Money
Your bank is the thing most likely to quietly cost you money abroad. Foreign transaction fees and ATM fees add up fast. This is the setup I use to avoid both.
Cards
Capital One Venture X
My main travel card. The yearly travel credit and the points pay for most of my flights and a good chunk of my stays. No foreign transaction fees.
75,000 bonus miles after $4,000 spend in 3 months
Capital One Savor
My other everyday card, for food and groceries. Between the two, every regular purchase earns something.
$200 bonus after $500 spend in 3 months
Banking
Schwab Investor Checking
Refunds ATM fees worldwide. This is how I pull cash abroad without paying for it.
Brokerage bonus with a qualifying deposit
Wise
A multi-currency account and debit card. Hold euros, lek or baht and pay the real exchange rate.
First transfer fee-free
Capital One 360 Checking
My everyday US checking account. No monthly fees and no minimums.
No fees, no minimums
360 Performance Savings
Where my savings sit and earn interest. No fees, no minimum balance.
Earns interest on every dollar
These are my personal referral links. If you sign up through one, I may get a bonus too, and it never costs you anything extra. Offers are set by each company and were current as of October 2026, so check the terms on their page before you apply. Not financial advice. Details on the Disclaimer page.
Money stories
Real budgets, real numbers, and what a year abroad actually costs.
The monthly letter. One honest email on the 1st, plus a free field guide.