The former Great British Bake Off star believes that travel can transform your life and has lots of tips on how to save money while on holiday
As a young girl, Sue Perkins’ family’s favourite holiday destination was a thirty-minute drive to Brighton where they would spend the morning paddling in the cold sea while her father watched on from the sand before heading home in time to watch the football.
However, Sue has travelled a lot further afield since then and has acquired an abundance of knowledge on what to do and what not to do while on the move. Luckily for us, she is sharing her top tips on the best ways to save money when you’re abroad and how to make the most of your getaway.
1. Don’t rely on one method of payment
To save money on currency exchange, Sue recommends getting money out before you go to the airport. Keeping all of your money on your phone is a bad idea so Sue recommends that you bring cash as well as card on holidays because it gives you a back up plan in case of emergencies. An Post have made this even easier with Rate Alerts, a brand new feature on the An Post Money Currency Card.
The An Post Money Currency Card is a prepaid Mastercard that allows you to purchase and top up 15 currencies on a single card. An Post charge 0% commission on their foreign currency offerings and are the only foreign currency provider that offer both cash and card.
2. Agree on a price before agreeing to purchase
It’s a good idea to understand and negotiate a price before agreeing to buy a product or service. Tourists can sometimes be overcharged for things like taxis, tours, food or memorabilia. Agreeing on a price beforehand may save more money in the long run.
3. Learn a few phrases in the native language
It sounds simple but being kind to others and treating local people with respect while abroad is important.
Sue suggests learning how to say hello and thank you in the local language and to incorporate some real interface with local communities. A valuable lesson she learned over time is to talk to people rather than photographing them, especially without their permission. Being friendly and showing respect to local people can have a big impact on your interactions and experiences while abroad. You never know, you could come home from your holiday with a priceless souvenir – a new friend.
4. Support the local economy
Eating locally can often result in finding hidden gems and having more unique experiences. Hunt around for local cafés and restaurants, see where the queues are and join one.
Sue says: “Immerse yourself in the local food scene, try new dishes and explore local markets. Not only will you enjoy delicious flavours, but you can also save money by opting for local eateries that offer authentic experiences at affordable prices.”
5. Go with the flow
Slow down and smell the roses, literally and figuratively. Sue says being prepared and doing research on your holiday destination is important but ultimately, you should just go with it. It’s easy to become caught up in the typical tourist attractions and follow a set plan to pack everything in. If you go sightseeing in the morning, some chill time in the afternoon might be well overdue.
At home, we are set in our usual routine which can mean that we walk the same route every day, wave to the same postman and buy the same coffee. A holiday is the perfect time to relax but also explore and try new things which is why Sue suggests going off the beaten track every once in a while, and packing away your Google Maps. She’s a firm believer in “being moved by it rather than curating it” while travelling. In other words, just go with it!
