TwistdMike
Post 12/15/2018 00:36     Subject: Cheapest way to send money abroad

Ask the recipient who they bank through. Typically, there is a branch available in the US and you can ACH direct to them and is a much cheaper cost of sending the money to the Japan branch, and often better exchange rates.
Anonymous
Post 12/14/2018 18:52     Subject: Re:Cheapest way to send money abroad

Money gram is cheap. It deposits directly into a person's foreign account.
Anonymous
Post 12/14/2018 16:27     Subject: Re:Cheapest way to send money abroad

Venmo or Western Union. Western Union is expensive but at least you know they will get the money. Every time I put cash in an envelope before it got stolen.
Anonymous
Post 12/14/2018 16:22     Subject: Cheapest way to send money abroad

Sorry - PP who used Venmo. All you both have to do is download the app, if you haven't already, and then it will prompt you on how to link to your bank accounts.

Upper limit for transfers is $2,999 but if you need to do more you can send every three days I think?
Anonymous
Post 12/14/2018 16:20     Subject: Cheapest way to send money abroad

When I lived in China for 2 years, my friends, parents and I all just swapped $$ over Venmo.

It's by FAR the easiest option.
Anonymous
Post 12/14/2018 15:02     Subject: Cheapest way to send money abroad

I have a friend who lives in Nigeria who specializes in this. Let me look up his email and see if he can help.
Anonymous
Post 12/14/2018 14:37     Subject: Cheapest way to send money abroad

Depends on the country but western union might be good for Japan.

You might want to call the Japanese embassy and see if they have tips on doing this.

Japanese post offices also function like banks in some ways so there may be a unique way to send it there.

I lived in japan but only sent money in yen from japan to the us so dont know the other direction way to do this.
Anonymous
Post 12/14/2018 14:19     Subject: Cheapest way to send money abroad

Anonymous wrote:what about paypal?


I don't think the recipient has Paypal.
Anonymous
Post 12/14/2018 14:19     Subject: Cheapest way to send money abroad

what about paypal?
Anonymous
Post 12/14/2018 14:17     Subject: Cheapest way to send money abroad

OP here.

Darn, sending money through the mail was what I was leaning toward. Cheaper than all the other options, basically, and who's to know? I checked it was legal, BTW.
Anonymous
Post 12/14/2018 14:06     Subject: Cheapest way to send money abroad

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:To Japan, specifically.

USPS has an international money order.
I can do a bank transfer.
What about those FX companies?
[b]Or just buy bills at an exchange place locally and send them through the post?


I would appreciate any advice, thanks.


Whatever you do - don’t do this!!


Sorry- the only part that I meant to bold was the sending through the mail option
Anonymous
Post 12/14/2018 14:06     Subject: Cheapest way to send money abroad

Anonymous wrote:To Japan, specifically.

USPS has an international money order.
I can do a bank transfer.
What about those FX companies?
[b]Or just buy bills at an exchange place locally and send them through the post?


I would appreciate any advice, thanks.


Whatever you do - don’t do this!!
Anonymous
Post 12/14/2018 13:47     Subject: Cheapest way to send money abroad

Why not Western Union?
Anonymous
Post 12/14/2018 13:30     Subject: Cheapest way to send money abroad

I used BOA to send to Southeast Asia - about $35
Anonymous
Post 12/14/2018 13:25     Subject: Cheapest way to send money abroad

To Japan, specifically.

USPS has an international money order.
I can do a bank transfer.
What about those FX companies?
Or just buy bills at an exchange place locally and send them through the post?

I would appreciate any advice, thanks.