Thank you so much Sherry! I’m thrilled that you use my site and content as a resource to come back to.
And even more thrilled that you got the Scotiabank Passport Visa! (Thank you so much for using my link). I hope you love it as much as I do! 🙂

Hi Ryan,
Thanks for the intel!
There are a variety of countries (especially in Asia) that still require a signature even when they use the chip reader. I find it funny, since it usually means signing a receipt that says “no signature required”!

I don’t understand how you could possibly be charged interest on a non-existent credit card balance however…..assuming you have a $0 balance plus you overpay the amount you want to withdraw, the only charge I could imagine being possible is the withdrawal fee.
Which, thankfully, you’ve now managed to sort out with your Charles Schwab account. yay!

And don’t feel too bad about the pre-paid travel card. They’re not typically that great a deal anyway 😉

I have called my credit card companies about over-paying on my card in order to have an opportunity for a cash advance if needed. I was informed that even with a credit on the card, I would still be charged the same interest rate as any other cash advance. To solve this, I got a Charles Swab account. They reimburse all ATM fees at the end of each month.

Also, as an ex-pat, I had problems getting a pre-paid credit card even with superior credit ratings. Not living in the US or Canada sometimes has its drawbacks.

Yep! You’re absolutely right, Nora. Google now favours longer content. One of my clients is now asking me to write content that’s three times the length he used to want. Google says jump and everyone seems to ask how high.

Great article, by the way. I recently opened a Transferwise Borderless account because it appears to make things a lot cheaper with currency conversions. Every time you add a currency you get an account in a country that uses it. Then you just transfer between accounts. So far, I’m impressed, but I haven’t had it long enough to evaluate all the pros and cons.

Thank you, Dane!

Hey Mitch,
Great strategy in limiting your debit card balance!
But beware of changing money in Bali – Bali is renowned for their currency exchange scams. Kuta in particular was a complete horror show for me (which of course made a funny – and cautionary – tale): https://www.theprofessionalhobo.com/visiting-kuta-bali/