No matter how good you are at keeping a digital travel budget when it comes to cash, most of us tend to get stuck with small amounts of currency when a trip ends. Below a certain amount traditional exchange isn’t possible or worth the fees but travel often enough and all of that leftover money adds up. In fact Visa Europe estimates there’s 1.42 billion US dollars worth of unused foreign currency in the United Kingdom alone.
Fortunately, there’s a lot you can do with those Tunisian millim to turn it back into your local currency or put it to other good use.
It’s Easier The Further You Are From Home
Exchanging very small amounts of a foreign currency becomes much more difficult when you leave that country. So, before you leave the hotel or hostel you’re staying in, try to have them convert what money you have leftover into one of the major world currencies (i.e. USD, Euro, British Pound) they’re likely to have on hand. Although you might only have 2 Euro after such an exchange, if you travel frequently that can add up to an amount that makes sense converting at a later time.
Donate At The Airport
Many airports have donation boxes supporting a number of worthy causes, accepting all kinds (and amounts) of currency. Since these organizations are collecting lots of money they typically won’t have issues exchanging it – so don’t think any amount is too little.
In the case you’re not flying, before you leave the country ask your local host or hostel if they know of any good local charities. Some might be a close walk by where you can give back the change you have. Although these are small amounts we’re talking about, donating is much more useful than keeping coins in the bottom of your suitcase.
Use Your Change For Good
Since it was established in 1987, UNICEF’s Change For Good program, where you can donate change directly on partner airlines, has raised over $130 million dollars.
A number of other airlines have similar programs, including the first such one, Virgin Atlantic’s Change For Children (raised $3.46 million so far) and British Airways’ Flying Start which has collected $11 million from travelers since 2010.
The Change You Have At Home
For all the change stuck in your closet or you forgot to convert or donate before you got back home there are still some options. The first is to mail it to one of the major change collection programs listed above.
The address for UNICEF’s Change For Good program is:
U.S. Fund for UNICEF
ATTN: Change for Good Program
125 Maiden Lane
New York, NY 10038
In case you’re not nearby for that address, contact one of your favorite local charities who may be able to accept the leftover notes and change you’ve got.
Whenever mailing cash however keep in mind you should be using some kind of registered mail service to ensure your money arrives in the envelope you send.
Finally, if you’re absolutely lost with what to do, get in touch with your local elementary school. Your impressive international coin collection might make for an interesting school project or there might be kids (or parents!) who collect worldwide currencies.