Hello!

My 11yo is going to Singapore with her grandma. What’s the best option for her to have spending money? Any particular card etc that you recommend?


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  • Set a Budget: Before the trip, decide how much money she should have for spending and monitor her usage regularly to ensure it’s not too much or too little.
    Security: Be sure she knows how to keep the card and any cash safe (e.g., never sharing PIN codes, keeping money in a secure place, etc.).
    Ultimately, a prepaid travel card is probably the best balance of convenience, security, and flexibility for your child while traveling abroad.


  • I have always found I prefer to use local currency. Maybe take some cash over and get exchanged? There are usually plenty of places to be found on the street. Other than that, when we went we didn’t use any different, special card, just our usual credit card. You do need to let the bank know so they don’t freeze your card though. Mastercard even have special deals in some places like the waterpark on Sentosa Island where you will get a discount for using it.


  • Perhaps a Wise card with some local currency loaded onto it for when cash is not accepted. And some cash that grandma can hold on to for her.


  • The more I think about it the more I think that the danger with a credit/debit or any bank card is that you overseppend. You could allow her to get for example a daily an x amount of cash out what she can use


  • Consider giving some money to her grandma as well as more direct methods with your child then there is always a back up amount should anything go wrong like her card being lost. I think at her age, it’s a good chance to learn how to use currency and a different countries as well. I hope she has the best time!


  • Firstly, that’s amazing! Singapore is fantastic and I’m sure she will have a wonderful time. What a fantastic experience for her. As for money, at 11 I would be giving her a small amount of cash and giving anything else to her grandmother to handle/use as needed.


  • Mastercard and Visa are generally pretty widely accepted. Of course, if you are wanting to get a taxi or visit the markets, etc. you need cash. But most things you can use a card for.


  • I found the commonwealth bank money card widely accepted, easy to use, and easy to reload when I needed to.


  • I think 11 is a bit young to be trusted with unlimited cash. Let grandma have control


  • I’d say grandma is in charge here. Give her a card or some cash. Or sort it out afterwards.


  • How wonderful for your daughter. I’ve found the Qantas travel card to be good. The exchange rate isn’t fantastic but the service has been good, especially if something went wrong when OS


  • I’d be giving her Cash and putting Grandma in charge of safe keeping the bulk of it. Topping up the child’s purse each day. Spending up to the child.


  • Both bankcard and cash.
    How much expoerience has the child has with bank cards ? Given the age of the child I would probably give her a limited amount of money – cash – to spend and have the grandmother overseeing the rest / bank card and hand out more when needed.


  • We have always gone with a combination of card and cash with sensible amounts for spending.


  • Just check with your bank, most these days have free fees over seas. iNG does


  • Your bank might have the option to have a foreign cash card preloaded with funds. I usually get the ones purchased at the post office. Having some cash exchanged already is a good idea, too. Keep an eye out for a good rate.
    She is going to love Singapore. Such a wonderful place to visit.


  • i would personally give some extra money to grandma for her to buy as this is too young to spend in overseas county. and Singapore is pretty expensive than Australia. So it is best to avoid giving big amount


  • I agree with finding an age appropriate means of spending money overseas and that also avoids fees. A bank can provide good advice.


  • I would get a few dollars changed over in the currency that Singapore uses and then asked the Grandmother to manage the remaining money. Your child is probably a bit too young to have too much money while travelling overseas. I would be very conscious about giving a child too much money.


  • I’d speak to the bank and see what they recommend for that age. Alternatively maybe give the money to the grandmother to use for her as needed?


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