Travel Smart The Banking Tricks No One Explains (and That Cost You Money)
- Feb 4
- 2 min read
Updated: 6 days ago
After a trip, everything should be a good memory. And yet, many times the first thing we do is open our banking app… and that’s when the shock comes. A few extra euros here. A strange charge there. A commission we don’t remember agreeing to.
If this has happened to you after a trip to London, Rome, or New York, it’s not a coincidence. It’s not that traveling is expensive; it’s something much simpler: no one taught us how to pay outside Spain.
That’s why today I’m launching a special Wednesday series in the Travel section. Over the next few weeks, we’ll bring order to all that silent chaos so you stop giving your hard-earned money to banks.
Traveling with excitement is great. Traveling with control and peace of mind is even better.
What No One Tells You About Using Your Money Abroad
Here is a preview of what we will be uncovering in the coming weeks:
1️⃣ The ATM maze
Withdrawing cash abroad often comes with stress: Will they charge me? Is it safe? Some ATMs are true "white-glove thieves" placed in tourist areas. The good news is that there are clear visual signs to distinguish them, and they can be avoided.
2️⃣ The card terminal trap: “Currency Conversion”
If you travel outside the Eurozone, the payment terminal will ask the dreaded question: "Would you like to pay in euros or local currency?" Choosing euros feels logical, but it’s the most expensive mistake. Learning to answer correctly can save you the cost of a nice dinner.
3️⃣ “New generation” cards: Are they for us?
Names like Revolut, N26, or Wise sound very techy and can make us uneasy:
Are they safe without a physical branch?
Is it too complicated? The reality is that these “pocket banks” offer a peace of mind that traditional banks rarely mention.
4️⃣ The traveler’s fine print — translated into plain English
Interbank exchange rates, foreign currency fees, withdrawal limits... Words designed to confuse. We’ll translate all this jargon so you know exactly where you’re being overcharged.
Why now? And why here?
Because traveling should be about enjoyment, not banking scares. Because our pensions and savings deserve respect. You don’t need to be a financial expert: you just need to understand the rules of the game.
I’ve decided to organize this information so you can travel with the calm confidence of someone who knows what they’re doing with their money.
📅 Next stop (next Wednesday):
The Fine Print Trap: What your bank doesn’t tell you when you pay abroad. We’ll look at those invisible charges and how to turn them off for good.
Save your Wednesdays. We’ll go step by step, without rushing, with clear explanations.
Two destinations, two rhythms, one way of looking.
Choosing how and when to travel matters.
Learn what bank fees apply when you pay outside your country and how to avoid unnecessary charges while travelling.
This article is part of the Travel section, where we talk about moving through the world with calm and intention.