Travelling the world, especially with a family, demands smart money management. Thankfully, technology offers a plethora of tools and apps to help. Here’s how we keep our finances in check on the go.
Budgeting Apps
Apps like Mint and YNAB (You Need A Budget) are invaluable. They link to bank accounts, track spending, and categorise expenses, making it easier to see where our money goes.
Currency Conversion
We use apps like XE Currency for real-time exchange rates. This helps in making informed decisions while shopping or dining in different countries.
Online Banking
Banking apps are essential for keeping track of accounts and transferring money. Features like alerts for unusual transactions are especially helpful. Don’t forget to inform your bank of your travel plans otherwise you may find your cards frozen unexpectedly.
Expense Tracking
We keep a daily log of expenses on an Excel spreadsheet, but you can also use apps like Expensify, which are useful for splitting costs and keeping track of receipts, particularly for tax purposes.
Travel Deals
Apps like Skyscanner and Hopper are great for finding the best deals on flights and accommodations, helping us to plan more cost-effectively. We have found that different websites can be useful in different countries. Booking.com and AirBNB are always worth a look.
Communication
Staying connected with cost-effective communication tools like WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger reduces our phone expenses. We try to do most videocalls over WiFi, but use a local sim for mobile data when WiFi is unavailable.
Educational Resources
We use many free educational resources like Khan Academy and BBC Bitesize. However, we do find some apps to be good value and worth a small fee, such as Twinkl and Duolingo, ensuring the kids’ learning continues without high costs.
Managing money while travelling isn’t just about spending less; it’s about spending smart. These tools help us make every penny count, ensuring our adventure continues without financial strain.
