How To Keep Costs Down While Abroad

Bonjour lecteurs! Are you planning to spend Christmas abroad this year? Or are you booking a trip overseas next month to fight the January blues? We are off to France and I am so excited as it is the first time we will spend Noël there in 4 years. But with the rising cost of living, we will reduce our expenses like many other Brits. Here are my top Frenchie idées To Keep Costs Down Abroad. Here is what I do with our travel money outside the UK.

Book Early

Book your tickets as soon as possible.

Last-minute offers are rarely cheaper, and you will find that the more organised you are, the better deals you will get.

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It’s also worth using comparison apps and websites for the best deals.

Do the same with your accommodation. You can get great deals if you book months ahead.

Work Out A Spending Budget

… And stick to it!

Easier said than done? I know the feeling! We always end up spending more, so I always prepare an extra 10% in cash just in case.

They are always some extra costs. Par exemple, the last time we went to France, we ended up paying more than expected on the toll roads.

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And we had a few impromptu expenses, especially buying some yummy food like brioches 🤣

Buy Your Travel Money Before You Travel

Don’t wait to be at the airport to get some local money. The rates are always so high.

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It can be much more expensive than getting it in advance. And if you buy at a time when the exchange rate is favourable, you get more spare money to spend!

Know Well Charges

It’s also worth checking en détails with your bank what kind of charges you would expect, depending on your destination.

A recent survey by HSBC found out that more than half of travelers don’t know how much their debit card provider charges for purchases or cash withdrawals!

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It’s only a few clicks away or a quick phone call.

Pay Cash in The Local Currency

I know nowadays,  we are getting more and more into a cash-free society.

But je préfère having some holiday cash. There is always some extra cost you might not have thought of.

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And this way, I find it easier to stick to my budget.

It’s also worth paying in the local currency rather than in GBP. This way, you’ll get the most up-to-date exchange rates and avoid conversion fees.

Withdrawals Abroad

I only withdraw money abroad if I really need it.

There is always some extra cost. And the branch you are withdrawing money from might charge an additional fee on top of the conversion rate. Not cool!

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And this way, you also avoid bringing leftover cash home with you.

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Finally…

Don’t forget to let your bank updated with your plans. So that if anything happens to your card, you are covered.

We also have holiday insurance so that we are covered just in case of a bad surprise.

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Usually, I try to just pay all my expenses with cash, but if I need some extra, I always have my debit card as a last resort.

 

What do you think? Do you prefer using your debit card or travel money when you are outside the UK?

What are your traveling plans for next year? Have you already booked something? Cash or card?

I can’t wait for a Frenchie Christmas with my famille!

 

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post in collaboration with HSBC.

 

 

 

 

 

31 Comments

  1. Margaret Gallagher
    December 16, 2022 / 3:50 am

    Excellent – charges can be avoided
    Keeping within budget with a little know how

  2. Siobhan N
    December 16, 2022 / 6:28 am

    After reading your article I realised that I am unaware of how much my debit card provider charges for purchases or cash withdrawals! I will check it out next time before we go!

  3. Wendy Lam-Vechi
    December 16, 2022 / 9:09 am

    Sometimes a little research can help you save a lot. We always try and book early and use comparison websites to find the cheapest hotels and flights. We also use Chase to avoid withdrawal fees and spending fees abroad but it’s always wise to have their currency in cash. Also highly recommend cash back websites for when you book your holiday to get some money back

    • Cecile Blaireau
      Author
      December 16, 2022 / 10:01 am

      I never used cash back websites, what a good idea! thanks for the tip!

      • Wendy Lam-Vechi
        December 17, 2022 / 10:42 am

        You can get a lot of cashback especially when you’re spending over a thousand pounds.

  4. MARIA ROGERS
    December 16, 2022 / 9:41 am

    In the old days we used travellers cheques, not sure they even exist anymore? I always use cash abroad to save credit card charges

  5. Peter Ogg
    December 16, 2022 / 10:16 am

    Hopefully get a holiday abroad in 2023

  6. coldi
    December 16, 2022 / 10:29 am

    This is really helpful. We are finally going away – to France! – next year. Our first trip abroad with our children, so we are definitely going to need more money than when we’ve travelled alone!

  7. ashleigh
    December 16, 2022 / 10:32 am

    Lots of great tips!

  8. Laura F
    December 16, 2022 / 3:07 pm

    Very helpful for those who go abroad. I never do, but for those who do this would be helpful I’m sure ♥

  9. Priscilla Stubbs
    December 16, 2022 / 4:25 pm

    An interesting blog and very useful. I’m not going abroad until later next year, but great tips to bear in mind

  10. V Poulston
    December 16, 2022 / 7:05 pm

    So many helpful tips. Thank you.

  11. Katie J
    December 16, 2022 / 7:16 pm

    This is great, can’t wait to go holiday abroad!

  12. A.E. ADKINS
    December 17, 2022 / 3:24 pm

    We tend to use cash but know which cards to use if nec.
    Also helps to take snacks for the journey & if self catering, pasta & a concentrated sauce are always packed just in case of late arrival!

    • Cecile Blaireau
      Author
      December 18, 2022 / 10:19 am

      That’s an excellent idea!

  13. claire davey
    December 18, 2022 / 6:59 am

    i think you have some really amazing and valuable tips in here it is amazing

  14. Katy
    January 2, 2023 / 12:09 pm

    using these for when I hopefully book New York!❤️

  15. Laura Corrall
    January 2, 2023 / 3:18 pm

    These are great tips. Especially as more places are becoming cashless it’s worth checking about the debit or credit card charges.

  16. Rebecca Mercer
    January 2, 2023 / 3:57 pm

    Great tips

  17. Leanne Baker
    January 2, 2023 / 5:43 pm

    There some great tips there

  18. MANDY DOHERTY
    January 2, 2023 / 8:05 pm

    Great post, really useful for those going abroad and wanting to keep costs down

  19. lynn neal
    January 2, 2023 / 8:39 pm

    Great tips to help us save some money when travelling!

  20. Vickie Jackson
    January 3, 2023 / 2:02 pm

    When I FINALLY get to go abroad again, there are some fantastic tips here to keep in mind

  21. Debbie Clarke
    January 3, 2023 / 8:40 pm

    Some great inspiration as always

  22. Susan Bennett
    January 4, 2023 / 8:46 pm

    Great advice to use cash that way you can budget better. Also some cards don’t charge you to use them abroad check before you travel

  23. Tracy Gladman
    January 5, 2023 / 9:37 am

    I have a Santander Zero card which I specifically use for holidays as it doesn’t cost me any fees.

  24. Tracey Hallmark
    January 6, 2023 / 11:37 am

    Some great tips thanks I like to use a pre loaded currency card when going abroad and also take a little local currency too, we are planning on a city break to Krakow this Spring and then lots of breaks and camping in the UK as we rehomed a dog in 2022 so lots more walking holidays for us rather than abroad

  25. Gemma Hendry
    January 6, 2023 / 11:51 am

    Great tips as you can really lose track of spending when abroad

  26. Rich Tyler
    January 6, 2023 / 12:21 pm

    Great honest tips

  27. StefanoIceCubeR
    January 6, 2023 / 8:47 pm

    As always… Inspirational

  28. Sandra Foreman
    January 6, 2023 / 9:07 pm

    Thank you for all this information it will really help when finally get on my next holiday

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