As the owner of a construction business in Mount Vernon, Robert Persico has worked with notable organizations in the New York City and State municipalities. Outside of managing his company PCI Industries, Corp., Robert Persico enjoys traveling.

Traveling provides many with a nice respite from the daily grind, but without proper planning, hassles can take away from the complete fun of the trip, especially money hassles.

The common problems many people face while on the trip relate to finding comparable financial institutions and dealing with exchange rates. While preparing for international travel, prospective travelers should research the host country to make sure credit/debit cards can be used at their institutions. Moreover, opt for using ATMs in the host country over exchanging money before leaving the US because (even with the fees) travelers might lose money. One way to reduce the ATM transaction fees is to use a travel rewards card that incurs no transaction fees. Finally, travelers should always carry a back-up card in case of problems.

Exchange rates can also be troublesome. First and foremost, research the exchange rate before leaving the country. Avoid losing value on money by opting for getting cash from the ATM and avoiding exchange centers, which usually charge a fee and might not provide full market value on the currency.

Before leaving US soil, travelers should consider checking in with their bank regarding travel plans. Banks are known to freeze accounts as a part of the fraud alert policies, especially if the cardholder is far from their year-round residence. Having to call the bank to lift the hold in the middle of a great adventure is not only inconvenient, but it is also a major hassle.

Finally, not all establishments will take credit/debit cards. For this reason, even credit/debit is more convenient, carrying a little cash is a safe way to avoid having to run to the ATM at the last minute. Plus, local cafes, parks, and stores do not always accept credit/debit cards.