One, How to Track Daily Expenses?

When traveling in China, managing daily expenses requires combining local payment habits and tools. Below are specific methods:

1. Cash Payment Management

• Carry a Notebook for bookkeeping: It is suggested to prepare a small notebook to record every cash expense in real-time (such as snacks, small goods, tickets, etc.), marking the date, item, amount, and purpose.
• Categorized Recording: Divide expenses into categories such as "transportation", "catering", "accommodation", "scenic spots", "shopping", which facilitates later analysis.
• Exchange RMB Tips: Most consumption scenarios in China support mobile payments, but it's still necessary to prepare a small amount of cash (it is recommended to reserve 100-200 yuan per day). You can exchange currency at airports, banks, or hotels, with the exchange rate based on the day.

2. Mobile Payments (WeChat/Alipay)

• Automatic Bookkeeping Function: The bill function of WeChat and Alipay can automatically record every transaction.
• WeChat Operation: Open WeChat → Click on "Me" → "Services" → "Wallet" → "Bill" → You can filter by time period and check details by category.
• Alipay Operation: Open Alipay → Click on "Mine" → "Bill" → Supports keyword search and categorized filtering.
• Binding International Credit Cards: WeChat and Alipay already support binding Visa, Mastercard, etc., international cards (need to activate overseas payment permissions), deducting directly in RMB, settled according to the real-time exchange rate.

3. Credit Card/Debit Card Management

• Activate SMS/APP Notifications: Ensure that every bank account transaction has real-time reminders to avoid omissions.
• Save POS Receipts: Some small shops may not be connected to electronic bills, so it's necessary to keep paper vouchers for verification.

4. Daily Reconciliation

• Fixed Time Review: It is suggested to organize the day's cash, mobile payment, credit card consumption records in the hotel every night, consolidating them into one table.
• Use Multi-Currency Wallet: If carrying multiple currencies, multi-currency management tools (such as Revolut card) can be used to track exchange rate conversions in real-time.

Two, Recommended Budget Applications

Below are budget management tools useful in mainland China and suitable for international users:

1. Travel-Specific

• Tripcoin
• Advantages: Specifically designed for travel, supports switching between multiple currencies, automatically calculates exchange rates, and can categorically tally transportation, accommodation, and other expenses.
• Compatibility: No need for a VPN, supports offline use.
• Trail Wallet
• Advantages: Simple interface, can set daily budget caps, supports photo notes (such as photographing receipts for archiving).
• Compatibility: iOS/Android universal, manual input required for cash expenses.

2. Comprehensive Financial Management

• Built-in Functions of WeChat/Alipay
• Advantages: Seamlessly integrated with local consumption scenarios, automatically synchronizes accounts, supports exporting Excel tables.
• Operations: WeChat bill can be shared via email; Alipay supports generating monthly reports.
• Money Manager (Android) / Money Lover (iOS)
• Advantages: Supports multi-account management, powerful chart analysis functions, can set periodic expenditure reminders.
• Compatibility: Manual input required for cash expenses, some advanced features require payment.

3. Internationally Common Tools

• Splitwise
• Advantages: Suitable for group travel, can split costs and generate settlement lists.
• Note: Requires internet connection, some features require a VPN.
• Mint
• Advantages: Automatically synchronizes bank accounts and credit card data, generates budget analysis reports.
• Restrictions: Needs to bind international bank cards, some banks may not support synchronization of transactions within China.

4. Exchange Rate Conversion Tools

• XE Currency
• Real-Time Exchange Rates: Provides accurate currency conversion, supports offline mode, can set exchange rate fluctuation alerts.
• Simple Currency (极简汇率)
• Localized Compatibility: User-friendly Chinese interface, supports scanning codes to calculate product prices (scan RMB labels to automatically convert to other currencies).

Three, Precautions

1. Payment Habit Differences: Over 90% of scenarios in China support mobile payments, but some small towns or temples might only accept cash, suggesting keeping loose change daily.
2. Network Restrictions: Some international apps (like Google-related services) require a VPN to be used, you can rent a portable Wi-Fi or purchase a local data card in advance.
3. Service Fees: Some merchants may charge 1-3% service fees when using international credit cards, it’s recommended to prioritize using Alipay/WeChat bound cards.
4. Backup Plan: To prevent situations like your phone running out of power or getting lost, it's suggested to carry a paper budget table and emergency contact information.
5. Small Cash Techniques: When exchanging RMB, try requesting denominations below 100 yuan (50 yuan, 10 yuan, 5 yuan banknotes are more practical).