*This is a collaborative post.
No matter where in the world you are heading to on your next vacation, one thing you will need to do is exchange your GBP beforehand. Most people spend weeks looking at the exchange rates in advance to make sure that they can get the best deal. In this post, we are going to provide you with some advice on that, as well as revealing how to save money on your next trip. But first, we’re going to take a look at some of the crazy currencies that were once used around the world. Prepare to be shocked!
International currencies you weren’t expecting
“Hello, I am visiting Russia; I’d like to exchange my British pounds please.” “Hello Sir, sure, here are your squirrel pelts, enjoy your trip.” WHAT?! Squirrel pelts? Believe it or not, this is no fictional scenario. Well, it is unlikely that they had foreign exchange companies in medieval Russia, but they definitely traded with squirrel parts. Although, there is uncertainty surrounding what you may have got in return for your squirrel ear.
The medieval Russian currency is not the only weird and wonderful form of cash to have graced the world we live in. There are lots of other strange foreign currencies. And, a lot of them are more modern than you would think. Intrigued? Read on to discover the best foreign currency exchange to have existed.
Holy Water Dollar
Palau is a minute island found in the western Pacific Ocean. They use the dollar there; however they put their own twist on the currency a few years ago in 2007. They made a silver dollar coin containing a picture of the Virgin Mary. Inside the coin there was a very small vial containing holy water.
Moose Jaw Centennial
This is a currency that was used in Germany after the First World War. The unique thing about the Moose Jaw Centennial is that the money was made out of wood. As you may imagine they had to pay monumental fees for the damage that had been caused. They did this by paying with wooden currency.
Rai Stone
The official currency in the Solomon Islands is the Solomon Islands dollar. However, if you can get your hands on some rai stones then you will reap the rewards of a better ‘exchange rate’. As you may have guessed, the rai stone is literally money that has been made from stone. They are carved from limestone and look like a circular disk with a whole in the middle. Value is supposedly calculated on size. You may view this is an ‘exchange’ – a stone for a product. However, this is not the case, rai stones are actually classed as a form of currency.
Disney Dollars
If you are planning on going on a Disney cruise, visiting a Disney resort, or going to a Disney private island, then you will actually pay with Disney Dollars. This is actually a recognised currency and it is a strong one at that. This is because the value of the Disney dollar is levelled to that of the American dollar. This currency has been in existence since 1987. Who would have thought Mickey Mouse and Dumbo would be the face of a dollar?
There have been some crazy and brilliant currencies to have existed. Imagine going to the Solomon Islands and asking what the best foreign currency exchange rate is for some stone? It sounds completely fictional doesn’t it?
Reap gains by staying on top of the exchange rate euros to pounds
In general the exchange rate between the euro and the pound tends to be poor. In fact, forecasters are already predicting a further drop throughout the rest of the year. Because of this people seem to assume that they are only ever going to be on the end of a bad deal. Therefore they give no thought to when and where they are going to exchange their pounds for euros. However, this is not recommended to say the least. The exchange rate euros to pounds fluctuate frequently. If you are savvy with your timing then you can easily reap the gains of an improved exchange rate.
The best thing to do is to go onto an internet search engine web page now and begin your digging. Take the time to thoroughly compare and contrast the different exchange rates offered by various foreign exchange companies. You will be able to come to a conclusion regarding what websites are the best when it comes to exchanging your pounds to euros. Nevertheless, it is important to take into account any fees that are charged, such as a flat rate fee or a minimum fee. If a company charges extortionate fees for their services then you should stay away in order to avoid any nasty surprises.
Once you determined the best website for a euro to pound exchange rate you will then need to monitor the situation. Most of the top foreign exchange companies today have a segment on their website showcasing their live exchange rates. You should monitor this and then you can capitalise when you see that the time is fit.
In fact, instead of having to search manually several times a day, there is another solution. If you opt to change your currency via Eurochange then you can gain from their rate watch service. This allows you to enter a desired exchange rate. Once the rate reaches this level you will then be alerted by text message so that you can exchange your cash.
This option is something that is highly recommended. At the end of the day, Eurochange are a credible and well-known company. They have a lot of experience in the industry and they are well-liked and respected because of the good exchange rates they offer their customers.
All things considered, don’t merely settle for the first exchange rate you see. Make sure you monitor the situation if you really want to get your money’s worth. It is also a good idea to keep things in your own currency whenever you can. For example, instead of purchasing a calling card while abroad, use a SMARTY phone so you can prepay for this in GBP before your trip.
Rent one of the big holiday cottages in the UK and enjoy a vacation at ‘home’ for a cheaper trip without exchange rate hassle
Planning a holiday is something which is a combination between being exciting but also stressful. There are lots of different destinations and accommodation options at your disposal. Thus, you need to narrow down your choices effectively in order to find the perfect vacation for you. One suggestion which a lot of people are taking up is staying in the UK and enjoying the best of what Britain has to offer. There are several reasons why you should consider renting and staying in the country for this year’s holiday.
The most obvious reason is because staying in the UK will save you a lot of money. There are many ways it does so. First and foremost, you will not need to spend any money on air travel, and this will save you at least a couple of hundred pounds per person. In addition to this, you do not need to exchange your pounds to a foreign currency. This means that you do not miss out because of the exchange rate either.
Not having money changed is also beneficial because it makes it much more convenient for you. Convenience is another quality which is associated with having your holiday in the UK this year. You can travel to your desired location via a method which is the most convenient to you e.g. public transport or driving yourself. Moreover, you are not limited to one suitcase, nor are you restrained via flight times and so on and so forth.
There are also some fantastic locations in Britain as well. A lot of people overlook these because they see the UK as ‘home’ and thus they often forget that there are lots of hidden gems. Places such as Sussex boast simply phenomenal scenery, incredible atmosphere, and lots of attractions. In addition to this, what Britain has over the other countries abroad is the fact that there are some beautiful big holiday cottages laced around the country. These all boast picturesque settings, traditional features and a homely feel.
In addition to this, staying in the UK is great because you don’t need to get used to the culture. You will have no problem speaking to the local people. Moreover, if there is a problem or you need help then you will not feel at a loss because you will feel more used to your surroundings.
So there you have it; if you are considering your vacation options for this year than staying in the UK is something you should definitely keep in mind.
