Organising that currency
I love travelling. These days, most places are card-friendly, and digital payments are the norm. But there’s always that one market stall, taxi driver, or street vendor who only takes cash. So I withdraw some “just in case”… and inevitably, I come back to London with a wallet full of leftover coins and small notes.
Sure, some airports have donation bins, and I’ve dropped a fair few coins in those. But when I know I’ll be visiting again, I like to hang on to the currency. The question is: how do you store it so it doesn’t disappear into random drawers? (or gets mixed up with the one you use on a daily basis??)
One wallet per region
I started keeping a dedicated wallet for each region I travel to, reusing old wallets I had about in drawers, and others that were gifted to me. I now have one for Europe (mostly euros), one for Asia (a jumbled mix of yen, Hong Kong dollars, and Singaporean notes), and one for the US (mostly for work trips).
Now, when I return to a country, I’ve already got a little stash of local cash. Perfect for a snack on arrival or tipping someone at a restaurant without scrambling for change at the airport.
It’s a small habit, but it saves time, money, and stress… especially when you land tired and hungry!
In the end? It's about making travel smoother
This little system avoids last-minute currency exchange fees (check out this Investopedia article on best ways to save on currency exchanges), keeps your finances organised, and helps you feel more prepared the second you land.
Plus, it stops all those rogue coins from cluttering up your everyday wallet. It’s not just about tidiness, it’s a mindset shift. One more way to travel lightly and thoughtfully. 🌍✈️
A simple travel trick: one wallet per region for leftover currency. It keeps things tidy, saves money, and makes your next trip just that little bit smoother.
