MoneyWisdom Blog

When I mentioned to a co-worker that I was vacationing in Europe this summer, this intrepid traveler shared an excellent money-saving tip with me:

When you're using your credit card to pay for a purchase in a foreign country, make sure you're charged in local currency, not your home currency.

You’re about to purchase airfare online. You’re almost done booking the ticket when you’re confronted with the question: Do you want to add travel insurance to your purchase?

Do you remember being a teen, when your folks insisted on knowing where you were going, who you’d be with, and when you’d be back? It was annoying then, but as an adult you probably understand they just wanted you to be safe.

Well, we don’t care so much about the company you keep, but giving us the “where and when” of your travel plans can help prevent problems when you use your card, especially if you are going overseas.

When you visit a beautiful vacation destination, have a wonderful time, and plan to return again and again, you may dream of owning a home there. However, for many, a vacation home – with the big down payment, monthly mortgage, and ongoing maintenance costs — just isn’t in the budget. An alternative many people consider is a timeshare, which can seem like a cost-effective alternative to hotel stays. However, as with any major purchase, a lot of careful research should go into deciding whether or not a timeshare is the right choice for you. Here are four questions to consider before buying a timeshare.

You’ve decided to take a cruise. Get ready for beautiful views, stewards to clean your room and those famous buffets. But first, read these money-saving tips. After all, even when you’ve paid ahead for your meals, accommodations and entertainment, there are lots of ways to spend more than you planned.

That vacation you planned last winter is almost here. Whether you’re hitting the road to visit family or taking the trip of a lifetime, you’ll need a plan for handling finances on the go.