Living abroad tips and hints for money savers

carrots

droopsnout wrote: »

Hulloo!

I always use the same one: www.xe.com/ucc

These are the sites I use.

The Reuters currency site is useful because it has a converter and a table of the main currencies. However, although the page refreshes itself, the quotes are delayed at least 15 minutes. The really useful thing is the article which explains movements in the exchange rate and often tells you the exact time when data is going to be published and the likely effect this will have on the rate. I have saved money by knowing about this. You can link to it here.

I've also saved money using the chart page of forex-realm.com: http://www.forexrealm.com/forex-charts/. I set it to a line graph updating every 5 minutes but the page has to be refreshed manually. By using a combination of the chart and the Reuters info, I can time visits to the distributeur (sometimes 11pm!) so I don't get the worst rate of the day. (Oh, and you can also find what the rate was at a particular time in the past.)

Unfortunately, these links probably aren't very helpful to anyone having their money sent from the UK at regular intervals by a third party.

For fx market times, have a look at http://www.2009.worldmarkethours.com/Forex/index.htm

droopsnout

Cor, carrots, I'm impressed by your dedication to duty!!

I'm going to be very busy today, but will check out these sites asap.

Oldernotwiser

baccyman wrote: »

you can get exchange rates at the bbc see below,

http://newsvote.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/fds/hi/business/market_data/currency/default.stm

those are bussiness rates and not what you would get in the exchanges or banks

You can have it on the bottom of your computer page if you're really neurotic!

Merrywidow

Oh Donny-gal - you don't know how lucky you are you decided to travel yesterday. England is in total chaos, and in particular the South East. NO trains into London, NO buses in London, the bus service in T.Wells is crippled. I got up at 7am (I was fasting for my diabetic blood check- since 8.30 last night) There was 6 inches of snow on my car. I live on a hillside and have 17 steps to my back door. I decided the blood test could wait a few more days and made some very welcome coffee and toast. Your timing was immaculate. The snow is moving North too. South East is under a severe weather warning for this pm. They expect at least another 10 inches in the next 24 hours. Think its time for a fire and a good film on the tele. More soon.

Merrywidow

Hi Seven-d.w. - I blame senility for missing your note about hubby's book. My congratulations to you both. Lets pray it brings in some dosh. You need to get it noticed for the Richard and Judy Bookclub. They work miracles for unknown authors and their choices are brilliant.

Merrywidow

Dear Droopsnout - putting two and two together I guess you are having a visit today from a mutal friend - have fun.As you can read above its horrendous here - however, every cloud etc..... Father's passing my house with sleighs and eager kids en route to Dunorlan Park (look it up)for some fun. Its just at the top of my road, has a large boating lake and lots of steep slopes - Don't think Tunbridge Wells has any flat bits!

droopsnout

Merrywidow wrote: »

Hi Seven-d.w. - I blame senility for missing your note about hubby's book. My congratulations to you both. Lets pray it brings in some dosh. You need to get it noticed for the Richard and Judy Bookclub. They work miracles for unknown authors and their choices are brilliant.

Well, I'm senile, too, then, and I can't find mention of a book in this thread. If the cat's out of the bag, someone shoo it my way, please!!

droopsnout

Merrywidow wrote: »

Dear Droopsnout - putting two and two together I guess you are having a visit today from a mutal friend - have fun.As you can read above its horrendous here - however, every cloud etc..... Father's passing my house with sleighs and eager kids en route to Dunorlan Park (look it up)for some fun. Its just at the top of my road, has a large boating lake and lots of steep slopes - Don't think Tunbridge Wells has any flat bits!

Yup - makes four, OK!

Yes, was keeping up this morning with the weather news, but have just got in after helping out a friend this afternoon. Other duties beckon right now, but I may catch up later.

A friend in Croydon did email me this morning to say there were 18 inches of snow there. 12° here at the moment, and fine, but I fear we will have showers tonight, though it should be OK for a little market exploration tomorrow.

gfplux

Thanks for all the currency sites links. I have bookmarked them.
I always have http://finance.google.co.uk/finance open in a window. It shows some of the markets and also the pound against the Dollar and the Euro.
If you like to follow the markets I like cnbc.com
(somehow will not copy correct address??)
You can switch between Europe, Asia and the USA markets. Interestingly a few months ago they added oil as it moved up to $150 a barrel! Today it is $41.
Not so interesting as travelling across Europe tho!!!

seven-day-weekend

Merrywidow wrote: »

Hi Seven-d.w. - I blame senility for missing your note about hubby's book. My congratulations to you both. Lets pray it brings in some dosh. You need to get it noticed for the Richard and Judy Bookclub. They work miracles for unknown authors and their choices are brilliant.

Thankyou Merrywidow.

There's final editing going on at this precise moment! Then final copy to the agent.

THEN hopefully he can find a publisher!!!!!!(s there a 'fingers crossed' smiley?).

But don't expect to hear next week!

I'll mention the Richard and Judy Bookclub to my husband.

Droopsnout, I mentioned it on the SKI-ers thread.