It doesn’t matter how exotic and imaginative your travel dreams are if you don’t have the boodle to pay for it.
So first off, you have to save enough to get there and get around, or save enough to get there and work your way around. You’re also going to need ways of keeping your cash safe.
- Keep track of the exchange rates before you go. If the currency you’re after hits a dip, take your chances and buy as much as you can.
- Traveller’s cheques are a good, old-fashioned standby and, provided you make a note of their serial numbers (make a paper copy, which should be kept separately and keep a note of them online), you can cancel them and order new ones in the event of loss or theft. They’re really only good for First World destinations, however. Once you hit more rural tracks, it can be a painful and laborious process finding a bank willing to change them.
- Credit cards are good for drawing out cash at ATMs and for booking tickets online. They come in particularly handy in case of emergencies. If you’re good about paying off more than the minimum balance before due date, it could work out cheaper than hassling with exchange rates. • Some bureaux de change offer prepaid cards, which are backed by Visa or Master Card, and can be used to draw cash in the same way as a debit card. It’s also a good way to control your finances as you are only able to draw as much money as you have. You can also spread your risk by putting amounts into different cards and packing these in different places.
- It’s easy to get caught out when dealing with foreign currency, so always have an idea beforehand of how much you are paying. If the exchange rate is easy, work it out in your head or carry a small calculator.
- Never carry all your cash on you. Leave some (with your cards and passport) in a secure safe in your hostel or hotel. Carry a small amount in a slim wallet or a secure pocket and stash the rest in a money belt. We’re not talking fanny pack here; the kind of money belt you need is one that is slim and diffi cult to detect under your clothing.
Health tips
I recently met an elderly woman who told me: “˜You write out accounts in your youth that you’re going to have to pay for in your old age.’ It’s particularly true when it comes to health. Make sure you take out comprehensive medical insurance. It’s a grudge purchase but one you can’t do without.
Speak to your doctor or travel clinic about your intended destinations and make sure you’ve had the necessary vaccinations. Take malaria prophylactics where applicable. Some countries require proof of certain vaccinations, such as yellow fever, before they will grant entry.
Try:
- International Association for Medical Assistance to Travellers (IAMAT) www.iamat.org.
- Travel Doctor www.traveldoctor.co.za.
For budget planners, what gap years cost and interviews with guys and girls who went soul-searching, head to:
- Guide to taking a gap year
- Great gaps: what are my options
- Where in the world to go
- Gap year stories
