DD,16, Going To UK...New Questions pg 3 #38

[ugadog99]

Personally, I do think it's unacceptable you don't have an itinerary and packing list from the director of the trip. You are 2 weeks out!

Yeah, this part is flipping me out! I like to have all my ducks in a row, especially with something like this that we have never done before!

 

[Bonnie151]

Someone asked about the fee to use the ATM, I think. Her account is with BOA which has an agreement/sister bank/something with Barclays. Apparently, using her card at a Barclays will not incur the fee. Now, if there isn't a Barclays around, there will be a fee. The account is a joint account, so I will be able to access it daily to keep up with what is going on.

As far as I am aware, there is only one Barclays bank in Edinburgh although it is very central on St Andrews Sq (assuming it's still there- it's been a while since I've been past it!). Get some travellers cheques in US dollars - she can then change them in any number of places including M&S & the Post Office.

The weather has been rubbish in Edinburgh for the past week or so- www.weather.co.uk is usually quite reliable for forecasts.

 

[ugadog99]

As far as I am aware, there is only one Barclays bank in Edinburgh although it is very central on St Andrews Sq (assuming it's still there- it's been a while since I've been past it!). Get some travellers cheques in US dollars - she can then change them in any number of places including M&S & the Post Office.
The weather has been rubbish in Edinburgh for the past week or so- www.weather.co.uk is usually quite reliable for forecasts.

That helps so much! Thank you!!

 

[lila]

One more thing. I would suggest she bring a lightweight fleece. It's all about the layers over there. I have been working in Ireland a lot this year, and you just never never know with the weather.

I also think it's unrealistic for you to expect her to be able to find a specific type of ATM when she can't control her schedule and locations. She'll likely need to use what is nearby and handy.

The money thing is definitely challenging, but I think a better approach would be to make her a little spreadsheet for her that converts dollar amounts to pounds and let her know her overall budget for the 2 weeks, and put that amount in the ATM account (with a buffer).

I don't know if you can trust her with that at 16 - I know I would have adhered to it, but all kids are different!

 

[dazeddaisy]

Make sure you tell your bank you will be in the UK and between X dates. The worst thing to happen overseas is your card to be blocked because of an auto security measure.

Cash is much better than travellers cheques. Yes there is security associated with travellers chequres - but cash is accepted everywhere.

In her carry on take a small bottle of deodrant, toothpaste (less than 100ml) and a complete change of clothes. All liquids must be in the same clear plastic bag. A ziplocked back is the best.

As for lunch money I would give her approx 15-20. She can eat in most places and have change. A pub meal in edinburgh will be about 10-13 pounds including a drink (for a hearty meal). Prices are similear in London. Yes you can get cheaper and depending how she eats at home you can probably get away with less.

She will have an amazing time in Fringe. I have been every year for the past 7 years. Expect the unexpected!

 

[NewDCLGuy]

www.weather.co.uk is usually quite reliable for forecasts.

If you can't access that site, I can give you a reasonable prediction based on my trips to Scotland.

It will rain, and be cool, and windy, and be sunny, and hot. Then the next hour, the weather will be completely different.

 

[ugadog99]

I also think it's unrealistic for you to expect her to be able to find a specific type of ATM when she can't control her schedule and locations. She'll likely need to use what is nearby and handy.

The money thing is definitely challenging, but I think a better approach would be to make her a little spreadsheet for her that converts dollar amounts to pounds and let her know her overall budget for the 2 weeks, and put that amount in the ATM account (with a buffer).

I don't know if you can trust her with that at 16 - I know I would have adhered to it, but all kids are different!

Oh, I don't expect her to stick with just the Barclays. If it's there and she can use it that's fine. I like the spreadsheet idea. If it were my older DD going then I know she could stick to the budget. The younger one....hmmm...we'll see.

Where is the best place to find accurate and current conversion rates?

 

[Bonnie151]

If she needs to provide her own lunch each day, she doesn't need to eat in pubs all the time which can add up pretty quickly. Places like M&S and Boots sell ready made sandwiches & salads etc which she can take down to the Gardens & eat along with tons of us locals.

 

[ugadog99]

Make sure you tell your bank you will be in the UK and between X dates. The worst thing to happen overseas is your card to be blocked because of an auto security measure.

Cash is much better than travellers cheques. Yes there is security associated with travellers chequres - but cash is accepted everywhere.

In her carry on take a small bottle of deodrant, toothpaste (less than 100ml) and a complete change of clothes. All liquids must be in the same clear plastic bag. A ziplocked back is the best.

As for lunch money I would give her approx 15-20. She can eat in most places and have change. A pub meal in edinburgh will be about 10-13 pounds including a drink (for a hearty meal). Prices are similear in London. Yes you can get cheaper and depending how she eats at home you can probably get away with less.

She will have an amazing time in Fringe. I have been every year for the past 7 years. Expect the unexpected!

We are very excited! She is the only freshman to earn the opportunity to go and didn't find out that she was going until her 16th birthday in March. It has been a very, very expensive trip to pay for, but I know she will create memories for a lifetime. I wish the parents could go so we could see them perform, but we have spent all our money getting the kids there!

 

[lila]

I use x-rates.com

Make sure you tell your bank you will be in the UK and between X dates. The worst thing to happen overseas is your card to be blocked because of an auto security measure.

Good point - of all the countries I have been in, across all 7 continents, the UK is the only place I ever had this happen to me in, and it sucked. On the other hand, I had backup cards, as noted above, so it wasn't a huge deal.

 

[Kath2003]

It's roughly £1 = $1.5. So £5 = $7.50.

 

[ugadog99]

Make sure you tell your bank you will be in the UK and between X dates. The worst thing to happen overseas is your card to be blocked because of an auto security measure.

I always tell my bank anytime we travel. I had that on my list of things to do. Once her ATM card arrives and is activated, I'll be letting the bank know of her travels. Thanks for the reminder!

 

[ksjayhawks]

Go to your bank and order some pounds for her. If they are only going to be there one day, she won't need much--some for lunch and souveniers. If the group is going on a tour as soon as they land, the leaders may not allow the kids time to use the atms. That could be a big time waster, depending on the number of kids traveling, plus they want to get going and keep on schedule.

Pack snacks and gum in a tupperware type container in her checked bag--granola bars, m'n'm's, etc.--as this helps cut down on costs during the trip. She can also use the container to pack small or fragile things or postcards, programs, etc for coming home. Send a water bottle that she can fill and use each day--she might want to put this in her backpack. Also tell her it is okay to say no when people ask for a snack: "No, I only have enough snacks for me to have one each day."

Send clothes that will dry quickly. Send some little travel packets of detergent so that she can do some laundry in the restroom sinks in the dorns if she needs to and dry it in her room. Send some of her older underwear and she can throw it away when she is done.

Keep her checked bag light so that she has room to bring back souveniers. Send a rain poncho or lightweight rain coat and forget the umbrella. I probably wouldn't send a sweatshirt as she can buy one there and have it as a souvenier.

She won't need as much clothes as she thinks she does. Take pants, capris, and shorts that can be worn two days before washing. Take lightweight shirts and wash them. Take one nice dress or skirt/top and wear it for the all the times she needs it--maybe two if they need to dress up a lot. If they need to take their own towels, pack two beach towels.

Avoid jeans as they weigh so much. Keep the number of shoes to a minimum--they are heavy and take up space! Stuff underwear, socks, etc in gallon zip loc bags, take the air out, and shut. Gives you some more room and organization plus they are great to use for dirty clothes coming home.

Forget the travellers checks, the atm card or a credit card for her souveniers and perhaps even her meals is much easier.

Send an extra sd card for the camera. Deleting pictures wastes a lot of the battery life.

Forget the cell phone and get a calling card. Have her use it once at home to make sure it works and she knows how to use it.

Empty out her purse and have her only carry the essentials.

Take some thank you cards. Take a small notebook to keep track of expenses, places she has been, phone numbers and addresses, etc. Take a manilla envelope to throw brochures, programs, flyers, etc into.

You should have an itinerary and a list of what is going on so you know the type of clothes to pack plus any special things that they want brought and items that they definitely do not want them to bring.

Hope she has a great time!

 

[ugadog99]

Ksjayhawks, you gave some great advice. Thanks! I'm going to make sure she reads through all of this with me.

 

[MiniGirl]

How exciting for your dd. She will never forget this trip.

Some thing others haven't mentioned. Make sure she has copies of her ID, passport, credit/ATM card numbers. We usually out these in a sealed envelope and leave them in the safe in the room, but she probably won't have that option. She could leave it in her suitcase and easily be able to tell if it has been tampered with. You should have copies of these at home as well.

 

[ugadog99]

Thanks, minigirl. I was planning on running up to school next week to make copies of all the important paperwork.

 

[lila]

There is some really good advice above - advice that is superpractical when you are 22 and backpacking around Europe, but harder when you are younger and on a group trip.

Your daughter is going to be 16 and the youngest in her group, right? If I were her, there is no way I would be pulling out tupperware containers of treats. She is going to eat where her friends want to eat, not by herself at the place across the steet that is more economical.

Hence, I think a more practical suggestion, and what I do, is bring a bunch of luna bars/granola bars. And I would share them - it's a very good way to build friendships. Within reason, of course.

I think some other practical options that could help her save a buck are for her to bring some empty zip lock bags (which she could always fill up en route and are easier to toss in your bag) and a nalgene water bottle.

 

[ugadog99]

New questions for today:

Does hand sanitizer (particularly the BBW pocket bacs) count as a liquid or gel? (the size is only 1 oz, so I know size wise it's ok)

On the subject of liquids: Does the 3oz rule apply to both checked and carry on luggage?

For those of you with teenaged girls, you'll understand this next part. For those without that delightful population in your house, just roll your eyes and chuckle. They will depart Atlanta at 9:00 pm and travel through the night. Upon touching down at Heathrow, I understand (of course this is coming from the 16 year old, so who knows how accurate this is), they will begin their touring. It makes sense because they only have one day in London and lots on their list to do. So, I know she can pack a travel deoderant and toothbrush/toothpaste, and comb/brush. However, I know she is going to want to touch up the makeup. (here's where the eye rolling comes in) I thought about getting a compact with a foundation/powder, mascara, tiny eyeshadow set, and some lip gloss. Will that work? And, if so, does anyone have a suggestion for the compact?

Final question for now: My mom and a couple of other people have said they would like to give her a prepaid Visa card for souvenir spending. What we don't know (yes, we really are this stupid) is if we buy it here in the States, can she use it in England/Scotland? I don't feel comfortable with her having a "real" credit card, but I thought the prepaid ones would be okay. Those can be her souvenir money and will be separate from her cash for incidentals.

 

[crashbb]

Go to your bank and order some pounds for her. If they are only going to be there one day, she won't need much--some for lunch and souveniers.

Your suggestions are great, but this one had me confused.

She'll only be in London for one day, but Scotland uses the British pound as well - unless I've gone completely insane.

 

[ugadog99]

Right, London is for one day, but then Scotland is for the next 12. I know they plan on keeping the out of pocket meal very reasonable on most days. The director has mentioned Subways, McDonald's, etc. They will be having a "traditional Scottish dinner" on their last night, but I believe that has been paid. I had thought about the prepaid Visa cards as a way to keep her souvenir money completely separate from her food/incidental money. (She is not really the best at budgets. )