How to use wise overseas to save most cash

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Just now, while I was still packing my luggage 🧳 and I suddenly realized, hey, why is it that I seem to have missed doing one thing before traveling abroad these past few years?

It is going to Mid Valley to exchange money.

I used to queue no matter how long the line was,

sometimes I would even drive there specifically to exchange money!

Even though I do not live near MV Punt,

it seems like traveling abroad has become a little easier lately,

probably because I mostly use my Wise card when traveling,

and carrying a little bit of cash I have left over is enough!

Look at the photos below, I did not use any cash at all while shopping and eating!

Why do I use Wise so often?

1️⃣Because the worst thing about using credit cards before was:

not knowing the exchange rate that day and receiving the bill back home,

the amount was always more than I expected! It was terrifying!

2️⃣ I kept accumulating more and more local change at home that I could not use.

Using Wise makes things much simpler:

✅ When the exchange rate is low, exchange money in advance and store it in the Wise App.

✅ When you use your card locally, it directly deducts the exchanged currency.

✅ Now, when you go to China 🇨🇳, you can also link Wise to Alipay,

and directly deduct from your Wise balance.

Sharing my experience using Wise:

How to top up Wise (Malaysian Ringgit)

The most common and simplest method: FPX (forex exchange)

1️⃣ Open the Wise App

2️⃣ Tap on MYR (Malaysian Ringgit)

3️⃣ Tap Add / Add money

4️⃣ Enter the amount → Continue

5️⃣ Select your bank (FPX)

6️⃣ You will be redirected to online banking to complete the top-up.

7️⃣ Return to the App Successful! ✅

💳 What is Wise Card?

It's a multi-currency debit card (top-up required for transactions)

✔️ Supports 40+ currencies

✔️ Remittances to 80+ countries

✔️ Overseas income can be directly deposited into Wise

✔️ Usable in Malaysia & overseas

📱 Apple Pay / Google Pay If you do not want a physical card, you can use it without waiting for it:

• iPhone: Apple Wallet / Apple Watch

• Android: Google Pay

• Virtual card is instantly usable

📦 Wise Physical Card

• Physical card: Free

• Postage: RM13.70 (one-time payment)

• Delivery time: Approximately 7–9 business days

⚠️ Remember to apply early if you're traveling abroad

📌 Activate for first-time use:

👉 Go to any place that accepts cards (Market/ Cafe/ ATM)

👉 Insert the card + enter your set PIN

👉 The card will be activated immediately ✅

🏧 Wise Card

What can it be done?

✅ Domestic/International Credit Card Payments

✅ PayWave/Mobile Payments

✅ Foreign ATM Withdrawals (tried it at a 7-Eleven in Japan)

✅ View every transaction record within the App (super convenient)

Instantly see how much RM was spent after each transaction in the UK or Iceland

🈚 No annual Fee

🈚 No monthly Fee

🔐 4-Digit PIN Code is Important

Remember the PIN you set during registration

💡 Personal User Experience

✔️ Do not want to carry too much cash

✔️ Can be used both domestically and internationally

✔️ Top up directly through the App if you are short on cash

✔️ All transaction records are clear and transparent, giving you peace of mind

Currently, I have used Wise to:

🇨🇭 Switzerland｜🇮🇸 Iceland｜🇯🇵 Japan｜🇹🇭 Thailand｜🇫🇮 Finland｜🇬🇧 UK｜🇫🇷 France | Malaysia 🇲🇾 etc.

👉 Remember to select the local currency when swiping your card.

⚠️ Places where it is relatively less convenient to use:

• Taiwan (the app does not even have this currency, so I could not even buy breakfast)

• Japan (cash is still required in some places)

• South Africa, etc.

Wise application link: https://wise.com

I was packing my bags 🧳 when it suddenly occurred to me, "Hey! Why can I survive abroad without exchanging any money recently?"

So I wrote this post!

This is not a sponsored post, although I would love to get one too