Navigating the differences between life in the U.S. and Spain has brought some unexpected challenges, especially when it comes to managing money and adjusting daily routines. One of the first things that caught my attention was the currency conversion from U.S. dollars to euros. At first, the exchange rates didn’t seem like a big deal, but I quickly realized I was losing small amounts of money over time—from conversion fees to the lower cost of living in euros.
My first major currency conversion fee came when I had to pay the first month’s rent and a security deposit, totaling about $600. After the exchange rate was applied, though, I ended up paying closer to $700. I had initially assumed my money would stretch further in Europe, and in many ways, it does. But with the exchange rate at around 1 U.S. dollar to 0.80 euros, those small losses add up quickly.
Since it took me a while to open a local bank account (well, technically two, but that’s another story), I relied on my American card for most transactions. Each time I used it, I had to choose between currencies. I had heard it’s always better to select the local currency, but this still came with international transaction fees—sometimes as small as 10 or 28 cents. However, those fees stack up fast, and I estimate I’ve spent over $30 on them alone.
Looking back, I wish I had opened a reliable European bank account sooner to avoid constantly losing money to conversion rates and fees. It’s one of those small things that can make a big difference, especially when you’re just settling in and making lots of purchases. Planning ahead financially and understanding how exchange rates and bank fees work is key to making your money last.
Another financial hiccup I encountered was not realizing my phone plan didn’t cover international calling. I needed to resolve some banking issues back in the U.S. and without thinking, I made direct international calls from my phone. That mistake cost me an unexpected 40-60 euros on my bill. It was a tough lesson to learn, but now I use apps like WhatsApp or Google Voice for free international calls. It’s one of those easily overlooked details when moving abroad, but being aware of how your phone plan works can save you from unnecessary expenses.
I also ran into trouble when using Klarna in the U.S. to book an Airbnb. I made the first payment, but after changing my debit card (again, let’s not get into why), the second payment failed. I contacted Klarna’s customer support through various channels, but it took forever to get a resolution, and I was eventually hit with a late payment fee.
After a lot of back and forth, I realized I was dealing with two different Klarna accounts—one for the U.S. and another for Spain. I had been contacting Klarna ES (the Spanish department) instead of Klarna US, which explained why my order wasn’t showing up and why I couldn’t resolve the issue. Once I figured that out, things made sense, but it was a frustrating and costly mistake that taught me to keep track of which country-specific platform I’m using when managing finances across borders.
Living abroad is fun, they said! And while that’s true, the reality is that despite these financial hiccups and other challenges, I genuinely love the lifestyle and culture of Spain. Once you get past the initial hurdles—adjusting to a new system, language barriers, and the occasional frustration—it becomes much more enjoyable. The truth is, it doesn’t always have to be difficult, but learning to adapt to the slower pace of the Spanish system is part of the experience. Things might not happen on your timeline, but learning to flow with that rhythm is key to making the most of living abroad.
Love always,
American Girl Meets World
