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Wise Travel Card V Debit Card 

Written by R. A. Stewart

I own a Wise Travel card and a debit card. They are both convenient to have when I am travelling abroad but serve different purposes. There are some basic security rules one must follow when using these cards. Here they are:

  1. Don’t sign up with these cards with an email address which you use for cryptocurrency, dating sites, and whatever and when you are given the option of signing in to AI with a Google account don’t use an email address that you use to sign in to Wise or your debit card.
  2. Don’t click on any link you receive in your email; it could be a scammer for all you know trying to hack into your account.
  3. Don’t use an easily identifiable password such as your pet’s name. Someone could get this info about you by looking at your social media stuff.
  4. Don’t use either of these cards for saving for an overseas trip, a car, or whatever it is you are saving for. There are better options for saving money such as an ordinary bank account or in shares.
  5. Have other options for money if you should lose one card so that you won’t be caught out on holiday. Familiarise yourself with the process for dealing with a lost or stolen card.

A Wise travel card and debit card are convenient ways to pay but in different ways. Here are the differences:

Travel: Wise Travel Card 

Using a Wise travel card when you are overseas will save you a lot of money in bank fees. If you are using your bank’s debit card for your day to day spending while you are overseas then you will be shocked by the amount of money that has been spent on bank fees.

Accommodation expenses: Debit card

A debit card is handy for paying for your accommodation online which is what I do but if you are paying at the counter then both a wise card and a debit card will do the job. Bank fees on your debit card will be higher though. Be aware that some accommodation providers require you to give your debit card details to them as security.

Grocery Shopping: Wise card

A wise card is better for grocery shopping when you are overseas, if you used your bank’s debit card to pay for your day to day expenses then the bank fees will quickly add up.

Saving money: Neither a wise travel card  or an ordinary debit card are suitable for saving money due to security issues, but there is an exception to this rule and that is if you were putting money aside for your holiday spending money. I just top up my wise card months prior to travel and while I am on my travels.

Internet shopping: Debit card

I use a debit card for my internet shopping such as with ebay, trademe, and the like, but you still need to be careful with which sites you give your bank details to.

Bus/train transport: Wise card

I use a wise card for domestic travel whether it be the local buses in the cities like Edinburgh, Stirling, and Aberdeen or paying for train travel. Using a debit card for overseas travel is more expensive. 

About this article

This article is of the writer’s opinion and does not represent financial advice and may not be applicable to your personal circumstances  therefore discretion is advised. You may use this article as content for your blog or ebook.

Read my other articles on www.robertastewart.com

 

JOIN WISE HERE

Tired of seeing your bank charge you $5-10 every time you withdraw cash abroad PLUS that hidden foreign transaction fee? 🤯 That’s money that should be buying you a gelato, a beer, or a souvenir. Wise gets you the real mid-market exchange rate with only tiny, transparent conversion fees from 0.42%. Stop funding your bank’s next vacation. Fund yours. 👉 Link in bio to get your Wise card! 

JOIN WISE HERE

#TravelHacks #WiseCard #NoHiddenFees

 

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Stop Overspending: Why Separate Accounts Are Your Best Savings Hack

Written by R. A. Stewart

These days people have bank accounts for different kinds of purposes depending on what the money is being used for. Having your money in separate accounts helps avoid the temptation to spend. Here are some of the most common types of bank accounts people have.

  1. Personal Savings Account

This is the account most people get their pay credited to. It is a spending account for everyday living such as groceries, car running costs, etc. Most people have their fixed bills such as newspaper subscriptions, power bills, and rent directly debited from this account.

  1. Rainy Day Account

This is for unexpected expenses such as car break downs, appliance repairs, school expenses, etc.

  1. Retirement Account

It is essential to have some kind of retirement account. New Zealand’s retirement scheme is called Kiwisaver. It takes vision to make provision for your later years. It is also the responsible and mature thing to do. If there is one thing which your future you will thank you for it is that in your present you have made consistent contributions to your retirement account.

  1. Rent or Rates account

This needs to be kept separate from an account you use for your everyday transactions because what you do not need is to be short of money when it comes to paying your rates or rent.

  1. Insurance bill account

Paying insurance is not cheap, whether it is house or contents insurance, or vehicle insurance and keeping a separate account for this will give you a peace of mind when it comes to paying it.

  1. Travel Spending Money account

This account is for your holiday spending money; this is discretionary spending money. You should not have a credit card for any reason, especially for travel expenses. If you cannot even save your holiday spending money then stay home.

  1. Travel Airfares account

The same rules as your travel spending money account.

  1. Investment accounts

Investing your money grows your wealth. In order to grow your wealth for your future you must invest in several places. Investing not only grows your wealth, it also grows your financial literacy.

  1. Debit card for online transactions

Having a debit card for purchasing stuff online is convenient. A debit card is not for saving whether short-term or long-term. It can be easy to fall victim to a bank scam with a debit card. All it takes is for you to lose your card so only have what you need in this account.

Power Saving Hack: If you have a freezer and there is a lot of empty space in it then get some empty soft drink bottles and fill them with water and put them in the freezer. A part empty freezer uses more power than a full one.

About this Article

This article is of the opinion of the writer and is not financial advice. It may not be applicable to your personal circumstances therefore discretion is advised. You may use this article as content for your blog/website or ebook.

Read my other articles on www.robertastewart.com

Explore Freely, Spend Wisely: The Ultimate Travel Companion

 

For the ultimate freedom to explore these incredible routes, get a Wise Travel Card. One card holds multiple currencies, letting you pay effortlessly in NZD for fuel, snacks, and accommodation. It automatically converts your money at the mid-market rate, saving you from costly bank fees. Top up and manage your funds instantly via the app, making it the smart, secure, and simple way to travel. Spend like a local and focus on the scenery, not the small print. Get yours and travel with ease.

https://wise.com/invite/dic/roberts10486

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The Benefits of the Wise Travel Card: A Smart Choice for Global Travellers

The Benefits of the Wise Travel Card: A Smart Choice for Global Travellers

In an increasingly globalized world, managing money while travelling can be a challenge. Traditional bank cards often come with hidden fees, poor exchange rates, and limited flexibility when used abroad. That’s where the Wise Travel Card—formerly known as the TransferWise card—steps in to offer a smarter, more cost-effective solution for international travellers. With over 16 million users worldwide, Wise is revolutionizing how people spend, send, and receive money across borders.

Here are the key benefits of the Wise Travel Card and why it could be an essential companion for your next trip.

1. Real Exchange Rates with No Hidden Markups

One of the standout features of the Wise Travel Card is its use of the real mid-market exchange rate—the same rate you see on Google. Most banks and currency exchange services offer a marked-up rate to increase their profits, which can cost you extra every time you spend. Wise, however, charges only a small, transparent fee and passes on the actual exchange rate, ensuring you get more value for your money.

Whether you’re buying tapas in Spain or souvenirs in Japan, you can be confident you’re getting the fairest deal.

2. Hold and Spend in Multiple Currencies

The Wise Travel Card supports over 40 currencies, allowing you to hold balances and spend in the local currency without conversion fees. You can convert money ahead of your trip when the rates are favourable and spend like a local once you arrive.

For instance, if you’re travelling to the United States, you can convert British pounds to U.S. dollars before your trip and lock in the best rate. When you use your Wise card in the U.S., it deducts directly from your dollar balance—no surprise fees.

JOIN WISE HERE

3. Low ATM Withdrawal Fees

Wise gives you free ATM withdrawals of up to £200 (or equivalent) per month. After that, there’s a small fee, but it’s often lower than what traditional banks charge for foreign withdrawals. This makes it easy to access local cash without paying a premium.

Plus, because Wise uses the Visa or Mastercard network, your card is accepted in millions of locations worldwide.

4. No Monthly Fees or Minimum Balances

Unlike many travel cards and bank-issued alternatives, the Wise card doesn’t come with monthly maintenance fees or minimum balance requirements. You only pay for what you use, and all fees are clearly outlined upfront.

This makes it ideal not just for frequent flyers but also for occasional travellers who want a flexible, low-cost option for spending abroad.

JOIN WISE HERE

5. Secure and Easy to Manage

The Wise app allows you to freeze or unfreeze your card, view your spending in real time, and instantly convert currencies at the tap of a button. You can also receive push notifications every time your card is used, giving you full control and security on the go.

Additionally, you can get local bank details in multiple countries (e.g., UK, US, Eurozone, Australia), making it easier to receive payments from clients or employers abroad.

6. Perfect for Digital Nomads and Freelancers

For those who live or work remotely across countries, the Wise Travel Card offers unparalleled flexibility. Freelancers can get paid in multiple currencies without having to open foreign bank accounts. Digital nomads can manage their income and expenses from anywhere in the world with minimal hassle.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re a casual holidaymaker, a frequent business traveller, or a global freelancer, the Wise Travel Card is a powerful tool to help you save money, manage currencies, and stay in control of your finances abroad. Its transparent pricing, real exchange rates, and multi-currency capabilities make it one of the best travel cards on the market today.

Before your next trip, consider signing up for a Wise account and ordering your travel card—it could save you more than just money; it could save you from financial stress.

JOIN WISE HERE

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Don’t let a cashless payment be an inconvenience

Written by R. A. Stewart

It’s a sign of the times when more and more businesses do not accept cash. This means that if you are on holiday it is important to be able to pay for things with a card and that does not mean signing up with a credit card. In fact I am going credit card spending because not only do you have a debt to pay but you have interest to pay on top of that.

Most bank ATM cards will work in other countries but each withdrawal will be costly and if you are using this form of payment for small purchases at the checkout in another country, your bank fees will quickly add up as you will discover once you return home on your overseas trip.

Using a debit card is a handy option. These work in much the same way as a credit card but with one difference; you are using your own money. Once your balance is used up, that’s it, you cannot spend any more than what you have in that account. It is just a matter of topping it up. 

The Wise debit card is one which I have recently joined. This is a travel card which can be a useful addition to your payment options where cash is not accepted.

When you sign up you require an ID such as a passport or driver’s license. You also need to verify your address. This is done using a utility or a rates bill.

Ordering your card is simple. Just log into your wise account and order it from there. It costs $14.50 ($NZ). You will receive your card within two weeks. 

While the  wise debit card offers numerous benefits, it’s not without its limitations. Availability may be restricted in some regions, limiting its accessibility to a global audience. Additionally, ATM withdrawal limits and fees may vary depending on the user’s location and the currency being withdrawn. However, these limitations are relatively minor compared to the overall value proposition offered by the Wise Debit Card.

Note Wise was previously called Transferwise.

Join Wise Here

Wise may not be for everyone due to different personal circumstances, therefore discretion is advised. I may receive a small commission if you sign up for wise.

Www.robertastewart.com