Planning on heading out into the wild, blue yonder with a bunch of friends soon? Carry these fail-safes to keep your road trip from tumbling down a financial pothole!
Regardless of whether you’ve spent the last few weeks at work nose-deep in paperwork or furiously typing gibberish on your laptop every time your manager walks by, nothing can beat getting away from the rat race by heading out on a road trip with a bunch of friends.
Since India has a ton of scenic locations you can drive to no matter which city or town you hail from, you certainly won’t have to rack your brains too hard to decide where to go. If you’re feeling adventurous, just stick a map on your wall, chuck a dart at it and head to wherever it lands. Just be sure to pack your scuba gear if it’s the Indian Ocean.
While going on a road trip certainly sounds ultra-exciting, it’s fair to say that travelling without any financial backup is a bit of a risk. After all, you never know what might happen. Your car could break down, one of you may fall seriously ill, or you could all get mauled by bears. You just never know.
Additional Reading: Tips To Travel For A Family Of Four
In any case, here are a few fail-safes that you need to carry with you just in case you find yourselves in a bit of a financial pickle:
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Cash
Yes, cash! In this age of paperless this and digital that, it’s easy to forget what cash even looks like. Yep, they’re those colourful pieces of paper that, in recent times, look like they’ve fallen out of a Monopoly box.
Carrying cash with you on your travels is an absolute must since you never know when it may come in handy. Keeping cash in different places, like your pockets, your bags, inside your socks, or whatever orifice you can stuff it in, can definitely come in handy in case you happen to lose your wallet or your cards.
Also, it will certainly come in handy when you need to make really small purchases at tiny roadside shops. And since we’re talking of tiny roadside shops, make sure you carry notes of lower denominations. Not everyone will be impressed with you flashing a Rs. 2,000 note to buy a Rs. 20 bar of soap.
Additional Reading: 7 Places You Should Never Keep Your Emergency Cash
Credit Cards can be an absolute godsend, especially if you suddenly run short of cash or if you need to take care of an unexpected medical emergency that could cost you a sizeable chunk of change.
However, there’s no point carrying your Credit Card if it’s already maxed out. Make sure you pay off any outstanding dues (or at least a fair amount) to free up the credit limit on your card. You could even make your hotel bookings with your Credit Card and maybe take advantage of discounts or offers instead of paying by cash.
In fact, with a Fuel Credit Card, you can even save a substantial amount on fuel expenses, which should work wonders especially if you’re planning a budget road trip.
Additional Reading: 5 Good Credit Card Habits To Acquire In The New Year
While it’s always a good idea to carry hard cash with you on your travels, don’t forget your Debit Card as well since you never know when you’ll need to withdraw extra funds. While Credit Cards are accepted at most major cities and towns in India, some of the more remote places probably don’t.
However, an ATM is usually never too far away, so you can certainly bank on getting your hands on some cash should the need arise. Just ensure that you have enough money in your account before you pack your bags and head out into the sunset.
Additional Reading: 4 Ways To Protect Your Debit Card From Cyber Crooks
Let’s face it. You may be Schumacher incarnate, but even he’s had his fair share of accidents. Even the most careful drivers can fall victim to someone else’s carelessness, and you certainly don’t want to be one of them.
Not only is Car Insurance mandatory, but it is also mandatory that you carry your insurance papers with you along with your registration documents and license. Failure to do so could land you in a soup should you chance upon a gang of friendly cops.
Car Insurance acts as a financial safety net in case you and your vehicle meet with an accident. Not only does it cover the cost of damages to your car, it also offers hospitalisation cover and even compensation to the policyholder’s family in case of an accidental death.
So, remember to stash these documents in your glove compartment if you haven’t done so already.
Additional Reading: A Guide To Car Insurance: Here’s What You Should Know
Once you make a note of these things you’re all set to get on the road and feel the wind in your hair. Have a good trip and drive safe!
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