Enjoy Your Summer Travel: Here are Ridgewood’s 8 Tips for a Stress-Free Vacation

July 18, 2024

Summer is a great time to plan your next adventure. According to CNN, Americans are taking to the skies and hitting the roads in record numbers this summer, and many plan to spend more on travel too. Whether you are traveling abroad or staying closer to home, you’ll need to remain vigilant about managing and protecting your identity and finances. We’ve prepared this informal checklist as a guide to help you keep track of your finances safely and securely for an enjoyable, stress-free vacation:

1. Plan ahead.

Transportation, hotel accommodations, meals, entertainment, gifts, entrance fees, tolls, tips, mementos – they all add up. So, it’s a good idea to figure out a budget before you leave home so you can better manage your spending once you’re on the road. Our Money Management (MX) gives you the tools to create a budget and track spending. It’s free and available to all Ridgewood Mobile and Online Banking customers.

2. Scan and keep a spare copy.

Scan and keep a spare copy somewhere safe (an online storage platform, for example) of your passport, ID cards, licenses, birth certificate, and credit cards. In case of a problem, you will have an easier time retrieving valuable information if you do.

3. Get foreign currency before you go.

Even though you will probably use your credit or debit cards much of the time when you are traveling abroad, you may still need a small amount of local currency for practical use. So, it is best to get foreign currency in advance. Currency exchange services are available at any Ridgewood branch. Ridgewood has more than 80 world currencies available.

4. Notify us.

If you plan to travel for an extended period of time, chances are your spending patterns will change. As Ridgewood wants to help ensure the safety and security of your funds, let us know in advance. You can easily set up balance alerts or transaction notifications using Ridgewood’s free Mobile and Online Banking apps. Should you misplace or lose your card while away, those notifications can instantly alert you and us of suspicious transactions or possible fraud.

5. Think digital!

There’s no need to travel with a lot of cash. In fact, it’s better if you don’t. You can bank anytime, anywhere with Ridgewood’s comprehensive suite of digital banking tools that will help ensure you are managing your finances safely and securely, wherever and whenever it suits you.

6. Know when you use your credit or debit card.

Generally speaking, when you use your credit card rather than your debit card, if your wallet is stolen, it could potentially be less of a hassle to deal with fraudulent charges. That said, if you need to withdraw cash, use your debit card at a reputable bank or co-op ATM. Ridgewood Debit Mastercard® allows you to access 90,000+ surcharge-free ATMs (Allpoint and MoneyPass) worldwide.

7. Consider using mobile payment apps.

If you need to send, request, or receive money, Zelle® is a fast, safe and easy way to do that by using Ridgewood Savings Bank’s mobile banking app or online banking. Funds are sent directly to the recipient’s account, and all you need is the recipient’s email address or U.S. mobile phone number.

8. Report a lost or stolen credit card.

Report a lost or stolen credit card immediately by calling (855) 401-4743, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. To report a lost or stolen Ridgewood ATM Card OR Ridgewood Debit MasterCard®: Immediately call (800) 472-3272, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

We at Ridgewood Savings Bank wish you a Bon Voyage and safe travels. Remember, we are here if and when you need us!

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