North Davis Preparatory Academy

Euros, Credit Cards, & Cash

Euros: You will be able to use your credit card just about everywhere, except maybe the kiosks or venders on the street. 90% of all institutions accept credit/debit cards. Having a few euros on you at all times and can be helpful for grabbing a water, coke, or ice cream. Keep your “on hand” money in an easy to get to spot and your credit cards and/or other cash in another more secure location (like a money belt worn around your waist or deeper down in your purse/backpack).

Please note the following information was intended for adults. Info provided by James Blick. Check out his YouTube channel.

First, here are five things you need to know:

Spain is no longer the "cash economy" it once was. Pre-pandemic, card payments were becoming widely accepted in more and more places in Spain. And the pandemic has accelerated that trend. In short, I rarely use cash in Spain now. Contactless payments are available in most places (I rarely take out my card, and pay for everything with my iPhone).

But do carry a little bit of cash. Plan to carry cash for those occasional bars and shops that don't accept cards, as well as for tipping. But there is no need to carry a lot of cash anymore. Even in small towns, cards and contactless payments are usually accepted. But be aware, some places still do have a minimum purchase in order to pay with card (usually around €10 or so).Tipping is not obligatory. But many people do leave a small tip for drinks or a meal if the service was good. It's not a percentage, but just a bit of change on top of the bill. So, if I pay €50 for lunch, I'll probably leave a euro or two. So carry a little bit of cash for tipping, even when paying the actual bill by card. Sometimes you can round up the bill when you pay by card to include the tip, but it's not common.

Beware of ATM "scams". Stick to ATMs that are operated by legitimate Spanish banks (they'll usually be attached to branches). Other brand ATMs exist, but often charge high fees. Euronet is one to avoid. You'll find these machines at the airport and around tourist hot spots.

You don't need cash for transport. For public transport, you can buy tickets in advance using a card. Contactless payment for bus and metro is available in some areas, but not common. For catching taxis, you can open an account with the app Free Now, and Uber also works. There is no Lyft. Even if you just hail a cab, you'll be able to pay by card at the end of the ride.

How to prepare your money plan for SpainYou need to prepare a money plan before you travel to Spain (or anywhere) so you don't get caught out paying crazy fees to make payments or withdraw cash in destination.So here are my tips for preparing your money plan.

Remember, you don't need a lot of cash to travel in Spain. So there's no point in exchanging a bunch of cash before you travel or at the airport. Ideally you're paying for services with card or contactless where possible. It's more secure and convenient. Plus you can track your spending.If you use your bank credit or debit card in these destinations you may get a bad exchange rate or pay silly commissions.Check if your bank offers a credit or debit card that offers good exchange rates and zero commission for payments or cash withdrawals overseas. Charles Schwab is popular with US travelers. And I've heard Starling is good in the UK.If your bank doesn't offer "fee free" payments and withdrawals overseas, open a free Wise account. Then simply use your Wise debit card to make payments and, if necessary, withdraw cash when you're in Spain. This is exactly what we did in New York and it worked great. More about this below.

Packing List

Find the packing list for Spain Study Abroad here.

Fundraising Ideas

Need a little more help getting your Spain money together? Here are some ideas for earning and raising money to help you with your trip. It will be here before you know it!

Labor for Hire

Sell Goods

Make and sell salsa (buy ingredients or grow yourself)
Flea Market Sales - baked goods, junk/antiques, snacks
Bake sale
Farmers Market - sell fruit/vegetables from garden
Snack Sales at sport events (more successful if people know what the fundraiser is for)
Jimmy’s Flowers
Wasatch Savings Book
Fatboys
Cookie Dough
Marie Calendar Pies
Candle Fundraiser
Welch’s Fruit Snacks
Beef Jerky
Tony’s Pizza - phone: (801) 393-1985
Kettlecorn
Winter Wreaths

By time of year - Fall

Mow Lawns
Salsa or Jam Sales
Yard Work Prep for Winter - cut back trees and bushes, rake leaves
Farm Work
Clean Rain gutters
Clean Dryer Exhaust
Clean Garbage Cans
Pie and Wreath Sales

Winter

Spring

Clean Dryer Exhaust
Clean Rain Gutters
Window Cleaning (late spring)
Spring Yard Work: aerate lawns, rototill gardens, clean out planter beds of debris, weed
Farm Work

Summer

Any time

Please help us keep this list growing by notifying klovell@northdavisprep.org of ideas you know of or have used. Thanks!

Payment Schedule

September Payment $500
October Payment $500
November Payment $500
December Payment $250*
January Final Payment $200*

*Only students NOT awarded a scholarship will make the last two payments.

ROAR

Along with our secular learning about Spain we have also been evaluating and assessing our social behaviors through our class R.O.A.R. rubric. Your student has now assessed him or herself 2x, once with a teacher and once independently. We have observed that 90% of our students are motivated to analyze their behavior and adjust when needed. I talked with the students on Thursday about their grade and wanted them to be aware of the reputation they have of not being the kindest to each other. We discussed that when individuals are rude or mean that they themselves are hurting. We talked about the awkwardness of 8th grade and trying to fit in. I’ve seen students really mature between August and March and no doubt these teens will be the same. I also shared with the students that spending almost 2 weeks together in Spain will be hard for everyone if we don’t have a “safe space”. Ms. Roundy and I are working with individual students and the class, as a whole, to be kinder, more considerate. We thought we’d let you know about our conversation so that you can talk with your student as well.

Meet with the Teachers

Meetings: 6:30 PM Jr. High Gym

October Parent Meeting: Tuesday, October 17th
February Parent Meeting: Wed. Feb 14th
March Parent Meeting: Tuesday, March 5th

Spain Study Abroad FAQ