Really confused.... Please help!

[David and Debbie]

I have been reading the other posts about what is the best way to do it. I like the idea of the 0% Nationwide Card but would worry that before I go it might drop and I would loose out. Is it a good idea to change up some in cash / travelers cheques and still have an account as I am planning on saving each month and changing when he dollar rate is good. Then I wont feel like I have lost out. Any suggestion would be appreciated. I hope it makes sense! Thank you

 

[Mrs Doubtfire]

I like to collect over the months - when are you going?

We use a mixture of cash & cards.

 

[David and Debbie]

End of June 2009, have you got a holiday booked?

Thanks I didn't know if people tended to do a mixture.

 

[Mrs Doubtfire]

We go in December & have already exchanged some whem it was 1.98, so very happy about that.

Some use only cards as they prefer to earn interest on their savings -but it's personal preference really

 

[Chilly]

Its always a good idea to have at least some cash/travellers cheques in case something happens to your card.

 

[mattnkatsmum]

I don't think it would do any harm to buy a few dollars here and there whilst the rate is so good. I bought £1000 last year at $2 to £1 but I have kept hold of the bulk of it (despite three trips) as I prefer to use my Nationwide card and get (say) $1.96 so at least I've got the dollars for another trip when the rate might be a lot lower. Obviously, I've lost interest on my cash, so I'm not sure if that's the best approach but I'm happy enough.

 

[milomummy]

I bought something for my mum meaning she owed me money, I asked her to get it for me in Dollars in preperation for our Christmas trip so we now have $300 in cash. Hubby is using $ in Iraq so will probably have some floating around when he returns too.
We have the added issue that half of our money is in £ and half in € (we live in Germany as part of the forces), so I am trying to save our spending money in the UK account rather that the German one, and when I go back to UK at the end of August I will probably buy some travellers cheques in $ with what I have saved so far. I will probably get a bit more cash too.
Is it easy to change travellers cheques?
We haven't used them for ages as we have holidayed in Europe and just taken the cash with us. I am most definitely a cash person!

 

[wicket2005]

We use a combination of cash, TC and credit card (ie Nationwide). Usually use the cc for shop purchases, restaurants, etc and cash for snacks, small purchases, etc. I always like to cover all bases, so have a few credit cards in case one is lost and has to be cancelled.

 

[DISWolves]

We usually take a few hundred dollars, for tolls, tips etc, but our major spend is on Nationwide CC. Last August we enjoyed $2.04 on many occasions

 

[wickesy]

What about a pre-paid credit card like this. You can top it up when the rate is good but don't have to worry about carrying a wad of cash around. We used it this year having bought when the rate was over $2.00 to the pound.

 

[David and Debbie]

Thank you for all you replies. I have had a look at the FairFX card, and I think I am going to get one of those as well as taking a some travelers cheques and cash too.

Thanks again

 

[Snowy-girls]

Ok dumb question coming up----

When i usually get my Travellers Cheques,it tends to be about a week before we go.But this time i am going to grab whilst it's good-how far in advance can i buy TC-i don't go until the 1st April.Thanks.x.

David and Debbie hope you did'nt mind me asking a question on your thread.I thought being as though it's to do with money,it would be ok.x.

 

[irongirlof12]

you could also go for the P.O. CC. they also offer good rates and no commission abroad. I got one and only use it for overseas stuff. We took some dollars to get us going. the kids had theirs in dollars which I gave them a bit each day, so they could 'save up' if they wanted.

I would use a CC over travelers cheques as the exchange rates are lower on these and they charge commission to change. Yes, you can use then in shops but you would need proof of id as well.