Best Ways to Carry Money While Traveling in the Philippines

Traveling is something everyone looks forward to. Buying souvenirs, sightseeing, and enjoying food are part of a fun and memorable vacation. Naturally, these activities require a budget, so having cash on hand is essential.

Typically, you would plan an itinerary for activities you want to do for the day, which helps determine how much money you need to bring. However, you don't want to carry too much either. You have to consider the possibility of overspending and falling for scams and theft.

Nobody wants those unfortunate things to happen during their vacation, so how do you safely carry money when traveling?

Best Ways to Carry Cash When Traveling

1. Split your cash in multiple places

Having all your money in one place is never a good idea. If you put your cash and cards inside one wallet, you might lose everything them all at once if you happen to lose your wallet or a thief gets their hands on it.

Splitting your cash is a safe method to save money and prevent pickpockets from targeting you. You can put some money in one wallet in a bag while using a money clip for smaller bills. Another accessory that you can consider is a money belt. You can wear this around your waist or the inside of your shirt.

The best way to safeguard your money while on a trip is to leave it in a secure spot, like your luggage or the safe in the hotel room if you don't intend to spend a lot for the day. Only bring what's necessary, so you have extra cash for last-minute shopping or meals.

2. Keep small bills and change

Changing or withdrawing money can be beneficial for short-term use, such as minimizing fees. However, you might end up with more cash than you need, which could make you a target of pickpockets or cause you to overspend.

Keeping small bills allows you to purchase things quickly without having to rummage for the right amount. Plus, if you are interested in shopping, you don't want to pay using large bills for inexpensive items. It's also good to have small bills with you in case you need to use public transportation or buy from small stalls and stores.

3. Ditch the tote bag and backpack

It's convenient to travel with a backpack or a tote bag since you can quickly dump and grab your things inside. However, these kinds of bags also make your valuables more vulnerable to theft because they can easily be unzipped.

If possible, opt for an anti-theft bag. This has features like a cut-proof material, locking zippers, and slash-proof fabric to ensure that your valuables are safe. If you want to bring a smaller bag, you can use a fanny pack or a cross-body bag.

4. Clean out your wallet

If you don't necessarily need to have your cards and that much money on you, it's best to take them out of your wallet. This way, if you lose your wallet, you won't have to go through the hassle of replacing your cards and IDs, just the few you've lost.

Trim the contents of your wallet to the essentials: one or two credit cards, some identification, and your insurance card, if you have one.

5. Opt for cashless transactions

In some major cities, cashless transactions are a great alternative to traditional payment. You can use an e-wallet, mobile banking app, or contactless credit card. The first two can be used through an app or by scanning a QR code, while the third one will require you to tap the card on the merchant's point-of-sale system.

If cashless transactions are popular in your destination, it's best to use them to lessen the hassle and dangers of carrying cash everywhere.

Fun and Safe Travels

As the world slowly recovers from the effects of COVID-19, everyone's itching to travel again. If you're going on an international or domestic trip soon, know how to carry money when traveling to safeguard your finances while on vacation.

Don't forget to ask or research if your destination accepts cashless transactions. These can be a lifesaver since all you need is your mobile device with the e-wallet or mobile app installed.

Go cashless on your next trip by partnering with a bank with secured credit cards. RCBC is a premier bank that offers an array of contactless credit cards fit for different lifestyles. Get in touch with RCBC now to apply for a credit card!