Science fiction author Ray Bradbury wrote, “Half the fun of travel is the aesthetic of lostness.”1
By that he meant that as travel takes you out of your familiar world, you may feel a little lost. That can be a good thing. Sojourning for a while in a strange place, even if it’s just another part of the country, is a great way to gain perspective on life.
However, actually being lost or suffering the loss of your personal property are not good things. To help prevent those while you’re far from home, here are a few tips we’ve collected to make summer traveling a little safer.
Personal Safety
Buckle Up: The national Centers for Disease Control reports that motor vehicle crashes are the number one killer of healthy US citizens in foreign countries. The CDC recommends that you ride only in marked taxis or ride sharing vehicles. Avoid overcrowded, overweight, or top-heavy buses or vans. And when walking, be alert when crossing the street, especially in countries where people drive on the left.2
Avoid danger zones: Every destination has areas that are known for crime. So before venturing out, ask your hotel clerk or short-stay host about places you should avoid. Tourists make attractive targets because of the extra cash and valuables they have to carry.
Watch what you put in your mouth: Your destination may be famous for its street food, but that doesn’t mean all of it is safe for visitors to eat. This is another good question for your host. And of course, be careful when drinking local water. When in doubt, choose bottled.
Financial Safety
Alert your bank: You will probably need to withdraw cash in the local currency. Talk to your bank or credit union ahead of time so that they can note on your account when you’ll be traveling. This way, your away-from-home transactions won’t be flagged as fraudulent, and they can immediately block suspicious foreign activity on your account after you return.
Use your credit card: In addition to fraud protection, many credit cards include generous travel protections as part of their benefits—everything from extra insurance to concierge service if you run into a problem. Review these before you go. And like with your bank, alert your card company about your travel dates.
Secure your mobile devices: Besides being expensive to replace, having your mobile phone or tablet stolen can give savvy thieves access to your financial accounts. When you take your phone out with you, keep it in your front pocket or zipped into your handbag so it can’t be easily lifted. Secure all your devices with passcode protection. If you can set them to unlock with a thumbprint or face scan, even better.
Don’t jeopardize your future retirement cash flow: A costly overseas trip can be hazardous to your financial future—if you didn’t save enough for it ahead of time. That great deal on an all-inclusive cruise, paid for on credit, will set you back in both interest payments and opportunity cost as it affects your investing.
If you love to travel, set up a special fund for it in your budget. Then you can see the sights without incurring unnecessary and unplanned debt. For some good ideas on how to be a financially responsible traveler, talk to your trusted advisor.
Citations:
1 – https://www.roughguides.com/gallery/50-inspirational-travel-quotes/
2 – https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/summer-travel-abroad
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