Introduction
There are many Filipinos who desire to find employment opportunities abroad. Jobs in foreign nations, after all, tend to be more lucrative compared to their counterparts here in the Philippines. If you become an OFW, there is a better chance for you to escape poverty or at least alleviate your family’s living conditions.
Many Pinoys who choose to move and work in another country are breadwinners of the family. The amount can vary, depending on several factors, such as their own salary and the average expenses of their family.
Some OFWs do not just wonder about the amount they need to give back to their loved ones. Another major concern for them is finding ways to send money from abroad. That’s where our services here at Cebuana Lhuillier can come in handy. Read through the rest of this article to learn about the various ways to send money from abroad.
Ways To Send Money Abroad
If you’re wondering how you can safely transfer your hard-earned money from overseas back to your family in the Philippines, here are three viable options:
Money Remittance
Arguably the safest way to send cash back home is to find a reputable remittance center. The facility specializes in transferring money from one location to another, regardless of geographical distance. Many OFWs use these services to give the funds needed by their families back home.
There are many remittance centers out there, but it’s advisable to choose the ones affiliated with us at Cebuana Lhuillier. Going to our international money remittance partners is a way for you to ensure that your cash will be handled safely and that it will be received by your intended claimant.
It’s hassle-free for your family, too. They won’t have a hard time finding an establishment to claim the money because Cebuana Lhuillier has over 2,500 branches in the Philippines, scattered in different regions.
Online Transfers
Making online bank transfers is another safe option. It’s convenient, too, because you can process the transaction in the comfort of your home. The money will be sent directly to the bank account of your intended recipient, so it’s quite fast, as well.
Of course, there is a significant downside if you choose this option. You can expect to be charged high fees if you make an online bank transfer from overseas. Because of this, it’s not surprising that some OFWs only do this as a last resort.
“Padala”
The traditional way of sending money back home is by seeking assistance from a friend or acquaintance. If they return to the Philippines, you can give them the cash and politely ask them to bring it to your family. This is called “padala.”
It’s evident that this option has many downsides, mainly because it is hard to check if your loved ones actually received the money. The interval between your remittances becomes erratic, too, because it’s hard to predict when another friend or colleague will return to the Philippines.
When Is It Recommended To Send Money From Abroad?
Some money remittance centers offer ways to send money from abroad. Like any other commercial establishment, they are open almost daily, so you can do international fund transfers whenever you want or need. However, they might be closed during certain hours and dates, like holidays and Sundays, so better check their schedule before visiting.
Since money remittance partners are generally open during workdays and work hours, you can send cash to your loved ones anytime. It’s better, though, if you schedule your remittance during these days:
Middle of the Month
The middle of the month is an excellent target to send cash back home. During this time, exchange rates are pretty stable, so you don’t have to worry about fluctuations that can cause your money to lose value.
On the contrary, making international fund transfers during the last days of the month isn’t recommended. People tend to flock to remittance centers during these days, so you might end up falling in a long queue and waiting long before you can have your transaction processed.
Mondays, Fridays, or the Weekends
Many employees, OFWs included, only get rest days during the weekend. This means you can take advantage of this time to run necessary errands, including making fund transfers. If you go to remittance centers on the weekends, bring some extra dose of patience with you. At this time, branches are busy, so you might have to wait long before you get served.
Remittance centers that offer the easiest ways to send money overseas are typically not busy on Mondays and Fridays. You can use these days to process your international fund transfers if your employer allows it.
It might also be important to note that Mondays and Fridays generally suffer from the least amount of exchange rate fluctuations. This means there’s a lower chance for your money to lose value once it is converted to peso.
Urgent or Emergency Situations
It is generally advisable to send money on Mondays or Fridays in the middle of the month. However, there are situations when you have no other choice but to disregard this advice and just send money the minute you receive it from your employer. This happens when there are unforeseen circumstances at home, such as sudden illnesses or emergency home repairs.
It’s hard to predict when these situations will arise. So, to prepare for them, you should have emergency funds saved somewhere that you can easily get and give to your family at home. It will also help if you learn tips on how to swiftly send money from overseas in case the need arises.
Conclusion
Pinoys working in foreign nations often bear the responsibility of providing for their families, so they need to find different ways to send money from abroad. Thankfully, with the help of Cebuana Lhuillier, it’s easier for OFWs to transfer funds internationally using safe and secure channels.
Cebuana Lhuillier is your partner when it comes to cash remittances. So, feel free to visit any of our international partners to make international cash transfers wherever you are. For more information on our services, do not hesitate to contact us!