Question for our UK residents or frequent visitors... - Blu-ray Forum

aristotles · 03-01-2008, 04:10 AM

A piece of advice, forget about the exchange rate or trying to calculate it in your head.

I would suggest making a budget before you go to decide what you are willing to spend on meals and incidentals during your trip. I'd also suggest going to a currency exchange and getting some cash in GBP before you go for those meals as your credit card will probably try to rip you off on extra fee and poor exchange rates.

It only seems expensive when you try to convert it into USD but to the average person in the UK, its just the usual cost of living for them.

After you have set your budget in GBP, stop trying to think of what you are spending in USD but think of a pound as you would a dollar.

Otherwise you will just drive yourself crazy thinking about it and it really is pointless to do so. Don't let penny or pence pinching ruin your fun.

richieb1971 · 03-01-2008, 05:02 AM

English people hardly eat out. Just go to Tescos and stock up. Or use a supermarkets built in restaurant. You would get better value in a pub, at least its healthy food.

WickyWoo · 03-01-2008, 05:54 AM

That's half the secret to traveling cheaply. Get a hotel with a fridge (and preferably a microwave too) and stock up

w_tanoto · 03-01-2008, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aristotles

A piece of advice, forget about the exchange rate or trying to calculate it in your head.

I would suggest making a budget before you go to decide what you are willing to spend on meals and incidentals during your trip. I'd also suggest going to a currency exchange and getting some cash in GBP before you go for those meals as your credit card will probably try to rip you off on extra fee and poor exchange rates.

It only seems expensive when you try to convert it into USD but to the average person in the UK, its just the usual cost of living for them.

After you have set your budget in GBP, stop trying to think of what you are spending in USD but think of a pound as you would a dollar.

Otherwise you will just drive yourself crazy thinking about it and it really is pointless to do so. Don't let penny or pence pinching ruin your fun.

just remember this. 1GBP = 2USD

gandley · 03-01-2008, 11:47 AM

yeah and remember in the UK you get no free drink refills. you have to pay for your second cup etc.

Wait to you see the price of our fuel, your be gald to be flying home before long.

Londons ok but nothing special.

Smackos · 03-01-2008, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gandley

yeah and remember in the UK you get no free drink refills. you have to pay for your second cup etc.

Wait to you see the price of our fuel, your be gald to be flying home before long.

... and god help you if you smoke..!

"Marlboro King Size Gold 20 Pack".... £5.42 or around $11.00

Kirsty_Mc · 03-01-2008, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gandley

yeah and remember in the UK you get no free drink refills. you have to pay for your second cup etc.

Wait to you see the price of our fuel, your be gald to be flying home before long.

Londons ok but nothing special.

Tell me about it

gandley · 03-01-2008, 12:38 PM

TBH i surprised were letting the price of fuel slide this time. Its getting silly money.
I ride the motorbike most the time so dont get too bothered but if i take the BMW it costs a fortune to fill it up and its no wonder the wifes fuel bill is so freaking high (she drives the car most of the time).

Wont be long before being able to fuel your car will be seen as a status symbol

Stiff upper lip i guess.

Moefiz · 03-01-2008, 12:53 PM

Year's ago when I went to London...it was expensive then dpn't know how it is now but my advice for good food at cheap prices is heading to the local pub or the local fish n chips shops.

gandley · 03-01-2008, 01:17 PM

as above but some of the small cafes (not the designer ones but the more back street jobs) also do really good food at cheap prices. (normaly good fryups)

w_tanoto · 03-01-2008, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gandley

yeah and remember in the UK you get no free drink refills. you have to pay for your second cup etc.

Wait to you see the price of our fuel, your be gald to be flying home before long.

Londons ok but nothing special.

well, maybe except nando's. they allow refill. but nearly all of them: no refill

zipbags · 03-01-2008, 06:04 PM

I got the menu from Hard Rock London. A burger & fries is Just under $20 US. But, if I bring my AAA card. I will save 10%.

aristotles · 03-01-2008, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zipbags

I got the menu from Hard Rock London. A burger & fries is Just under $20 US. But, if I bring my AAA card. I will save 10%.

Don't use for credit cards on meals unless you want to pay extra for the hell of it.

When I was in London last June as part of my whirlwind tour of Europe, I picked up some GBP cash at the airport when I landed and used cash for my meals, food from Tesco, bus tickets and small trinkets.

mattym · 03-01-2008, 07:39 PM

diesel is £1.12 per litre.****ing disgusting.

there was 5 of us in the japanese restaurant, one oof them terriaki jobs. most ive ever spent but i enjoyed it fantastically.

zipbags · 03-01-2008, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aristotles

Don't use for credit cards on meals unless you want to pay extra for the hell of it.

Was this just because of the varying exchange rate? Or do they hit you with extra fees?

reiella · 03-01-2008, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zipbags

I got the menu from Hard Rock London. A burger & fries is Just under $20 US. But, if I bring my AAA card. I will save 10%.

Something wrong about using an AAA card in London.

aristotles · 03-01-2008, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reiella

Something wrong about using an AAA card in London.

I've seen American tourists assume that their AAA card will get them a discount in some European hotels simply because it was the same chain as they have in America giving out discount only to have a rude awakening and embarrassment at the front desk. Besides making you look foolish in front of other guests, it also make you look cheap.

I'd not bother with the coupon/discount cards even if they actually worked in Europe.

aristotles · 03-01-2008, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by w_tanoto

just remember this. 1GBP = 2USD

Yeah, keep that in mind when you are budgeting for your trip and keep it in mind if you are thinking of buying larger items or accommodation on a credit card but otherwise the exchange rate should not be a constant thought.

People on vacation should not be constantly stressing themselves out over the cost of food by converting to their home currency. People that live in the UK are paid in pounds and they buy their food and clothes in pounds locally. You should take the attitude that you are living like a local within the limits of your budget.

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03-01-2008, 04:10 AM	#1
aristotles Expert Member Member since:Aug 2007 Location:Canada Blu-ray collection:401 Blu-ray reviews:1	A piece of advice, forget about the exchange rate or trying to calculate it in your head. I would suggest making a budget before you go to decide what you are willing to spend on meals and incidentals during your trip. I'd also suggest going to a currency exchange and getting some cash in GBP before you go for those meals as your credit card will probably try to rip you off on extra fee and poor exchange rates. It only seems expensive when you try to convert it into USD but to the average person in the UK, its just the usual cost of living for them. After you have set your budget in GBP, stop trying to think of what you are spending in USD but think of a pound as you would a dollar. Otherwise you will just drive yourself crazy thinking about it and it really is pointless to do so. Don't let penny or pence pinching ruin your fun.

03-01-2008, 05:02 AM	#2
richieb1971 Blu-ray Samurai Top contributor Member since:Aug 2007 4K collection:89 Blu-ray collection:706 Trading Score:16	English people hardly eat out. Just go to Tescos and stock up. Or use a supermarkets built in restaurant. You would get better value in a pub, at least its healthy food.

03-01-2008, 05:54 AM	#3
WickyWoo Blu-ray Champion Member since:May 2007 Trading Score:2	That's half the secret to traveling cheaply. Get a hotel with a fridge (and preferably a microwave too) and stock up

03-01-2008, 11:47 AM	#5
gandley Special Member Member since:Feb 2007 Location:The Drowning Pool	yeah and remember in the UK you get no free drink refills. you have to pay for your second cup etc. Wait to you see the price of our fuel, your be gald to be flying home before long. Londons ok but nothing special.

03-01-2008, 12:38 PM	#8
gandley Special Member Member since:Feb 2007 Location:The Drowning Pool	TBH i surprised were letting the price of fuel slide this time. Its getting silly money. I ride the motorbike most the time so dont get too bothered but if i take the BMW it costs a fortune to fill it up and its no wonder the wifes fuel bill is so freaking high (she drives the car most of the time). Wont be long before being able to fuel your car will be seen as a status symbol Stiff upper lip i guess.

03-01-2008, 12:53 PM	#9
Moefiz Blu-ray Knight Member since:Jul 2007 Blu-ray collection:288 DVD collection:20 Blu-ray reviews: 15 Trading Score:70	Year's ago when I went to London...it was expensive then dpn't know how it is now but my advice for good food at cheap prices is heading to the local pub or the local fish n chips shops.

03-01-2008, 01:17 PM	#10
gandley Special Member Member since:Feb 2007 Location:The Drowning Pool	as above but some of the small cafes (not the designer ones but the more back street jobs) also do really good food at cheap prices. (normaly good fryups)

03-01-2008, 06:04 PM	#12
zipbags Active Member Member since:Nov 2007	I got the menu from Hard Rock London. A burger & fries is Just under $20 US. But, if I bring my AAA card. I will save 10%.

03-01-2008, 07:39 PM	#14
mattym Expert Member Member since:Jun 2007	diesel is £1.12 per litre.****ing disgusting. there was 5 of us in the japanese restaurant, one oof them terriaki jobs. most ive ever spent but i enjoyed it fantastically.

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