Currency Buffer Converter

Convert a budget into foreign currency and add a realistic buffer for fees, spreads, and 'price surprises'.

This tool converts your home-currency budget into a target currency and then builds a safety buffer based on how you plan to pay (card vs cash). It models common real-world friction: card processing fees, cash exchange spread, and an additional contingency buffer. The result is a recommended ‘take’ amount in the target currency, plus a transparent breakdown so you can see which assumptions matter most.

Calculator

How it works

• Convert your home budget using an exchange rate.
• Model the cost of paying by card (fee) versus exchanging cash (spread).
• Add a contingency buffer for unexpected price changes or small mistakes.
• Use the higher of the two totals if you're unsure how you'll pay day-to-day.
• Lower the buffer once you have a more certain itinerary and spending style.

Examples

• Mostly card payments: Card total should be lower than cash total; plan closer to the card figure.
• Mostly cash payments: Cash total should be close to card total; buffer dominates if set high.
• High uncertainty trip: Use the higher-risk total for peace of mind.

FAQ

What exchange rate should I use?

Use the rate your bank/card typically gets (or a recent mid-market rate), then keep a buffer for real-world slippage.

Why model card fee and cash spread separately?

They behave differently: cards add a visible fee, cash exchanges often hide cost in the rate/spread.

How big should my contingency buffer be?

For short trips with a fixed itinerary, 5–10% is common. For uncertain trips, 10–20% is safer.

Disclaimers

• This is a planning tool only. Exchange rates and fees vary by provider and can change quickly.

Related tools

• Contribution Margin Planner

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