Saving foreign exchange when you travel abroad

Traveling abroad can be quite an exciting affair, especially for the first-time international travelers. Before you travel, there are many things that you will need to take care of, so that you are comfortable in the new country and can enjoy yourself to the fullest. While there are some travelers who go abroad for a trip or for a vacation, there are others who may travel abroad for settlement, business, work or academics. Whatever be the case, one of the foremost things that you will have to figure out, apart from your documents, is foreign exchange.

So what is foreign exchange? This is the value that you get for your local or national currency in the new country’s currency. When you convert your money into the currency of the new country, the equivalent cash that you get is called foreign exchange or the forex rate that you get. This varies greatly from country to country and often, the dollar will fetch you the best rate in most countries where you travel around the world. This is especially true for Asia, Africa, and other such continents.

Now comes the big question for travelers: How can one make the most of the foreign exchange and actually save while traveling abroad? While it may be easy for us to think that traveling abroad with the dollar equivalent puts us in a position to splurge, there are many ways in which you can actually save and have a great time. Here are a few tips to do just that with your foreign exchange!

Exchange in all the right places: You need to know where you can exchange your dollars for local currency so that you get the best rate. To begin with, speak with the local tour operator or travel agent to avail a good foreign exchange rate. Try not to exchange your cash at an airport because this is where you will get a very low rate and such an option should be used only in case you are stuck in an emergency situation.

Plan ahead: Before you travel, you usually get your passport, visa and other such documents in place. You will have to render the same kind of attention to your foreign exchange as well. Speak with your bank and find out the kind of foreign exchange rates that they have on offer. Also, find out the kind of options that you have apart from the bank so that you get the best rates possible.

Do it like a local: While most countries will give you good spending power when you convert from dollar, you can still save by doing it like a local. Eating at a local place instead of tourist-ridden restaurants, taking local transport instead of booking a cab every single time, and other such measures will ensure that you save quite a penny in foreign exchange!

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

  • Organic And Natural Moisturizers For Dry Skin

    To combat dry skin condition, one must use the best hydrating and moisturizing cream. It is better if they use organic or herbal skin care products. Here is a list of moisturizers for dry skin that are both skin friendly and environmentally friendly:

    L’Occitane Pure Shea Butter
    This is one of the top rated moisturizers that offer hydration to dry skin. It can be used on the entire body to soften sensitive, dry and dehydrated skin. It can heal even the driest of skin due to the presence of antioxidant vitamin E in it. The best thing about this product is that it is made with cooperatives of women in a fair trade partnership in Burkina Faso. You can use this product on your lips, elbows, feet, cuticles and even hair. Just take this balm and melt it in your palm before applying and enjoy soft, hydrated and youthful skin.
    Price: Approximately $42

    Juice Beauty Antioxidant Moisturizer
    This moisturizer for dry skin helps to hydrate your skin alongside fighting damage caused due to environmental toxins and free radicals. It contains vegetable hyaluronic acid, which reduces the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. Your skin becomes soft and silky smooth in due course. For enjoying long-lasting moisture, apply this cream on top of the antioxidant facial serum.
    Price: Approximately $29

    SKIN & CO Roma Umbrian Truffle Cream
    This moisturizer for dry skin could be the beauty secret behind the smooth and luminous skin of the Italian women. It is a creamy moisturizer made with time-tested botanicals and science. The active ingredients in this product include hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, and hibiscus extract. All these combine to give intense hydration while tightening, toning, brightening your skin and complexion. Vitamins A, E, and F present in this cream penetrate to the cellular level of the skin to rebuild collagen and elastin fibers for a firmer skin. Use this magic potion twice daily to forget worrying about a dull and lackluster skin complexion.
    Price: Approximately $42

    Era Organics Complete Facial Moisturizer
    Feed your skin with superfoods like essential minerals, vitamins, and amino acids. This product is made using organic, powerful, food-grade nutrients that offer amazing moisturization and soothing effects to the skin. This cream repairs and rejuvenates old skin cells and softens tough skin. Since it improves circulation, it eases dry, itchy, irritated skin along with minimizing redness and inflammation. To boost healing and stimulate new cell growth along with strengthening the skin are some of the additional things that this cream does. It also protects the skin from damage caused due to free radicals alongside plumping skin cells to reduce wrinkles, giving your face a more supple and toned look. If you have skin conditions like psoriasis, eczema, rosacea, and dermatitis, this cream will work wonder.
    Price: Approximately $20.37

    Radha Beauty Retinol Moisturizer Cream
    Active retinol present in this cream helps to reduce the signs and aging, making your skin smooth, soft and glowing. This cream rehydrates and moisturizes dry skin with ingredients like jojoba oil, green tea, aloe vera, and shea butter. The best thing about this product is that it does not contain any harmful chemicals, fragrances, fillers, parabens or dyes. Users would see reduction and disappearance in their fine lines, acne, and blemish marks with regular use.
    Price: Approximately $19.95 (after discount)

    CeraVe Moisturizing Cream
    This moisturizer for dry skin is specially formulated to increase the ability of the skin to attract, hold and distribute moisture. It penetrates deep into the stratum corneum layer and assists to restore the lipids balance essential for an effective skin barrier. It also creates a protective layer over the surface of the skin to prevent moisture loss all day long. This makes this cream perfect for people with dry skin or those who live in places with the dry climatic condition. Even people with acne issues can use this cream since it is non-irritating and non-comedogenic.
    Price: Approximately $14.72 (after discount)

    You need not worry about dry skin anymore since you know about all the products that could tackle such skin conditions. Just visit an online or regular store and get yourself a suitable moisturizing cream.

  • Bathroom walk-in shower ideas to amp up your space
    If you were to combine elegance and function, then walk-in showers are really the best thing one could possibly come up with. With the number of bathroom walk-in shower ideas you can scour for, now’s as good a time as any to see if you can add a walk in shower. Of course, this beside the fact that you already have a walk-in bathtub. The walk-in element of the shower itself adds a chic look and ups the functionality. Of course, walk-in showers mean a lot of things, and you can’t simply say you want walk showers and call it a day. You can get creative, but to get you started, here are a few different ways you can add walk-in showers. A glass-enclosed walk in Are you looking for a spa feeling in the comfort of your personal bathroom? This is when you turn to the humble glass shower. It gives you the feeling of a spa and a beachside hotel, all in one. In the world of walk-in showers, the glass-enclosed option is a classic. The glass can be placed such that it reflects the lights coming in, making your bathroom appear brighter and larger. This kind of a walk in shower also maximizes space as compared to the other bathroom walk-in shower ideas we’ve covered below. Of course, you can take this design and add a personal element- such as a seating area and practical shelves that you can store your toiletries in. Shower and sauna When one wants a sauna in their bathroom, they would generally turn to walk-in bathtubs. They’re generally filled with warm water and essential oils are added. However, this kind of a walk in shower design allows you to put up a sauna as well. It takes the idea of a steam shower, to whole new levels. You simply add a steam generator and it elevates the whole shower experience, better than any walk tub shower you can have! Smaller round shower If you have a smaller bathroom, then it can be more difficult to fit in a walk-in bathtub. You might also not find it practical to fit a regular glass door shower; this is where you put in a smaller standing walk-in shower and make it round. This makes your bathroom functional, and also adds an element of luxury. These are some of the bathroom walk-in shower ideas you can take inspiration from. Don’t forget to add a personal touch to your bathroom, and make it comfortable and aesthetic for yourself.
  • 4 top bathtub designs for your bathroom
    Enjoying a soothing, bubbly bath is an absolute bliss we all crave for. There are several brands that offer designer bathtubs that promise the latest features for an invigorating bath time. But do you know the designs you can choose from? It's a good idea to stay updated with the designs, before you plan to buy a new one for your bath or if you want to replace an old one. Here's a list of top 4 designs that are doing the rounds these days. Alcove Bathtub Easy installation and inexpensive price tags, these are a few benefits of an alcove-style bathtub. A typical alcove bathtub comes in a 60-inch size. Unconventional alcoves can range anywhere between 53 and 72 inches. Such bathing tubs can fit easily in a three-walled enclosure and are best for space utilization. Bathrooms that have paneled or tiled walls can have space for an alcove tub that can be installed with a tub or shower combination. High-end alcove tubs can range between $500 and $600. Corner Bathtub Adding luxury to any bathroom space, corner tubs come with hefty price tags. These spacious bathing tubs provide enough space to accommodate 2 or maybe 3 persons at a time. One popular variant of corner tubs is the triangular bathing tub. However, the word triangular is a misnomer, as the tub is five-sided and not three-sided. Corner tubs have a number of issues to be dealt with. Firstly, they take pretty much time to fill-up owing to the spacious built. Secondly, corner tubs require a large amount of bathroom space for accommodation. Corner tubs may not be the right option while selecting a bathroom tub for home use. However, these tubs are excellent for spa therapies and hence, are used at exquisite resorts. Drop-in Bathtub A deck structure is required to accommodate drop-in bathtubs. These tubs can be installed within an alcove as a bathtub replacement or upgrade. Such tubs feature a separate rim. The tubs don't necessitate three-sided enclosure and provides an open bathing experience. Compared to alcoves, drop-in bathing tubs require more space for installation and are slightly more expensive. A typical drop-in tub can cost anywhere between $600 and $700. These bathing tubs come in a variety of colors and are build to blend in perfectly with almost any bathroom decor. Freestanding Bathtub Traditional bathing tub, also known as free-standing bathtub, is unconnected to any kind of surface. These bathing tubs require a big bathroom space. The best reward for using a freestanding bathing tub is the great freedom of movement it offers. Such tubs add antiquity to the bathing space. The antique bathing tubs can be installed on a three-sided enclosure. Freestanding bathtubs are expensive and can cost anywhere around the $2000 mark. Clawfoot and slipper tubs are cataloged as traditional bathing tubs. A bathtub can cost anything ranging from $500 to $5000 or even more, depending on the type and size. Before purchasing a bathing tub, make sure to highlight all your requirements to make the best choice possible.
  • 5 best Christmas ornaments you can buy this festive season
    One of the best things about Christmas is that it gives you a reason to decorate your home with glittery and shimmering baubles. It can get overwhelming to choose Christmas ornaments given the fact, there are so many types of ornaments and decorations. Thus, to help broaden your holiday horizons, here is a list of some of the best decorative articles for Christmas decorations at your place BestPysanky miniature wooden Christmas ornaments Ideal for small apartments, these miniature wooden Christmas ornaments can be used for tabletop Christmas trees. Each set contains 48 wooden pieces and includes figures raging sleds, snowmen to elves. The pieces vary in sizes and are more than an inch tall, making them suitable for small Christmas trees and advent calendars. Clay handprint and footprint keepsake kit Holidays are made out of blissful memories and family traditions. Clay hand and footprint keepsake kits are a sentimental way to mark special occasions or holidays (such as a baby’s arrival, or adopting a pet dog, etc.). The 15 ounces of clay should suffice for making two ornaments each of four inches in diameter. They come with mold and glaze so that you can hang your beloved’s hand or footprint. There are no special tools required. Reviewers and customers suggest that the clay materials are durable and can for a very long time provided they are handled with care. Christopher Radko Home is Where the Sled is ornament If you are up for a splurge, Home Is Where the Sled Is from Christopher Radko adds a luxurious and artisanal touch to a Christmas tree, regardless of the theme. The Christmas ornament is crafted in Europe using specialized glassblowing techniques and Renaissance-era carvings. The ornament also features a cheerful scene of Santa Clause and sleigh brimming with multi-colored and rendered presents. Melissa and Doug Mess-free glitter Christmas ornaments The DIY (Do It Yourself) ornament-making kit is best suited for children and will probably last more than one Christmas. The kit can be used to make six foam ornaments and comes with seven sheets of glitter paper. Users and reviewers from across the country state that the DIY can help bring out a creative angle in your child and keep them occupied productively. Lark Manor Glass Ornament assortment set These set of Christmas ornaments are stunning and affordable. They are handcrafted and painted in sparkling shades of white and silver. Lark Manor Glass Ornament Assortment set can be a beautiful addition to your already splendid Christmas tree.
  • 5 online courses to learn business English communication for non-native speakers
    With English as the most used language all over the world, it has become imperative for working professionals to learn the nuances of the language. This is because we have started collaborating with people across continents for our work and business. For all these purposes, the standard medium of communication is English. English used for everyday communication is quite different from the language used in business context. There are certain ways of writing and speaking English that have to be followed by professionals. The nuances and intricacies of the language are usually lost for people who are non-native speakers of the language. Non-native speakers are those who use English as their second language. If you want to learn or improve your business communication in English, here are 5 online English classes that teach effective business communication:
    1. Business English Basics: This course focuses on reading skills, vocabulary, use of correct tone, and style of language for professional communication and to analyze business data. This comprehensive and basic course helps a learner to describe and talk about events and things in a business context.
    2. English for Effective Business Writing: With a focus on business writing skills, this course helps in understanding different writing genres of business communication. This course covers business emails, executive summaries, persuasive communication, and how to adapt your content to your audience and purpose.
    3. English for Effective Business Speaking: This online English class works on your vocabulary, grammar, spoken communication skills for business purpose, pronunciation, and delivery of professional speeches. This course is quite helpful if you want to give effective job interviews.
    4. Business English for Cross-cultural Communication: This course is helpful to understand how communication works in cross-cultural settings. You will learn about potential miscommunication and misunderstanding that may arise due to ineffective or wrong use of the language.
    5. Write Professional Emails in English: Conducted by the Georgia Tech Language Institute, this course enables a learner to improve their English skills, especially in the context of business communication. This course focuses solely on writing effective emails in English. Along with grammar and vocabulary skills, this course helps to improve email writing skills as well.
  • The best laptop deals you can’t miss!
    The richness and versatility of the laptops have made them immensely popular. The end of the year is heading up. Well, there are many exciting laptop offers which you can avail before 2017 comes to an end. Some of the intriguing deals you can pursue are Christmas laptop specials deals. The laptop makers have presented a rich range of laptop and pc deals which are worth grabbing. Black Friday is about to come. All the major laptop companies have raised the curtain on the extensive range of year-end laptop deals. Even though the cost of the laptop and notebooks have fallen in the current year, however, if you are planning to save some extra bucks get ready for the Black Friday laptop and Cyber Monday laptops deals. You can avail even better deals on these two special days Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Before buying notebooks for sale, it is mandatory to go through the cheat sheet to get the best laptop deals. As per the predictions for the Black Friday laptops, and Christmas laptop specials, you can expect mainstream machines for $300, Chromebooks for $99 and laptops at $110. For instance: You can get the Chrome book with 2 GB of RAM, 16 GB SSD, and 2.16 GHz Celeron processor at a price of $99. Laptops with 500 GB hard disk, 4 GB RAM and the 15-inch display will be available around $110. You can plan to shop for the laptops on Black Friday. However, this year majority of exciting laptop offers can be availed on the Cyber Monday and Christmas laptop special deals. The mainstream machines with capabilities such as 8 GB RAM, 500 GB hard drive and i5 or i7 processors would be available at the cost of $300. If your laptop needs are minimal which implies you need them only for browsing the Internet and checking emails, you can consider buying the "bargain" laptops. The bargain laptops are classified as those who have less powerful processors and have slow speed. They are ideal for carrying out the light computing chores such as reading emails and surfing Internet. If you are planning to buy a laptop during laptop sale, make sure you do your necessary homework. Browse the Internet and explore the rich features of the laptops. Conduct comparison studies and compare the features of different laptop models and their cost. Grab the eye-catching deals for laptops on Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and Christmas laptop specials deals and save loads of money for various laptop models. Present day, it has become very easy to buy laptops and notebooks. You can get ideal machines with good features such as RAM, storage and other at affordable cost. Interestingly if you head for buying them during the laptop and notebooks sale, you will end some awesome deals.