Traveling and seeing the world is thrilling. There are many new experiences and sights to take in, but all that travel can take a toll on your finances if you’re not prepared. While building savings in your personal banking account will help you cover the cost of the trip, there are a few steps you can take to reduce the financial strain and stress of travel. 

Tips for Traveling Without Straining Your Personal Banking Account

1. Notify Your Bank of Travel Plans

Banks monitor your transactions to make sure there’s no fraud on your personal banking account. If you’re traveling away from home and use your card, the bank may flag the activity as unauthorized or fraudulent. If this happens, the cards may get frozen or canceled altogether. Before leaving town, notify the bank and credit card provider of any upcoming travel plans. This way, they’ll know any charges outside of your hometown are authorized and the cards will stay active.

2. Establish a Budget

It’s easy to go overboard with spending, but staying within your budget is the key to enjoying travel without straining the bank account. Before leaving, figure out how much money you can afford to spend. Factor in food, lodging, transportation, and the key attractions you absolutely have to see. Then, set a cap on how much you can spend each day. If you start nearing that amount, look for free activities to keep spending low. If you need advice on where to eat for less, don’t be afraid to ask a local. They can often recommend spots that keep you away from tourist prices.

3. Use One Card While Traveling

The more cards you bring on vacation, the more tempting it becomes to blow through the budget. Furthermore, it makes keeping track of spending more of a challenge as you’ll have to juggle multiple accounts. Instead, simplify the process and only use one card for the trip. This will make monitoring spending easier and identifying fraudulent activity simpler. Keep in mind that the price listed on items abroad may not include currency exchange rates or out-of-country service charges on your account. If these charges appear on your statement, don’t panic. Ask your bank for clarification and report anything that can’t be identified as fraudulent activity.

Looking for help getting finances in order for your upcoming vacation? Contact the personal banking experts at Citizens Bank in Byhalia, MS. Their dedicated staff will help you with everything from notifying card providers of impending travel plans to setting up a savings account specifically for your dream vacation. Learn more about their services online and call (662) 838-2146 to schedule a free consultation with a banker today. Member FDIC.