Written by Astrid Finlay

For those of us with ill-fated mathematical abilities, the various currencies in Asia can be a dizzying blur to navigate. Stood at an ATM on a bustling corner of Hanoi, withdrawing fifty pounds unleashed a cascade of colourful cash, approximately 1.5 million Vietnamese Dong. Revelling in my newfound millionaire status, I began spending like one – rapidly discovering that one can go from riches to rags in a matter of hours. One hundred thousand Dong on a pair of earrings here – they’re only £3, bargain – a cocktail at two hundred thousand there – you’d pay five times that in London! – and before I knew it, with my tail between my legs I was back at the ATM – and so the cycle repeats.

Cash is king in Asia, and without the relentless accountability of Apple Pay notifications it can be easy to get swept away in the first flush of excitement in a new city – particularly with a currency that feels like monopoly money. To avoid that all-too-familiar wince when checking your bank account, here’s some tips to keep your spending under control.

1. A currency conversion app

I don’t think I went longer than five hours without using ‘Converter’ on my trip. Whilst you mathematicians out there will rejoice in your gift of mental numerical gymnastics, us mere mortals (all rise humanities students) rely on conversion apps like a lifeline. Seeing sums in your own currency keeps you in touch with numbers that make sense to you. Below is a link to the dearest companion made on my travels, Converter:

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/currency-converter-calculator/id1457309557

2. Daily tracking of each expenditure

An oldie, but goodie. You might forget the pound here, the two pounds there, but regrettably your budget does not. Keeping a tally of what you spend each day sheds some light on your spending and might just stop you from grabbing that extra ice-cream from seven-eleven.  

3. Do you need more clothes?

In a move greatly lacking in self-awareness, I had underestimated how many times I would want to dress up on my trip – the trusty backpacker ‘core’ fit of linen trousers and plain top simply doesn’t cut it on the rooftop of a classy bar. With market stalls lining every corner, I found my packing cubes rapidly filling up with a colourful selection of strappy numbers – must-haves at the time, of course.

I must concede that strutting along the beach in a turquoise crop top is the closest I’ve ever felt to growing a tail at the touch of water and diving into the sea, my attire perfectly matching my blissful, nomadic state of mind. However, not only does the cost of these shopping sprees accumulate, but these magical pieces will gather dust in your wardrobe back in frosty old England – unless, of course, you are attending an ‘Under The Sea’ themed party. Even on one of the five sunny days we get at home, wearing these pieces just doesn’t hit the same without that Asian sun. The same goes for jewellery – be honest, will your shell necklace be worn on the pebbled beaches of the UK?

Now, I’m not here to strip you of your mermaid, beach-babe fantasy—there’s certainly no harm in indulging in a few new pieces. The true beauty of travel, however, lies in the camaraderie of new friendships. The “if I wear your top, you can wear mine” exchanges became a comforting and bonding tradition. When I felt that all-too-familiar wave of impulse, I would ask myself ‘would I wear this at home?’ – save your pennies for the things that really matter. At the risk of paraphrasing your least favourite teacher, travelling is not a fashion show!

4. Don’t give in to ‘FOMO’

When solo-travelling, the best way to make friends is the ‘yes’ rule. Yes, I’ll join for a drink in the hostel bar. Yes, we can check out that museum tomorrow. Yes, I’ll go kayaking at the crack of dawn to watch the sunrise with you. I’ll let you in on a secret – I despise kayaking. I’d gladly pay extra to have someone row me whilst I lay back and soak in the sights. That didn’t stop me from agreeing to the muscle-mangling activity on multiple occasions, afraid of seeming unfriendly or missing out on prospective friendships.

However, spending over fifteen pounds on an activity you actively hate? It gets old, quickly. Remember – this is your trip; don’t miss out on things you want to do. Further down the line as your budget diminishes, you’ll find yourself cursing that godforsaken kayak trip.

I discovered that the ideal balance between self-fulfilment and fostering new friendships lay in arranging dinners or evening drinks, while reserving the days for solo adventures that allowed me to explore on my own terms. At first, venturing out alone can feel daunting, but once you are unshackled from the fear of looking “weird” or out of place, it becomes incredibly liberating.

5. You really do only live once

All these tips are in aid of the one thing your trip is all about – entirely immersing yourself in the indescribable euphoria of travel. Be sensible, but don’t scrimp – you will seldom get the opportunity again.

Trust your gut, and just do it. Forgive the eye-wateringly millennial cliché, but you never live the same moment twice. Don’t ruin it by over or underspending.

I hope these tips help you. If you have your own suggestions, don’t hesitate to let us know!