HOLIDAY-goers this summer should plan ahead and be careful spending money abroad, according to experts.

With summer holidays on the way for many families of the Forest, residents may be heading abroad to enjoy a much needed break. But experts say unnecessary costs could add up quickly if you don't plan ahead.

Jessica Willock, personal finance expert at Confused.com said:“With many schools breaking up this week, families around the UK will be packing their bags for a well-earned summer trip. With holiday prices costing more than ever, many might be looking for ways to cut down on expensive extra costs.

"Almost one in ten holidaygoers have been caught out by unexpected charges when using their card abroad.”

Jessica gave her top tips for using money abroad. She advised if you want to take cash out in the local currency, avoid doing so at the airport because rates can be considerably higher than other money exchange points. Plan ahead by comparing exchange rates of suppliers near you.

She discouraged using a credit card to withdraw cash abroad as it often incurs hefty interest and fees from taking the money out. Consider a prepaid travel card that you can load money to in your home currency, and spend local currency abroad without any foreign transaction fees. You may also be able to claim back VAT on some foreign purchases, and it can save you more than you think.

Jessica advised you check which card networks like Visa, Mastercard or Amex, are widely accepted in your destination country, to avoid being caught out at the till.

She also said travel-friendly cards which offer live exchange rates with no extra fees, such as Monzo, Wise or similar, could get more for your money.

Jessica added: "Holidays are all about relaxing, experiencing new places and enjoying quality time with your loved ones, but the stress of a holiday bill can often cloud the end of a great trip. That's why with a little more planning added to your pre-holiday to-do list, you can avoid unnecessary expenses."

You can find more top travel spending tips online.