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<title>Latest Articles by mrtjryan</title>
<link>http://www.populate.net/</link>
<description>Articles at Populate.NET</description>
<language>en-us</language>
<item>
<title>The Best Methods For Transferring Money Overseas</title>
<link>http://www.populate.net/Finance/Personal_Finance/the-best-methods-for-transferring-money-overseas.html</link>
<guid>http://www.populate.net/Finance/Personal_Finance/the-best-methods-for-transferring-money-overseas.html</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 06 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0800</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ When you transfer money overseas you invariably double the complications, currencies and cost compared to sending money within your own country.

The two basic costs to transferring money are: The advertised charge including the fee for the transaction and also the hidden charge. The hidden charge usually amounts to not being given a very competitive exchange rate. This is how some money transfer companies are able to advertise saying they have no transfer fees. They get customers using this slogan but charge you a very unfavorable exchange rate and thereby taking a decent cut of your money.

The best thing to do is to ask the simple question: "Overall how many Pounds/Dollars/Euros/Yen will I get for my Pounds/Dollars/Euros/Yen?" This is the easiest way to make a comparison between companies.
 
If you are sending gifts to friends or family overseas whilst presents are appreciated cash would probably be the preferred gift of choice every time.  

The quickest, simplest and most reliable methods for transferring cash quickly are Moneygram and western Union. If you use the services of one of these two money transfer giants your money will arrive almost instantly in cash. The main drawback of this approach is the cost. Whilst Moneygram is a little less costly they are both still expensive although hard to beat for convenience.

However, if your money does not need to be transferred immediately then you could consider a bank transfer which usually cost slightly less but take a bit longer. You may also wish to consider a banker's draft which would need to be sent via insured post again adding to the overall transfer fee.

One of Western Unions main markets is customers transferring money to India. To try and gain a foot hold in this market Indian bank ICICI has joined up with Lloyds TSB and they now provide a zero fee currency transfer service. You will have to seek out your local branch to see if they are offering that particular service as it is usually reserved for major branches at the moment. 

It would not be fair to ignore Paypal of Ebay fame when talking about money transfers. Whilst it's main service is to provide an easy method for auction payments it also facilitates very cheap money transfers. All that is required is for the sender and receiver to have a valid email address and a free Paypal account.

First you load your Paypal account with your credit or bank card and with the click of a mouse send it to the recipients email address. Once received the recipient can then download it into their local current account. Download times vary from between 3-9 days which varies depending on which country you are in. Paypal also does not operate in every country as yet, currently it operates in 45 countries and some countries are as yet not able to withdraw the money into their accounts so double check this before you embark on this process.

The great thing about Paypal is that it is free. the only charge is for the recipient when they receive their money. The rate runs at about $2.80 for every $60 withdrawn or there abouts. Their may also be an additional fee for withdrawing the money in to your account, again this varies dependent on location but this is a negligible amount typically $0.50. Paypal only operates in the following currencies: Canadian, Pounds, Australian, Euros, Yen and UK. The exchange rates that they operate are by are comparable to your average credit card.   

Setting up a Paypal account is instant however adding funds to the account can take 3-5 days if it is a new account. Overall the fees are minimal it is only the length of time that it takes that could be considered a disadvantage.

There is one further solution for sending money abroad however you have to be very trusting of the person receiving the money. You could locate a cheap credit card regarding overseas fees and simply open a joint account. Allow the recipient to take the card with them and let them withdraw money when they need it. You would simply have to foot the bill in your home country. Obviously you would have to be very trusting of this person and they would have to resist the temptation of overspending.  

Overall then Paypal is the cheapest option particularly for lower amounts. For a small transfer of $60 with Western Union you would be charged around $24 whereas Paypal would only cost you a mere $3.00 or less. The key is to shop around and see which money transfer company is the most convenient for you. ]]></description>
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<title>The Best Way To Transfer Large Amounts Of Money Overseas</title>
<link>http://www.populate.net/Finance/Personal_Finance/the-best-way-to-transfer-large-amounts-of-money-overseas.html</link>
<guid>http://www.populate.net/Finance/Personal_Finance/the-best-way-to-transfer-large-amounts-of-money-overseas.html</guid>
<pubDate>Sat, 01 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0800</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ The need to transfer large amounts of money overseas is growing and beginning a much more common practice. Whether the purpose is for purchasing a second home overseas, buying a car, for business purposes or simply because you are emigrating the need for safe and efficient money transfer services is growing. 

One of the most important things to remember when transferring large amounts of money is that even a small differences in exchange rates between currencies can make a significant difference to the amount of money that you will receive at the other end. For example just a 0.5% improvement on $100,000 is $500! Therefore making sure you get the best exchange rate possible should be of prime concern to the sender. 

One of the most common ways to transfer large amounts of money is to use a bank wire transfer. The main reason for this is that they are by far the safest way to transfer money. The reasons why this is a very safe method are because every account holder must  show proof of identity which will be thoroughly checked. Charge-backs are also unlikely to occur however wire transfers may be recalled. The information sent regarding the transfer is in a highly secure format using encrypted communication methods very are vrey difficult to intercept and interpret.

The price of bank wire transfers varies greatly, depending on the bank and its location; in some countries, the fee associated with the service can be costly.

Bank wire transfers can often be one of the speediest methods to transfer significant amounts of money between bank accounts. The cost of bank transfers can alter greatly between banks so make sure you shop around for the best deal. 

The process for bank transfers is as follows:
The bank sending the money sends a message using a highly secure system like Fedwire to the receiving bank with instructions detailing the payment.

Funds may take several hours to be transferred to the recipients bank account so it is not immediate. Usually the banks involved with the money transfer have a reciprocal account with each other or the payment may be sent through another bank that does have such an account

Millions of bank transfers are performed everyday particularly in Europe. Wire transfers within Europe can be very cost effective whereas sending outside of Europe can be a good deal more costly.

Of course there are other ways to wire money not just through bank accounts. western Union are one of the most reputable companies in this regard. With a burgeoning market for money transfers many new companies are entering the market offering new services all the time. Remember cheaper doesn't always mean better so here are a few questions you may wish to consider asking before using a money transfer service as a safety check list:

Are they registered with the official bodies in that country?
How long has the company been doing business?
Do they have a large staff? A medium-large sized company would generally be more reliable than a small recently started up.
What is feedback like from other users of this service on chat forums?
Are audited accounts available for viewing for example at Companies House (UK)?
Is there a designated money transfer account?

Of course a few other safety tips should be added, although they seem fairly obvious. Never send money to someone you do not know for a product or service. The recipient may just collect the money and run. Seems pretty obvious advice but a spate of scams requiring people to do this was very successful for the scam artists. At the time it was known as the Nigerian letters scam, 419 scam or advance fee fraud. Do not be a victim. 

The Federal Bureau of Investigation describes the scam as follows: 

"Nigerian letter frauds combine the threat of impersonation fraud with a variation of an advance fee scheme in which a letter, mailed from Nigeria, offers the recipient the "opportunity" to share in a percentage of millions of dollars that the author, a self-proclaimed government official, is trying to transfer illegally out of Nigeria. 

The recipient is encouraged to send information to the author, such as blank letterhead stationery, bank name and account numbers and other identifying information using a facsimile number provided in the letter. Some of these letters have also been received via E-mail through the Internet. The scheme relies on convincing a willing victim, who has demonstrated a "propensity for larceny" by responding to the invitation, to send money to the author of the letter in Nigeria in several installments of increasing amounts for a variety of reasons."

With that said generally speaking using your common sense and shopping around to get the best price, wire transfers are a very safe method for you to transfer large amounts of money overseas. ]]></description>
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<title>Money Transfer Advice For Security And Savings</title>
<link>http://www.populate.net/Finance/Personal_Finance/money-transfer-advice-for-security-and-savings.html</link>
<guid>http://www.populate.net/Finance/Personal_Finance/money-transfer-advice-for-security-and-savings.html</guid>
<pubDate>Sat, 01 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0800</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ With over 175 million people living outside of their country of origin, the growing usage of migrant workers and the continuation of globalisation the money transfer market looks set to continue its current growth levels of 10-12% per year. Currently the market is already worth over $250 billion with more and more companies organising new and innovative services for transferring money alongside some more traditional money transfer companies. 

Some of the more well known money transfer companies are: iKobo, Western Union, icici, MoneyGram and E-gold. For newcomers to the money transfer market it can be a little overwhelming at first. There are a variety of methods that these companies use to transfer the money not to mention bank transfers and paper transfers. For this reason it is important to make an informed choice about who you are going to transfer your money with, it is far better to make an informed and safe judgment than to just use the first money transfer company that you come across. 

Whilst we all want to get the best value for money transfer it is a good idea to remember that the cheapest option is not always the best option. With that in mind here are a few points worth bearing in mind whilst arranging your money transfer:

What exactly is the money transfer fee and how is it calculated?
What is the exact exchange rate that they are using?
How will the money actually get into the hands of my intended recipient?
How soon will the funds be made available? 
Is it possible for the recipient to be able to collect the funds from different locations?
Are there any extra fees for using credit cards? Exactly how much will they come to?

If they are able to answer the above questions quickly and easily then the chances are the company are well organised and capable of transferring your money. However save your receipts - all signed documents are proof of the money transfer and would be useful if there was to be a dispute. 
Furthermore here are a few more questions you may wish to ask the company: 

If the money is not received by the specified time/date will I receive any compensation?
What rights do I have if this situation were to occur?
Does the recipient have to pay a fee aswell?
What rights do I have if the money is not received at the promised time? 
If the recipient is unable to pick up the money transfer for some reason, what is the refund policy?
What ID is acceptable for the recipient to provide in order to collect the money transfer?

Now of course having dealt with the safety concerns how about saving a bit of money aswell. Here are a few top tips to consider:

Consider a delayed transaction. These are often significantly cheaper the only difference is the money transfer can take 2-3 days. This should not be a problem if there is no emergency. 

Think about performing a direct bank to bank transfer although generally these are slower this can often save a considerable amount, consult your local bank for details of any particular bank codes that you may need.  

Don't forget to watch out for hidden exchange rate costs. This is often where the money transfer companies will make their money on you. They don't always make it clear exactly how much they are charging and for what.

Be aware that different companies charge more money for sending to different locations so depending on your situation this could increase the fee dramatically.

Try not to use a credit card if possible as this may also add an extra charge for you as you will have to pay the cash advance fee. Furthermore try and find a company that offers a flat rate fee as opposed to a money transfer company that charges a percentage as this tends to be a better deal.

Finally, Check the newspaper or online for the latest rates and cross check them with what the company are offering you. You may find you are losing money compared to what you should be getting so don't be afraid to find a new company if this is the case.

There are a lot of new companies starting all the time and a great variety of ways for you to transfer your money so make sure you check out all the competition to find the one that suits you most, your needs and your budget. So having considered all the above safety factors and money saving tips there is no reason for you not to be able to transfer your money in timely and cost-effective manner. ]]></description>
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<item>
<title>An Overview Of The Money Transfer Market</title>
<link>http://www.populate.net/Finance/Personal_Finance/an-overview-of-the-money-transfer-market.html</link>
<guid>http://www.populate.net/Finance/Personal_Finance/an-overview-of-the-money-transfer-market.html</guid>
<pubDate>Sat, 01 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0800</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ The money transfer at the moment currently runs to well over $250 billion and is set to continue to grow further. Currently the growth rate is at 10-12% per year with no signs of slowing. This is mainly due to increased globalization, more migrant workers and the increased efficiency and security of money transfer companies.

There are a variety of methods to transfer money overseas. Here we will outline a few of the main methods.

1) Cash Transfers. This method is by far the most popular and most transfer companies will allow you to transfer money online making it a very convenient method for money senders. If you choose to transfer cash physically you will have to find a company with their own agent located in both your country of sending and the country where the money will be collected. 

Online money transfers have seen a growth in popularity recently as customers confidence in their security increases. The major advantage of such services are that money can literally be sent at the click of a mouse. Prices can be researched online and you can do it all without leaving your armchair. On the downside verification procedures can often be a bit long and drawn out whilst there may also be a gap in times sometimes days if you have to transfer the money and then have it downloaded into a local bank account.That said online money transfers are very popular. 

Money senders are usually provided with some sort of money transfer reference number which they then pass on to the recipient who then quotes this number in order collect the money. It is also highly likely that they will be required to present some sort of formal identification, this often has to be a passport. 

Online money transfer services also often provide extra services such as message sending services, frees sms messages and so on. In fact the array of services being made available and is growing all the time.

2) Money Orders. Most major Post Offices and Postal departments are able to issue international money orders however these tend to have a few restrictions. For example there is often an upper limit-on the amount of money you can transfer at one go. The money order once received then has to be exchanged for cash at a local Post Office of bank. as usual full personal details are required of both the recipient and the sender and of identification valid identifiaction must be presented at both ends of the transfer. The sender should also make sure they hold of receipt the recipt, this is often a carbon copy and would need to be presented in the event of there being a problem with the transfer. Of course there are always charges associated types of these typesof money transfers. 

3) Bank Transfers. This method may well be one of the easiest ways to send money. the actual process tends to differ from bank to bank so if you wish to pursue this option you should contact your main bank branch for details. However these services do also usually take  longer a than online transfers.

Another option with banks of course is to simply send a cheque. The main problem with this is that the recipient may have problems cashing the cheque in their part of the world and it may also take a long time for the cheque to finally clear. the recipient would also have to pay a fee to the bank cashing to cheque which is not always the cheapest option.

If you are thinking of sending a check abroad there are a few things you should always remember. It would take about a month to two to get the check cleared. Sending a check is surely easy but it is not easy to get it en-cashed by the recipient. And what is more the recipient also has to pay the processing fee to the bank locally.

A further option would be to have money wired to the recipient. you need not be a customer of the bank to use this service however you would need to pay for the service up-front. this service is generally reasonably quick and quite cost efficient. 

So there you have a quick overview of the different types of money transfer services available. Everyone will have different preferences for what they deem more important for their money transfer so it is important to shop around to see company compnay suits your needs best. Here are some of the more well known online money transfer companies: iKobo, Western Union, icici, MoneyGram and E-gold.

Remember that whilst a reasonably priced service is always nice to find it is not always the most efficient service.With that in mind have a look around and see what is best for you. ]]></description>
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<item>
<title>Ten Top Money Transfer Safety Tips</title>
<link>http://www.populate.net/Finance/Personal_Finance/ten-top-money-transfer-safety-tips.html</link>
<guid>http://www.populate.net/Finance/Personal_Finance/ten-top-money-transfer-safety-tips.html</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 29 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0800</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ The demand for reliable, efficient and safe money transfer systems has never been greater. Increasing numbers of migrant workers, globalisation and the internet have all helped the money transfer industry to become a US $250 billion per year industry. That figure is likely to increase over the coming years aswell, the current growth level is 10-12% per year. This of course has lead to more and more companies entering into an already fragmented money transfer market and they are naturally all keen to get their slice of the revenue.  

Many companies enter the market with new innovative ways to transfer money both on and offline and offer very competitive transfer fees compared to the traditional market leaders such as Western Union and Moneygram. In the main most companies are genuine and reliable and offer good services however with money, accoutn numbers, personal details and so on all being involved the need for safety and security within the company is very high.

Of course everybody wants to save money but the cheapest company may not always be the best option. Here are ten tips that will help you transfer your money safely:

1) How big is the company? If the company is a new outfit with only a couple of members of staff in a home office then there is probably going to be a higher chance of something going wrong with the transfer. A medium to large sized compnay would probably be a better bet.

2) For large sums of money it is generally accepted that a bank wire transfer is the safest method of sending your money. The main reasons for this are that a) all customers will have had to supply appropriate forms of identification and b) the actual wire transfer is a message sent to another bank in the formof a highly secure encrypted message which is extremely difficult for anyone to intercept and interpret.

3) Certainly never send money to strangers and people who you do not know. The most likely time for this to occur would be from an online auction or from other internet purchases. There is always the chance that they will simply take the money and run.

4) Look out for phishing scams. These are often entered into first when someone receives an email which pretends that it is from a genuine business that may normally need your personal and financial details such as a bank, Paypal, Western Union and so on.

The structure and presentation of the email may well be very difficult to tell apart from the legitimate business. Of course on this ocassion the email is a fake and will probably attempt to get you to click on a link which will forward you to another fake web-site again looking very genuine. Here they will attempt to get important personal/financial details from you. The best way to avoid such scams is to simply go direct to the merchnts site and not through a link in an email. 

5) Can the company answer the following questions quickly and easily:
What is the exact fee and exchange rate for the transfer? How will the money physically end-up in the hands of the proposed recipient? When will the funds become available? Are there any extra fees for using credit cards? 

If the company can answer those questions easily it is a good sign that they are at least well organised.

6)Advance fee frauds. This fraud also known as the 'Nigerian fraud' or the '491 fraud' is one of the commonest online frauds. These can result in considerable financial losses and occassionally personal danger. Usually they involve you puttin up front a large amount of money in order to gain a further considerable amount of money later, which then never appears.

Initial contact is usually via email and the sender often claims to be from some Third-world country. They may go on to give a semi-plausible explanation for why they need money, for example: a large amount of money needs to be claimed in order to prevent the goverment from taking it. Sometimes the message may contain references to topical news events to try and convince you that they are genuine. The sender will eventually offer to give you a cut of the money if you help them get the money. Usually they say that they need the money up-front in order to bribe corrupt officials or for some other legal purposes that will help release the money.

So, never believe anyone is who they say they are in an email and certainly do not be lured in to parting with any money or personal details.

7)For online transactions never share any passwords with anyone. Chane it if you think someone else might know it and try and change it regularly as good practise. Include numbers and figures in your password and make it random and hard to guess. Do not use the same password for different accounts or services. If you think someone may have your password, change it immediately. 

8) Be educated, fraudsters are constantly coming up with new ways to fool you. Here are a few scams that you may see: Lottery frauds, Up-front payments, millions waiting to be shared, jobs involving you acting as a broker. If something seems to good to be true then it probably is!
 
9) Furthermore here are a few questions you may wish consider asking in order to doucble check on the company:

If the money is not received by the specified time/date will I receive any compensation? What rights do I have if this situation were to occur?
Does the recipient have to pay a fee aswell?
What rights do I have if the money is not received at the promised time? 
If the recipient is unable to pick up the money transfer for some reason, what is the refund policy?
What ID is acceptable for the recipient to provide in order to collect the money transfer?

And finally...

10) Use your common sense. Do this and you will avoid the majority of scams and will be able to transfer your money safely, quickly and easily. ]]></description>
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<title>Ten Top Money Saving Tips For Money Transfers</title>
<link>http://www.populate.net/Finance/Personal_Finance/ten-top-money-saving-tips-for-money-transfers.html</link>
<guid>http://www.populate.net/Finance/Personal_Finance/ten-top-money-saving-tips-for-money-transfers.html</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 29 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0800</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ The money transfer industry is steadily growing at about 10-12% per year. This is mainly due to increased migration, globalization and new and improved technologies. 

One of the latest additions to the money transfer market is worldwide money transfer via mobile phones. This segment of the industry alone is set to become a $8 billion revenue opportunity for mobile phone operators from around 2012. This indicates a huge growth from 2006 when the turnover was $10 million.

With such a large market there are of course many service providers and new money transfer companies entering the market all the time. Here are ten tips to help make sure that you are getting the best deal possible on your money transfer:

1) Do not overlook hidden exchange rate costs! Some companies do not make it absolutely clear just exactly how much the exchange rate is that they are giving you. Some companies will give you a poor exchange rate after enticing you with slogans saying they have no money transfer fees but the they hit you with a hefty exchange rate possibly leaving you worse off.

2) Check out the details of the transfer. I mean really read the small print. It maybe that you will be ochre more when sending to and from different locations which again can be different from the advertised costs. The speed of the transaction may also be affected by your location.

3) Plan ahead. If you are are  able to plan ahead and the need for the money is not urgent you may wish to perform a delayed transaction. Basically you arrange for the transfer to take 2-4 days rather than to be immediate. This will mean the transfer costs will be lower, several leading companies offer this service. The fee could be around 25% cheaper.

4) Ask the following question to your potential money transfer company: The best thing to do is to ask the simple question: 

"Altogether how many Pounds/Dollars/Euro/Yen will I receive for my Dollars/Euros/Yen/Pounds?" This may well be the simplest and easiest way to compare money transfer companies.

5) For large money transfers consider wiring the money with a bank to bank transfer. The reason for this is that this is quite possibly the safest way to transfer money. Every account holder will have had to have had their identification checked and verified and also the banks use a very secure method to transfer the money. The information sent is highly encrypted to ensure security and difficult to intercept too.

6) With different companies entering an already fragmented market when deciding which company to use for your security consider answering the following questions before choosing a money transfer agent:

How is the fee worked out and what exactly will it be? What is the exchange rate that is being used? How can the intended recipient physically get their hands on the money? When exactly will they be able to collect the money? Is their a choice of money collection points? are there additional fees for using credit cards?

7) If possible do not use a credit card when transferring money. It is highly likely that you will have to pay a cash advance fee to your credit card company adding to the overall cost. 

8)One of the cheapest ways to transfer money would be to simply open a joint account and let the intended recipient take the card away with them. First you would need to find a credit card company offering reasonable withdrawal fees for overseas transactions. These can be found and secondly you would have to of course only do this with a person that you completely trust. The bill would simply have to paid in the country of origin of the card each month as normal.

9) Of course never fail to shop around! Many new companies are joining this expanding market everyday, many of them willing to undercut rivals for your business. This provides you with plenty of scope for finding a low money transfer fee. 

10) Cover yourself. Make sure you keep receipts, money transfer reference numbers and any other proof that you are given especially with new start=up companies where there is an increased possibility of things not quite going according to plan. This gives you the proof necessary in the unlikely event that an unfortunate dispute should arise.

So, there you have it, ten tips for making money transfers at a lower price and safely. As ever the lowest priced company does not always provide the best service so bear that in mind whilst searching around for a company to transfer your money. There are plenty to choose from so take your time and consider the above tips. ]]></description>
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<title>Money Transfer Companies Fees Compared</title>
<link>http://www.populate.net/Finance/Personal_Finance/money-transfer-companies-fees-compared.html</link>
<guid>http://www.populate.net/Finance/Personal_Finance/money-transfer-companies-fees-compared.html</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 29 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0800</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Here is a money transfer comparison of the different methods to transfer money and some of the main companies offering such services. The three main methods for transferring money overseas are: cash transfers, money orders and bank transfers. 

Cash Transfers

These are done by specialist companies that are able to transfer money around the world quickly and efficiently. Here are some of the main money transfer companies and also there fee for a $300 US money transfer from America to the Phillipines.

Western Union are one of the leading companies in this field. They have a huge network of over 245,000 agents in over 200 countries all over the world and can boast a revenue of over $4 billion US. Besides money transfers they also offer a messaging service.

Transfer fee: $16 for the money in minutes service.

Moneygram has over 125,000 locations worldwide. There online service allows anyone to transfer money around the world within minutes. They also offer services to pay utility bills in the US from abroad.

Transfer fee: $9.99 for the ten minute money transfer service.

Xoom, another growing money transfer company whilst not being as established as the leading brands yet offers very competitive low money transfer fees. You can make payments online via Paypal, any major credit card or alternatively you can have money withdrawn straight from your bank account.

The recipient can choose to receive the money in either US dollars or local currency.

The slight limitation with Xoom currently is that they only services to the following 30 countries. They are: 

Argentina, Australia, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Germany, Guatemala, Honduras, India, Jamaica, Mexico, Morocco, Nepal, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Sri Lanka, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, and Vietnam.

Transfer Fee: $14, however a value service for 7.99 is available whereby Xoom makes an electronic withdrawal from your bank account, which has to be based in the US. The transfer may take up to four days to go through for new customers due to several set-up procedures that have to be completed. Xoom also offer a money delivery service whereby recipients can have the money physically taken to their house or business.

Money Orders

In America it is possible to get a money order issued from the US Postal Service.

The normal limit for a money transfer is $700 for each money order although you may buy multiple money orders per day totaling up to $10,000. The fee per money order is variable from between $3 to $9. A money order from the US can be converted to money at most major banks and financial institutions around the world. Each money order is traceable via its unique money transfer reference number. Most banks are able to issue money orders of up to around $1000 they will also have a fee of approximately $10 pre money order.

Bank Transfers

Banks usually offer several ways to transfer money. However all banks are different so you would have to check locally to find out what services are available.
 
One method would be to simply send a cheque overseas. However the bank where the recipient tries to cash the cheque may well hit them with a large fee possibly around $50 and they may also have to pay a fee for the money to be converted into the local currency. Checks can also take up to six weeks to cash

Another method is to do a wire transfer. You can do one of these even if you do not have an account with a bank but the recipient must have access to a corresponding bank where they can collect the money transfer. Wire transfers can be done almost immediately but you would need to pay in cash when you do it. The fee varies from bank to bank but usually they cost around $65 for non-account holders and approximately $40 for existing account holders.

So those are the main methods of money transfer outlined and some of money transfer companies fees compared. Prices may also be different depending on both which country you are sending from and also which country the money will be collected in. Please make sure you are clear on exactly what exchange rate you are paying as this can add greatly to the real cost of the transfer. 

One final option that you may wish to pursue is that of finding a credit card that has low transaction fees for making withdrawals abroad. You could open a joint account and let the recipient take the card with them abroad and you simply foot the bill in your country. Of course a high degree of trust is required for this method but it is worth looking into.

There are many money transfer options and the lowest costing service is not always the best option so shop around and find which company offers the best and most convenient service for you. ]]></description>
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<title>Three Hot Tips Too 'Think and Grow Rich'</title>
<link>http://www.populate.net/Personal_Development/Advice/three-hot-tips-too-think-and-grow-rich.html</link>
<guid>http://www.populate.net/Personal_Development/Advice/three-hot-tips-too-think-and-grow-rich.html</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 27 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0800</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ If you've ever come across a book by Napoleon Hill called Think and Grow Rich you will undoubtedly be aware of the fact that you can deliberately create wealth in your life by manipulating the thoughts in your mind. In fact this remarkable book claims to have launched a million millionaires and that is probably no exaggeration either!

Anyway here are three tips that I came across recently that can help you super-charge your life to attract riches:

This first technique was first introduced to me by none other than Ted Ciuba the gentleman who has just re-released the book 'Think and Grow Rich' in his own unique style. Let's just say he knows a thing or two about attracting wealth. Real Estate, Stocks, Shares, Internet Marketing you name it he's made heaps of money using these principles.

In your wallet place a 100 dollar note. Every time you walk down the street or past some shops look through the window and mentally spend that 100 dollar note. Just go ahead and see yourself buying whatever it is that you want. By having the bill actually in your wallet you can really gain a feeling of certainty that you can actually have those things. This creates the feeling of abundance and wealth inside you that through the 'Law of Attraction' will enable you to automatically attract the wealth that you desire.

Whilst doing this you may not actually be wealthy and abundant but you will start to actually feel wealthy and abundant which is what will enable you to become so. The thought first then the thing, remember that is the law.

This next technique I came across in a book entitled 'Ask and it is Given' by Esther and Jerry Hicks'. In a nutshell it asks you to pay more attention to what you do want i.e. a pay rise, a new sports car, and more sales etcetera than what you do not want. Instead of focusing your thoughts on your job and constantly thinking about how little it pays and how you can only just cover your bills each month, consciously switch your thoughts to thinking about the new job and pay rise you are going to get shortly. Do not focus on the lack of wealth, instead focus on the presence of wealth. This ensures that your mind is starting to feel wealthy and in doing so can utilize the law of attraction to naturally bring you that money. This process need to be made habitual and is an ongoing process.

This third hot wealth tip is from the 'Positive Thinking Guy' and is a very simple way of utilizing free time more proficiently. Ask yourself this. Do you ever let your thoughts wander and drift along aimlessly without consciously controlling them? If so then you are missing out on valuable wealth attracting time. Here is an easy way to immediately develop positive wealth attracting thought habits. Start by saying to yourself What I'd really like is a... then go right ahead and finish the sentence concentrating on really seeing the object of your desire in your possession. Once you have done this repeat the statement with a new desire and then go ahead and list as many objects of desire as you can, each time really see them in your minds eye. Again here we are using the 'Law of Attraction' to enhance and improve our life.

At first this may feel awkward but you will soon notice that a thought will always attract a similar thought so you should be easily able to string together a long line of positive wealth attracting thoughts. Make a mental note of how long you made the list and next time try and better this tally. Use this technique as often as possible and try and make it at a daily habit, maybe on the commute to work each day.

So there you have it, three sure fire ways to attract wealth into your life. However just reading this article won't help actually putting the words into practice will! Visualize then actualize that is the key, enough said. ]]></description>
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<title>Succeed In Life Through Visualisation</title>
<link>http://www.populate.net/Personal_Development/Advice/succeed-in-life-through-visualisation.html</link>
<guid>http://www.populate.net/Personal_Development/Advice/succeed-in-life-through-visualisation.html</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 27 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0800</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ What is visualisation and why should I bother with it?

Visualisation is a technique where you use your imagination to create a picture or movie in your mind that you deliberately put together yourself. Rather like painting a picture you have complete control to create an image that you desire. By seeing this picture you will:

a) be able to focus more on achieving that goal because you are very clear what you want.

b) be providing yourself with a boost in confidence and motivation as you will start to believe that you can actually achieve that particular goal and will also be more likely to persist with your plans.

c) avoid the negative influences of other people as you have already made the decision about what you want to achieve.

You should try to visualise everyday whenever you have a spare moment. Try to make this a habit maybe on the commute to work, before you go to bed or whenever best suits you. First try to clear your mind of everything else. You may wish to use some relaxation techniques here, some people find deep breathing works fine: deep breaths in through the nose out through the mouth. Now simply create the mental image in your mind that you wish to achieve.

The image you see should be as real as possible. Who is there? What colour clothes are people wearing? What time is it? What is the exact situation? Even what does it smell like and most importantly, how does it feel to have achieved this mental image and goal?

Tips to develop your visualisation skills:

Some people find it difficult to develop visualisation techniques. Here are a couple of exercises you can try to improve yours:

1) Close your eyes and think of someone close to you...your partner, parent friend or whoever. Now focus on their face. What shape is it? Once you've got the shape now fill in as many of the details as you can? The hairstyle, skin texture and so on. How accurate can you make this picture? After a few attempts you should be able to develop this into a very life like image and given time you will be able to use this skill to visualise other objects, people and places easily.

2) This time think of a happy memory. Maybe the first time you met your partner or a particularly happy afternoon on holiday. Now select one scene or image and try and rebuild that scene in your mind again in as much detail as possible. Really see yourself in your mind living that memory again.

You may also wish to experiment with the law of attraction here. Choose a pleasant experience or object you would like to possess. Choose something not too out of the ordinary...like winning the lottery, maybe something like a chance meeting with an old friend, a bouquet of flowers or something else along those lines. Hold the thought of that thing in your mind. Visualise it as we have been talking about and try to hold the image for a minute or so excluding all other distractions and actually experience the feeling of having it now.

Do this a few times throughout the day for a few days then wait and really expect for it to show-up in your life. Now I'm not going to gaurantee anything here but I think you should try this for yourself and see what manifests in your life.

Inside of you is an immense amount of power. By focussing on yourself and your mind you are able to create and control the circumstances around you. Visualisation is one technique that can help you do this. Whilst work and taking action is always required the power of your mind and of Positive Thinking is immense and you have full control of it. ]]></description>
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<title>How To Use Positive Thinking And The Law Of Attraction</title>
<link>http://www.populate.net/Personal_Development/Advice/how-to-use-positive-thinking-and-the-law-of-attraction.html</link>
<guid>http://www.populate.net/Personal_Development/Advice/how-to-use-positive-thinking-and-the-law-of-attraction.html</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 27 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0800</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ This law is at the very corner stone of positive thinking. It is one of the reasons why positive thinking works so well. In a nutshell it can be explained as:

"You are what you think. You attract what you think; your life is a product of your thought and belief; nothing in the world can change this fact. To alter your life the only course open to you is to alter your thinking."

As described by U.S Anderson author of 'Three Magic Words'.

What he is saying is that whatever thoughts you hold in your mind persistently, will eventually appear in your physical world.

Why is that then?

Well that is a good question and there are a few theories, but it is the law and always works so you might as well use it whether you understand why it works or not.

Think about your own life now. What thoughts do you consistently hold in your mind and think about regularly. Do any of these ring a bell?

'I hate my job. It's too stressful and it tires me out.'

'I think I'm coming down with a cold.'

'I never have any spare money to me treat my friends and family with'.

I hope it is obvious to see that thoughts like those will inevitably attract the same negative situations into your life. For surely, if you hate your job then you will never be able to see the positive opportunities that it may offer you. If you are so firm in the belief that nothing good could ever come of your job then you are blinded to the potentially positive opportunities it may be offering you and only open to the negative possibilities.

These negative thoughts hold so many people locked in to certain situations and lifestyles. People think they can never escape them, so they never do.

How can we turn this around?

Well, take a few moments just to sit and observe your thoughts. Do you create them? No, I don't think so, but you certainly do have them. Do you decide what thoughts come in to your mind? Again I don't think so, they are more like a constant stream that continuously flows through your mind. We seem to simply latch on to and dwell on the thoughts that we choose.

So what thoughts do you think we should dwell on. The good thoughts or the bad/negative ones. Obviously the good/positive ones. If a negative thought comes in to your mind consciously let it go and replace it with a positive one, if another comes do the same. You will be amazed at how this one simple technique can improve your life as you will no longer be allowing negative thoughts to influence you.

Consciously decide here and now that you are in charge of your thoughts, that you decide what thoughts you dwell on, not another influence...not your friends, colleagues at work or who ever....you are now in charge of your thoughts and your life!

And guess what...thoughts attract similar thoughts. So if you are thinking positively about something then another positive thought will usually follow. Once you start consciously deciding to think positively then it will become a habit and a pattern. You will constantly and automatically start choosing the positive thoughts. It will become a natural thing for you to do.

This is how some people always seem optimistic. Once you have gotten into this positive thinking cycle then those thoughts inevitably attract the positive reality into your physical world.

Here are a few pointers to bear in mind:

You have to constantly think certain thoughts for them to manifest in your life, they don't always happen straight-away. Some do, some don't it depends what they are. You must also think the positive thought as though you are certain that it has already happened with complete faith. Through holding these positive thoughts in your mind sooner or later they will become real in your life.

Finally remember: YOU are in charge of your thoughts nobody else! So use positive thinking and the 'Law Of Attraction' starting from today. ]]></description>
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