So, you want to get the best deal on your travel money and ensure your money is safe and working hard for you whilst abroad?  Holidays are expensive enough as it is so it makes sense to take some precautions and do a little planning when it comes to exchanging, carrying and spending your cash abroad.

1. Take A Combination Of Cash And Cards

When travelling to foreign climes, it’s a good idea to take a mixture of foreign currency and debit and credit cards so that you are prepared for all possibilities. For example, some vendors abroad may not accept cards or you might not have enough cash to cover that big shopping purchase.

Take care with your cards and inform your bank that you are travelling in case they put a stop on your card whilst abroad. Take photocopies of your cards and keep your provider’s emergency number safe in case you lose your card or have your personal belongings stolen.

2.  Remember The Exchange Rate!

Many people don’t take a second glance at the exchange rate when changing their money and certainly many don’t think of comparing exchange rates before they travel.  But in doing so, you could save yourself a significant amount of money especially if you plan to change up large sums.  Most foreign exchange companies today offer 0% commission deals so ignore this – it’s really not that important.  What is important is the actual exchange rate you are being offered.

If you are thinking of exchanging money at your bank you might want to think again. Their exchange rate might be up to 5% different to that of a foreign exchange broker who has access to live market rates.

3.  Put Your Kids On A Leash! 

When you’re travelling with kids, holiday expenses can really spiral out of control! Those snacks, souvenirs, inflatables for the pool and fairground rides can eat into your budget really quickly.  To keep a tight rein on your holiday budget, why not consider giving your children a set allowance each day? This will not only help you to keep your money in check but will also teach your children that money doesn’t grow on trees and that they need to budget too.

4.  Pick A Card, But Not Just Any Card

On holiday it’s easy to forget about a budget and to be tempted by sheer overseas indulgence. And if you take a big arsenal of credit cards with you, you could end up spending more than you bargained for.  There is no problem with spreading your spend when abroad as long as you can pay off the balance when you get back home.  It’s also essential to check out the fees payable for international cash withdrawals or payments on your credit card.  If you really want to take a credit card with you for those little luxuries, shop around for a 0% credit card and limit yourself to a budget that you can afford to pay back quickly when you get back. It won’t be a good feeling paying off a credit card bill for a holiday you had years ago!

5.  Be A Savvy Duty Free Shopper

If you can’t ignore the lure of the duty free perfume, booze or tobacco, just be mindful that duty free stores are using a new trick to make more profits – giving you the option to pay for goods with your local currency.  This might seem convenient for you but there’s a hefty conversion fee to consider – this could be as high as 3%.  You’d be far better to pay for goods in any leftover currency you have or to use your debit card.

About the author: Born and raised in San Francisco, Aviva Tabachnik is the Head of Partnerships at MyTravelMoney, an OPP award winning travel comparison website. Aviva is a keen travel adventurist & semi professional dancer.

Today I can say that one of my biggest dreams has come true. I went to Australia with the popular Working Holiday Visa and I enjoyed a sabbatical to explore this beautiful country. If it wasn’t for the WHV I was recommended by a friend to try hotels at crownperth.com.au. Alas I didn’t need to. My experience sums up everything that WHV helps with: study, work and travel. The first three months I worked in a restaurant and did an English course in order to obtain certificates CAE and CPE. The next six months were of adventures and tours: a perfect blend for exploring this colorful and wonderful land inhabited by the world’s most diverse wildlife. Australia is certainly a place full of surprises. My adventure began in September 2012. After a long journey of 26 hours, I was ready to step on the land of my dreams, Australia!

First I stayed in Perth, the capital of Western Australia and the country’s largest state which is the most isolated city in the world. I have always been drawn by faraway countries. That’s why I chose Australia and particularly Perth. It was a decision I made after much thought that was based on my desire to improve English. I think to have entered the Working Holiday Visa was a fabulous idea because I had the opportunity to study, work and travel Australia. Now students can live, study and work in this country for a year and be able to discover this magical land.

Four days a week after school, I worked in a restaurant as a kitchen helper and waitress. Although not easy, it was a great experience I could get through the WHV. During the period of study and work, I stayed at the home of an Australian family. I think this type of accommodation is ideal because it allows one to really learn the culture.

My stay in Perth was marked not only by this interesting study experience, but also for all that the city has to offer. Perth is a city with vibrant lifestyle and a Mediterranean climate, with magnificent beaches and natural areas. It also has many museums including the famous Western Australia Museum, a wide variety of nightclubs and casino that make it a city very rich in terms of culture and entertainment. As a matter of fact I was once invited to one of the conference venues at Crown Perth.

The people of the region are characterized by being relaxed and calm. The “Aussies” are very sociable with a colorful mood, sometimes a little ironic. It’s worth talking to them and taking a Gold frost, best known beer there.

In Perth, there are many places to visit and many things to do, such as Scaborough Beach surf, have a drink and watch the sunset at Cottesloe Beach, practice sandboarding in Lancelin, visit the Pinnacle Desert and Rottnest Island and more. Not to mention the South Western Australia with its Margaret River region of perfect waves and good wine and the North Western Australia famous for the territory of Kimberly, the most remote and isolated destination from the world.

Having spent three months of study, work and travel, I packed my backpack and set off to conquer Alice Spring, region generally known as the Red Centre in the heart of Australia, the next step of my trip.

We all enjoy the chance to get away for a while with friends or family, whether it be a short city break or a fortnight on the beach. When all we need is a little rest and relaxation, the last thing we need during our precious time away is to worry about money, but for many of us this is the case.

Here, we consider several simple things you can do to make sure that your holiday isn’t ruined by financial worries.

Consider the exchange rate

Exchange rates fluctuate on a regular basis, changing the amount that it costs you to holiday in respective destinations. Keeping a close eye on the exchange rates at the time of planning your trip can therefore save you a considerable amount of money when the time comes to travel.

Rather than cutting down on the things you buy and the activities you take part in, securing a good exchange rate can ensure that you’re getting the most from your money, allowing you to spend it as you wish while you’re travelling.

Buy currency before you leave

The way in which you acquire your cash for your trip will have a bearing on the amount that you spend. If you run into poor exchange rates or high levels of commission when exchanging your currency, you can easily end up spending more than you need to while you’re away.

The important thing to know is that exchanges at the airport will usually offer some of the worst rates, or they will charge you a hefty commission for your currency. The best option is to allow plenty of time before you leave to compare the rates of exchange and commission at your local outlets.

Acquiring your currency in advance will give you plenty of options and will help to ensure that you find the best possible rate.

Know your options

When you arrive at your holiday destination, you’ll probably need to top up your cash, or to use a card for your spending. Taking an American Express Credit Card, for example, can make life easier, allowing you to manage your finances online or even on your mobile.

This will ensure that you are able to keep an eye on your finances throughout your trip, helping you stay within your spending budget from beginning to end.

A static caravan is an investment, one which you have most probably spent your hard-earned cash on. Like any other asset it needs to be looked after so that it will look good, function well and last for a long time. Just like a conventional house, a certain amount of regular maintenance is required to keep a static caravan in trim. The good news is that this regular maintenance doesn’t have to be backbreaking, seemingly endless work that takes over your entire spare time. Far from it, in fact! It is fairly easy to maintain your caravan by taking a few simple steps.

Here are some factors to consider that will ensure your mobile home is properly maintained.

Anchoring

It is vital that a static caravan is securely anchored. Mobile homes are robustly manufactured structures, and far from lightweight, but many are occasionally overturned in stormy conditions. This usually happens in the autumn or winter months. The root cause of most such accidents is that they have been insecurely anchored. A mobile home suffers a lot of expensive damage if it is flipped over by the wind; regularly checking its anchorage will help ensure that this doesn’t happen to you.

Rust

An area of particular concern in a mobile home is its metal work. This is because the chassis and other metal fixtures and fittings could be susceptible to rust. You need to check for rust in a regular basis and, if you do find it, treat it appropriately and properly. If metal is left untreated, it can rust and as a result may quickly not even be in a fit state to use or to move. This can obviously cause problems when and if, you wish to reposition or relocate it. Rust is metal’s enemy and must be properly treated whenever it is encountered.

Guttering

Blocked gutters are the primary cause of damp in a static caravan. You need to clear the gutters out regularly and remove leaves and other debris from down-pipes and gutters, to ensure they are carrying rainwater away. It is an easy task to perform, and one just as easily forgotten about until it is too late. A planned cycle for clearing your static caravan’s gutters out will help you keep on top of it.

Internal cleans

As with any other home, a static caravan needs to be thoroughly cleaned on a regular basis. This will help ensure the structure’s longevity and also boost your quality of life. You will quickly learn that clutter and static caravans do not mix well; clutter can also lead you to believe that your mobile home is too small.

Energy

Finally, it is important to ensure that gas boilers and electrics are checked out and serviced annually. That will give you peace of mind and help ensure that they are working at the optimum level, which will also save you money.

Author Bio: This guest post was written on behalf of Static Caravans where you can find an excellent range of static caravans and mobile homes.