The key to any successful backpacking or gap-year travelling holiday is to stick to your budget. In order to realistically make your money last an entire month or even a year it is important to stick to within a manageable budget.
Backpacking after university or school can be a breath-taking life experience and a marvellous way to see the world. But although accommodation and travel can be cheap if you look in the right places, security and finances remain an issue whatever corner of the globe you may find yourself in.
In order to combat the security issues of travelling in hostels and bed and breakfasts it is vital not to carry around wads of cash that, when lost or stolen, is sure to be gone forever. It is an unfortunate aspect of travelling that you should have to watch pick-pockets and thieves who target vulnerable backpackers, but there are ways and means of fending them off.
One of the most effective measures is to carry travelling funds using a prepaid card. A prepaid card has no links to personal bank accounts with no risk of personal or bank fraud. Meanwhile backpackers who do misplace their prepaid card can simply report their card as stolen and receive a replacement from their card issuer.
In terms of budgeting a prepaid card is an extremely effective money management tool. As there is no credit or overdraft facility attached travellers must pre-load their card with funds to use overseas. With a Pockit MasterCard® travellers can also nominated additional cardholders to their account, meaning parents or guardians can load money into the account in the event of an emergency overseas.
Gaining acceptance for a prepaid card is incredibly straightforward. As long as you are 18 or over and can prove your identity you can sign up for a prepaid card almost instantly. This is very useful if your travelling or backpacking is hastily arranged at the last minute.
Most countries will accept a
prepaid MasterCard® as a method of payment, with over 30 million locations worldwide and 1.5 million ATM machines compatible. If you’re looking for a safer method than carrying cash and a more efficient method than travellers cheques a prepaid card really is the way to go for backpacking.