Money honey!
Oh wow, today was my first pay day after starting last Monday and with it I was able to pay off two bills! It feels so good to be working again! I got home from work this afternoon and went straight to the computer to check the account. There it was, Olympia had paid me at noon today! Now I should see a pay slip at some point this week for it, probably Friday I am guessing. It feels wonderful to be useful, productive and actually contribute to the household again! I know that the government forced me to wait while they processed me but it didn’t make me feel any better. I work, I enjoy bringing in money and having a full and productive day. Maybe I am crazy but either way I am a happy camper!
And since we are on the subject of money there are a few things I should tell you my fellow American readers. If you ever plan to make a trip or permanent stay here in Holland or anywhere else in Europe there are a few things you need to know. I have to have a chat with my father next week on this very thing so when he comes he is prepared. First off, I did not see a pay check, Holland does not deal with checks anymore. Dutchie has been working for a little under 18 years now and she has never seen a pay check, it automatically goes into her account. She can also recall her father working and getting the money directly deposited in the account, no check seen in the house. Everything is done electronically here so you cannot come and expect to pay with a check; most wouldn’t have ever seen one to know what to do with it!
When it comes to shopping in Holland there are two things one must remember; one, there is a cash machine nearly everywhere you go and you can find them attached to walls, geldautomat. The other is this, not everywhere accepts credit cards! Pin cards, or bankcards, are used at grocery stores and a good chunk of regular stores, no credit cards allowed. There will be a sign in the window as to which credit card is accepted. Mostly your major department stores, restaurants, though not all, that sort of thing. Dutchie and I either pin or pull money for our grocery shopping. We bought my bike with a credit card; see where I am going with this?
When Dutchie went to America she thought she would be able to pin everywhere she went, just like here but as you know, not all places allow you to pin! There is definitely a difference in not only currency but also how money is used and handled between the two continents. Master Card and Visa are the most popular here in Holland, American Express and Discover I rarely see. You can of course bring travelers checks with you; Amsterdam has close to ten cash exchange places on the Damrak, right before the Dam square and that is just one street!
My point in all this is simple. If you travel, talk to people or research the country and how it shops. Find out if you use bank, cash or credit when shopping and where. Find out what credit card are popular and how easy is it to cash a travelers check. My advice is do this in advance to get all your finances in order before you leave. I have to have this conversation with my father and step mother so when they come they are prepared. I know my father likes his credit cards but I fear the ones he is comfortable with, we don’t use here, or at least frequently enough to see it around town.
Happy travels and happy spending!
travel, money, payday, travelers checks, credit cards, worldly chatter, euro, dollar
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