More Money More Problems
Today was bank day. Ask our questions about fees and activity requirements, international transaction fees, and closing accounts. We decided to keep our individual checking accounts and credit cards. Savings and joint checking aren't worth the money we'd have to keep in there to avoid monthly fees, so we closed them and cashed out.
Next was ordering foreign currency. Of course, we used to be able to buy currency and receive it the day of, but COVID complicated that as well. The teller informed us that since the pandemic, the banks have pulled foreign currency from the branches rather than have it sit there. No one is traveling, except us crazies. It may take 2 days to order from California, and we leave in 5 days (including a weekend), cutting it close yet again.
We decided to convert a little over $10K, in order to get an even number of pounds (no pence), so it came to $10,819.66. That will give us £7510. The interesting thing is, we have to declare that cash when we travel. I knew we needed to declare anything over $10K, but for some reason in mind I was thinking we didn't have that much. The teller said whatever cash currency we have, if it equals over 10K in USD, we have to declare it. If we enter the country with any unclaimed money, the government has the right to seize it, so we will be sure to do that.
Update: the money arrived the next day. And it's plastic! So cool. American money is 75% cotton and 25% linen, which comes out to a paper-like cloth. Cloth that rarely gets washed. Do you know how gross money can get? This plastic money looks like it will stay cleaner and it's a lot more compact when it's in a bundle.
Next was ordering foreign currency. Of course, we used to be able to buy currency and receive it the day of, but COVID complicated that as well. The teller informed us that since the pandemic, the banks have pulled foreign currency from the branches rather than have it sit there. No one is traveling, except us crazies. It may take 2 days to order from California, and we leave in 5 days (including a weekend), cutting it close yet again.
We decided to convert a little over $10K, in order to get an even number of pounds (no pence), so it came to $10,819.66. That will give us £7510. The interesting thing is, we have to declare that cash when we travel. I knew we needed to declare anything over $10K, but for some reason in mind I was thinking we didn't have that much. The teller said whatever cash currency we have, if it equals over 10K in USD, we have to declare it. If we enter the country with any unclaimed money, the government has the right to seize it, so we will be sure to do that.
Update: the money arrived the next day. And it's plastic! So cool. American money is 75% cotton and 25% linen, which comes out to a paper-like cloth. Cloth that rarely gets washed. Do you know how gross money can get? This plastic money looks like it will stay cleaner and it's a lot more compact when it's in a bundle.
