public Wi-Fi networks to save on data usage, it\u2019s wise to be wary when it comes to putting sensitive information on these networks. Public Wi-Fi can be susceptible to hackers and data breaches. Avoid logging into financial accounts or conducting sensitive transactions while connected to public Wi-Fi. Instead, use a secure mobile data connection or a Virtual Private Network (VPN) for added security. It\u2019s also a good idea to educate yourself on\u00a0identity theft<\/a>\u00a0as scammer tactics have become increasingly sophisticated in recent years.<\/p>\n Need a second pair of eyes or ears before your trip? We can help. Connect with our friendly and empathetic GreenPath counselors to\u00a0customize your budget<\/a>customize your budget<\/a>\u00a0to accommodate upcoming travel plans. We like to think of it as insurance for your financial peace of mind.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>Notify Your Financial Institution and Credit Card Providers<\/h2>\n
Create a Realistic Budget<\/h2>\n
Purchase Travel Insurance<\/h2>\n
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\n<\/div>Safeguard Important Documents<\/h2>\n
Use Trip-Friendly Financial Tools<\/h2>\n
Be Cautious with Public Wi-Fi and ATMs<\/h2>\n