I won't profess to be a financial expert (of any sorts!) but when I was approached by ClearFX to partner with them, I did a bit of investigating...and put the concept to several of my expat friends, who all thought this was a great idea and something that could be very handy indeed. They come under the umbrella of OzForex, the parent company in Australia with a multi brand strategy including NZForex, UKForex, USForex and CanadianForex. ClearFX is the Hong Kong branch. So here's the bit to pay attention to: If you're living away from home you probably know that sending money overseas can be expensive if you're using the major banks, right? With ClearFX though it's pretty easy - you can transfer money faster and for a lot less! Stick with me here, because it's worth looking into. There are no fees for transfers over HKD 16,000 or equivalent and their exchange rates are much better than banks and other providers. Best of all, you can do it anytime you like online or by phone – they are open 24-hours a day, business days! By using ClearFX you will enjoy the following; No receiving bank fees in most countries Extremely competitive foreign exchange rates across 50 currencies Online access 24/7 Access to a dedicated dealer by phone 24-hours a day, 5 days a week Complete exchange rate transparency No transaction fees for amounts over HKD 16,000 or equivalent Risk management tools through Limit Orders and Forward Exchange Contracts Exchange rate alerts via email Access to our highly regarded daily and weekly “Market Commentary” To speak to one of their accredited dealers about your foreign exchange requirements call 800 969 599 in Hong Kong (1300 300 424 in Australia 0845 686 1950 in the UK; 1800 680 0750 in Canada or 0800 161 868 in NZ). Registering with them is FREE and you can view their live dealing rates immediately. What are you waiting for!!! ClearFX Currency Converter Add this to your site … [Read more...]
A Foreigner in Your Own Country? Returning Home for Holidays as an Expat!
Living in Hong Kong as an Expat -- the Trip Home Getting ready to travel from Hong Kong You would think by now, being a so-called 'seasoned' expat, I would surely take a trip to see family in my great 'globetrotting' stride? I mean, seriously, when you've crossed more time zones than you can count (with toddler in tow) how hard can it be? Tickets, passports, pack a few bags…... But that - right there - is where all the trouble starts. "Pack a few bags." After trips here, there and everywhere, I admit, the airport may be beginning to resemble a second home (I can order a trusty Mint Mocha in most terminals) but alas, I still struggle to master the art of packing a decent suitcase. For starters, whoever decided 23 kilos is a fair luggage allowance clearly isn’t concerned with having the right outfit to wear on holidays, at all times. When your rather sturdy well-traveled bag takes up five kilos on its own, surely it's illegal to put restrictions on the number of stilettos (I may, admittedly, never wear) or those trainers - just in case I make it to the gym (ok, so hands up if you ever make it to a fitness centre on holidays)? But it seems the airlines aren't familiar with those 'just in case' items, hence stuffing a fortnight's essentials into a small space is at best challenging. (Thank god for my slightly more regimented husband and his military-precision packing skills!) To make matters worse, these days it's not all about me and my half a dozen handbags, now there's a small person requiring her own luggage space! (Don't even think about squeezing that Hello Kitty handbag in, short stuff!) Flying with a Toddler This trip we jet-setted scrambled to the UK …my other half's homeland. It's been awhile since we escaped the Asian bubble, six months to be precise, so it was with much anticipation we left Hong Kong and it's strapping skyscrapers, steaming humidity and all things oriental behind. … [Read more...]