Currency exchange while traveling: why do some still carry wads of cash? (page 21 of 28)

Good evening

"Money has no smell 🙂"

I’ve heard this phrase originated from Emperor Vespasian, in response to criticism about his initiative to charge for access to public toilets—toilets that still bore his name in France for a long time.

Definition: "A *vespasienne* is a public urinal for men, placed on sidewalks or in public areas like parks."

Eric

hi Eric, thanks for the clarification

Hi there,

I didn’t bother looking for cards with no withdrawal fees; they all charge around 2% for payments and the same for withdrawals outside the eurozone. I’m fine with that.

What kind of cards do you have? With what benefits, at least international withdrawals?

Michel

We all agree you’re paying to access your own money, right? 😄

We all agree you pay to get your own money back 😄

Hi, I’m not sure I understand this statement. Yeah, it’s clear we pay to get money—unless you steal it from someone 😉

He probably meant that bank fees are a rip-off 😏

We all agree that you pay to get your own money, right? 😅

Hi, I’m not sure I understand this statement. Yes, it’s true you pay to get money unless you steal it from someone 😉

Hey, you’re right that you didn’t get it—though it’s simple You pay to access the money in your account (your own money) outside your bank’s ATM network in France because even with a card that has no withdrawal or payment fees, you still pay fees inherent to foreign ATMs (whereas it’s free at the counter). And as mentioned here and there, with cash, you often get discounts you’d never get with a card. After that, if you’re like Attila and don’t exactly say which card you have with Fortuneo, we won’t know what you’re paying to get your money drop by drop, as is often the case with online banks.

He probably meant that bank fees are a scam 🤪

(Manon is a masculine name? Really? 🤪) At least you realized we pay just to access our own money 😂

He probably meant that bank fees are a scam 🤑

(Manon is a masculine name? Oh really ) At least you understood that we pay just to access our own money 😂

Oops!

As soon as you put money in the bank, it’s not really yours anymore...

He probably meant that bank fees are a rip-off 🤑

(Manon is a masculine name? Really? 🤪) At least you understood that we pay just to access our own money 😂

Oops!

As soon as you put money in the bank, it’s not really yours anymore...

Why wouldn’t it still be yours? After all, you can withdraw it all anytime as long as you request it in advance if it’s a large sum.

It’s yours, but you can’t necessarily do what you want with it, so...

It’s yours, but you can’t necessarily do whatever you want with it, so yeah

Again, why wouldn’t you be able to do what you want with your own money? Sure, in France—unless you’re making under-the-table purchases—you can’t exceed a certain amount when paying in cash, but you can always withdraw everything from your account at any time in cash. If the amount is significant, you just have to state what you plan to do with it on the questionnaire (personally, I always answer: "living without paying with my bank card"), and the bank shuts up. 😏 I remember not too long ago when I used to withdraw 20,000 € every week in 200 € bills to keep it flat. 😏 After several withdrawals, the bank teller counting the stacks with me in a private office said: "Aren’t you afraid to walk around with all that cash?" My answer left her stunned, I think. "Ma’am, if something happens to me, I’ll turn to you because as of today, you’re the only person who knows about it." 😄

Once again, why couldn’t you do what you want with your money?

Let’s not get too heated... Mirandamouse meant that the money you deposit in your current account doesn’t *really* belong to you because the bank puts it to work—meaning it passes through other hands. What’s a bank’s business? Managing deposit accounts for individuals and businesses, granting loans, and so on... So money circulates within the financial system. That said, if you want to withdraw 100 € as long as your account isn’t overdrawn, well, you can withdraw 100 € however you like.

I remember not so long ago when I used to withdraw 20,000 € every week in 200 € bills to keep it flat

What were you doing with that much cash on you? Heading straight to the casino to blow it all? 😛

Once again, why couldn't you do what you want with your money?

Don’t get so worked up... Mirandamouse meant that the money you deposit in your current account doesn’t really belong to you because the bank puts it to work—meaning it passes through other hands. What’s a bank’s business? Managing deposit accounts for individuals and businesses, granting loans, etc... So money circulates within the financial system. That said, if you want to withdraw 100 euros, as long as your account isn’t overdrawn, you can withdraw 100 euros however you like.

I know the internet distorts everything for people who already distort everything themselves 🤪 But saying I’m overreacting when all I’m doing is asking the same question for the 10th time and getting answers that miss the point entirely 🤪 And otherwise, banks putting your money to work is their job, but it still belongs to you since you can take it all back (though it’s tough explaining this to people who don’t quite get it) 😄

it’s a bit hard to explain to people who don’t really get it anyway 😅

Hey, let’s not assume everyone on this forum is clueless, okay? Otherwise, I’ll have to report this to the mods.

It’s a bit tough explaining to people who don’t understand much anyway 😅

Hey, let’s not take the members of this forum for idiots either, or I’ll have to report this to the mods.

I’ll gladly copy that one 😏 And otherwise, before you report me (why, who knows?), since I do respect this forum’s rules and even provide some explanations about how banks work) I invite you to reread your previous messages—maybe then you’ll understand why I said you didn’t get much 🤪 Cheers!!!

And otherwise, before reporting me (why?? who knows), since I respect this forum's charter and even provide explanations about how banks work)

For one thing, I didn’t use "tu" with you, and for another, all you do is insult other people on this forum.

bank fees are a scam

Banks are like anything else.

You’ve got to shop around and play the competition.

It’s totally possible to pay nothing for basic services—just like we’ve said over and over in this thread.

Some influencers are way bigger scammers than bankers with their shady investment advice.

Scammers too.

You can also throw in some travel-world players—agencies and Instagrammers alike.

But some people are just looking for a scam. The wake-up call is rough...

Anyway, I think the word "scam" gets thrown around way too much, especially in France where no one ever wants to pay for anything.

And otherwise, before reporting me (why?? who knows), since I respect this forum's charter and even provide some explanations about how banks work)

First, I didn’t use *tu* with you, and second, all you do is insult other people on this forum.

Please copy-paste any visible insult I’ve made on this forum, except for regional terms that might not be understood by people from other areas (mine being the Sooooouth ). I simply replied that you didn’t understand much because you wrote earlier that you didn’t get it (read your own post)—is that an insult or just an observation?? Then, nothing new when someone lacks arguments but threatens to report to the mods. And as usual, the whole *tu* vs. *vous* thing (even though using *tu* is the basic rule in forums for a friendlier vibe). Please accept my apologies for being a bit too familiar by using *tu* with you. Whether you forgive me or not, just know it won’t happen again. Best regards

After that, if you want to withdraw 100 euros as long as your account isn’t overdrawn, well, you can withdraw 100 euros just as you please.

Yes.

Problems arise with much larger amounts.

However, not being able to make large transfers or big withdrawals instantly doesn’t just have downsides—it also helps prevent scams to some extent.

bank fees are a scam

Banks are like everything else.

You’ve got to shop around and play the competition.

It’s totally possible to pay nothing for basic services, as mentioned over and over again in this thread.

Some influencers are way bigger scammers than bankers with their dishonest investment advice.

Scammers too.

You can also throw in some travel-world players—agencies and Instagrammers alike.

After that, some people are just looking for a scam. The wake-up call is rough...

Anyway, I think the word "scam" is overused, especially in France where no one ever wants to pay for anything.

Hi Attila, how’s your kitty of the same name doing? As you recommended, I went through 21 pages—what a job! 😏—looking for your messages where you hint at the bank card you use with Fortunéo without actually naming it (which forces me to check the general and specific terms for each card) to see what users really pay. Since you only mentioned that 20 € in fees weren’t an issue for you without saying how often you’re charged those 20 €, I’m trying to figure out if this online bank is worth it before checking user reviews. Take care!