Financial Prep for Vacation: Budgeting, Safety, and Smart Spending

Summer is here, and that often means travel, relaxation, and a much-needed break from everyday routines. But just like you wouldn’t leave home without sunscreen, preparing your finances before a trip can help avoid sunburns of a different kind—unexpected costs, fraud risks, and money mishaps.

Here are a few smart steps to help keep your trip stress-free and your wallet protected.

Set a Travel Budget Before You Pack

Planning a vacation budget ahead of time can help you enjoy your trip without the guilt later. Be sure to include more than just hotel and gas—think meals, activities, tips, souvenirs, and even parking fees. A little upfront math can go a long way toward peace of mind.

💡 Pro Tip: Use a daily spending cap to stay on track, and consider a small buffer for emergencies or surprises.

Mobile Wallets: Backup in Your Back Pocket

Forget your wallet at home? It happens. But if you’ve added your card to a mobile wallet (like Apple Pay, Google Wallet, or Samsung Wallet), you can still pay securely with your phone. Mobile wallets are not only convenient—they’re also more secure than swiping a physical card.

Many stores, restaurants, and even gas stations accept contactless payments, making them a smart addition to your financial travel toolkit.

Lost Card? Digital Issuance Can Save the Day

Losing your card while out of town doesn’t have to ruin your plans. At CSE, we offer digital issuance, a service that allows us to instantly issue you a temporary digital card if your card is lost or stolen. You can add this digital card to your phone’s wallet and start using it right away—no need to wait for your new physical card to arrive in the mail.

All it takes is a quick phone call to get back on track.

Shared Branching: Access Your Account Nationwide

CSE, as well as thousands of other credit unions, is part of the Shared Branching network—a partnership of over 5,000 credit unions across the country that let you access your account as if you were at home.

With Shared Branching, you can:

• Make withdrawals
• Deposit checks
• Transfer money
• Make payments

You can walk into any participating branch and do it. It's one more way your Membership travels with you.

And if you’re looking for cash, you’ll also have access to nearly 30,000 surcharge-free ATMs nationwide through our ATM network partners. Just use the ATM locator on our website or mobile app to find one nearby.

Stay Alert and Secure

Here are few more quick tips to keep your money safe:

Travel notifications:

If you're planning to use your debit or credit card outside of your usual area, it’s smart to let your financial institution know in advance. When you set a travel notice, it helps prevent your card from being flagged—or even temporarily frozen—for suspicious activity. This is especially important if you're traveling internationally or making large purchases. To notify us of your travel, give us a call at 337.477.2000 or use the CSE MOBiLE app.

Enable transaction alerts:

Most card services allow you to set up real-time alerts via text, email, or app notification. These alerts let you know the moment a purchase is made, which is great for tracking spending—and even better for catching fraud early.

Use a credit card when you can:

While debit cards are convenient, credit cards often provide added protection during travel. If someone gets your card number and makes unauthorized purchases, credit card charges are generally easier to dispute—and don’t impact the funds in your checking account.

Final Thoughts

Travel should be fun—not financially frustrating. With a little planning and a few digital tools in your pocket, you can enjoy your summer adventures with confidence.

CSE Members have access to Shared Branching, digital card services, and other tools designed to keep you connected and in control, no matter where your journey takes you.