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Seven things to do with your unused foreign currency
Despite only taking out as much as money from the ATM as you thought you'd need each day, you somehow managed to come in under budget. Now what do you do with this extra foreign currency you've got burning a hole through your picket? You could convert it back to your home currency, getting hit with exchange fees again, or you could try one of these seven options.
Save it for next time.
Sell it to another traveler.
If you know of another traveler heading to the destination soon, you can offer to sell them your leftover currency. Offer then a rate that is lower than what they pay at the bank or once they arrive in country, but higher than what you would make selling the currency back for dollars. In this way, you both win.
Donate it. You were going to spend it anyways right? Why not give it to a worthy cause? At a few airports, I have seen donation boxes out near the security line. Throw your spare change in here and you may help improve life for someone in that country. You could also convert it and donate the changed bills to a charity at home.
Display it.
I'm fascinated by foreign currency. I always keep one or two of the most interesting or colorful bills and coins from every country I visit. I keep them in a glass jar on my mantel, as both a unique decoration and a subtle reminder of the places I have been.
Spend it on airport souvenirs. ...
After arriving at the airport and realizing that (after we took out the money we wanted to keep and take home to display) we still had close to 100 South African Rand (a little more than $10) my husband and I decided to blow it on souvenirs. Since we had some time to kill, we each took 50 Rand and set out to spend as much of the money as we could on last-minute airport souvenir tchotchkes. We had a fun time and came away with a few silly mementos of our trip that we otherwise would not have bought.
Or be a big spender at the airport
I hate spending money at the airport. After spending money throughout my trip, I hate the idea of dumping more money right before I head home. But, when I have some leftover currency to get rid of, it doesn't seem as annoying. Use the opportunity to get rid of the cash in style. Treat yourself to a a few glasses of quality wine at the airport bar, opt for the more expensive entree, or spring for one of the massages offered in your terminal. It doesn't make sense to be wasteful of course, but sometimes it is fun to enjoy the little extras that you normally wouldn't.
Add it to your travel fund.
If you do plan on changing the money back into your home currency, don't just use the money for groceries or bus fare. Put into a special fund earmarked for travel and contribute to it every time you come home from a trip. After a few trips, you may not have enough to cover a plane ticket, but you might have amassed enough cash to cover a few splurges on your next trip.
Filed under: Budget Travel
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
derivativemandan Jan 13th 2010 1:07PM
How about giving it to a friend? After my wife and I were in Romania for our honeymoon, we had some lei leftover. Some friends were planning on going to Romania after their wedding, so our currency made a perfect wedding gift.
Grouchy Jan 13th 2010 2:39PM
Several airlines give you also the possibility to donate money as passenger onboard. Most of the time by giving an enveloppe to the Steward(ess)/F.A./Purser. Remember Air China and also for instance Iceslaveair that give passengers the chance to donate money to a special childern fund onboard. In some cases it's an easy way to get rid of your foreign money and doing something nice with it.
Sean McLachlan Jan 13th 2010 3:49PM
"Display It"
British pubs like to display foreign currency behind the bar. I plan to bring some Ethiopian birr back to grace the walls of The Fir Tree and The White Horse in Oxford.
james Jan 15th 2010 3:34PM
Small amounts of left over currency is my main souvenir. Beyond that I give it to worthy workers as tips as I leave.