Sending money to USA

[Glenbren]

I have family living abroad and would like to send them money for birthday or Christmas presents.I have used Western Union which charges quite a bit extra, and wondered what the best way was.Can I use a normal cheque?

[Ethel]

Good information here:

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/cgi-bin/viewn ews.cgi?newsid1114428796,22175,

[dzug]

You can use a normal cheque written in �� but the recipient will be charged a bomb to change it.

Ethel's link's advice is good.

Also possible but depending on the country carrying varying degrees of risk is to go to a B de C, buy some local currency and send it in the post. You can send it International recorded for �3.50 extra - but beware. Some countries do not allow import of their currency by post, so you wouldn't be covered by any insurance for these.

[spudqueen]

You can go down the Post Office and buy dollars and just send them those, though it's not that safe - just like sending a tenner in this country, can you be sure it will get there. Or you could buy them a gift card for somewhere like Target http://www.target.com/gp/browse.html?node=1406 1591