Travel Season is here

Spring is here and with the warm weather comes vacation.  Nothing could ruin a vacation more than a financial mishap while traveling.  Here are a few tips to ensure the fun, relaxing vacation we all desire.

1. Clean your wallet. Only take necessary cards and information.
2. Use credit cards for major purchases.
3. Take a backup credit or debit card.
4. Beware of fake ATM’s or ATM’s compromised with spy ware.
5. Make copies of important financial information to take with you.
6. Inform the bank and credit card companies of your coming travel plans.
7. Use the hotel safe.
8. Protect your cash.
9. Watch out for crowds and pickpockets and purse snatchers.
10. Stay Organized
11. Research foreign destinations using multiple resources before travel.
12. Keep watch of your spending and hold onto receipt purchases.

When traveling for business www.entrepreneur.com suggests the following to save money and stay safe:

1. Fly with just one airline or book one hotel chain.
2. Travel with only carry-on luggage.
3. Use Uber.
4. Find alternatives to hotels (Airbnb for example).
5. Be flexible with your dates; staying an extra day or two can drop airline and hotel prices significantly.
6. Use coupon sites such as, RetailMeNot, Expedia, etc.
7. Don’t pay with cash.
8. Ask locals for restaurant suggestions.
9. Know your travel deductions.
10. Find alternatives to traveling like Skype, Hangouts and GoToMeeting and have virtual meetings.