Post by Ella
We always get some cash from an ATM on arriving in a new country. On this trip, we needn’t have. So far, no cash required anywhere. In fact, payment by card (digital or physical) is preferred and in some places, required. And if you use a physical card, it is always just a tap. No inserting or swiping.
Of course, if you want to leave a tip in a restaurant, cash, for the tip only, is preferred. Then it’s problematic. It’s hard to accumulate small bills and change for tipping when you never use cash. Because, as you all know, ATMs dispense larger bills only.
One solution is to go get ice cream at a place that will take cash. You can break a larger bill and have a treat. Two birds…
Today’s exchange rates
Netherlands Euros. $1.00 = €0.91
Denmark DKK, Danish kroner, $1.00 = DKK 6.78
Sweden SEK, Swedish krona, $1.00 = SEK 10.17
Norway NOK, Norwegian krone $1.00 = NOK 10.52
Update…It was pointed out that I got the $ to € conversion backwards. Above is corrected amount.
Kind of a retro-future mix. You are traveling in Europe and you had four countries and four different currencies. But it doesn’t matter because you never need to use currency.
Right. Odd that. The only thing that really matters is the conversion rate.
PS you got the Euro exchange rate backwards. Doesn’t really affect the story.
Oops, I sure did. Today, one US dollar will buy you €0.91.
Unless you foolishly choose to let the local bank do the euro to dollar conversion when you use a cash machine. We got some cash today to take home so we have some for the next trip. They were offering €0.86 for $1. I declined their kind offer and let my bank do the conversion.
Yikes. That’s even worse. I’ve got a pile of Euros I would have sold you at a better rate ;).