7 Solo Backpacking Money Tips, A Woman’s Perspective

For instance, women particularly need to be aware of cultural rules of dress, since they can draw some unwanted attention and consequences if they’re dressed inappropriately. It’s not rocket science to follow guidelines like these, as well as other guidelines that will help make your money safer and your travel experience more exciting.

Here are some things to think about when you’re backpacking alone:

1. Budget For a Little Extra.

   You never know when something is going to come up or when you’re going to find a souvenir you absolutely can’t live without. Before you head out, put a little extra in your bank account to cover those expenses. That way, you won’t end up starving during the last week of your trip because you’re fresh out of cash.




2. Check Your Bank’s Debit Card Policy For Foreign Nations.

   Some banks are great when you’re traveling around the world – you just have to pay a minor fee to get cash out. Others, though, are really pretty awful. Some even offer no foreign transaction fees. It may be worth your time to actually switch banks so that you’ll have easy access to cash should the need arise.




3. Keep Multiple Forms of Payment on You.

   It might be worth your while to invest in some traveler’s checks, and having cash on hand is always a good idea simply because you never know when you’ll be in a hole in the wall that doesn’t take debit or credit. It’s also a good idea to diversify the type of money you carry if you’re going to bouncing from one country to the next.




4. Don’t Carry Too Much Cash at Once.

   This is a no-brainer. Just carry the cash you need for the day or a couple of days at most. No matter how careful you are, the worst could happen and you could lose whatever you’re carrying. When you’re backpacking, particularly, it’s not a good idea to carry a ton of cash. Sometimes if you have a home base and have a safe you can use, you might pull out a bit more cash. Just leave some back at the base while you’re out trekking around.




5. Use Your Credit Card to Reserve Tickets And such.

   Ashyia Hill from CreditDonkey says, that way, you get travel-related benefits and protection, at least with most credit cards. Plus, some offer baggage insurance, which can help you get money back if your baggage is lost or delayed.




6. Invest in a Comfortable Money Belt.

   It should fit closely to you under your clothes, and it shouldn’t be bulky or obvious. Of course, people know to look for money belts on travelers, but keeping your money close in one is, nonetheless, a good idea. It’s a good idea to carry most of your cash and credit cards in a money belt. You may, though, want to keep an emergency credit card as well as some cash stashed in your backpack just in case.




7. Before You go Write…

   Write down all the important contact numbers you might need, make several copies, and keep them in different spots in your luggage – your purse, money belt, backpack, day pack, etc. That way, if you need to check something or cancel your card if it’s stolen, you’ve got the numbers with you and don’t need to spend tons of time tracking them down.

These basic tips will help you keep your money safer on your backpacking trip. With your money safe, you don’t have to worry about as much, so you can just let loose and enjoy your trip as a solo traveler.