Helping with Money for Foreign Significant Other

[cieloazul 0]

I've used PNB's (Philippine Natiional Bank) remit which is available online. Their website is: http://www.pnbrci.com. So, if your spouse lives in the phils, you can send the funds either to a bank account or they can pick it up at one of PNB's branches. The cost per transaction is based on the amount but is typically less than $10. I've used other services like WU in the past but PNB's has the lowest cost of fees,,so far.

I also setup a joint accout with my wife at PNB to make the transfers and I think a shared bank account/finances is part of the information listed on USCIS's list to show you have a bona fide relationship. I expect to support my family when they arrive here so I don't really see any difference in supporting them while they are still in the phils.

[panamania79 2]

I am wondering how many of you are helping your partner living in a poor country?

How do you handle that? do you wait for a request or you do it by yourself?

Your responses are going to be appreciated. Thanks.

I help him out on my own because he only makes $400.00 a month.This is actually a good salary in Panama,believe it or not.I used to do Western Union but switched to Money Gram because it's cheaper.

[itzmi 1]

Reading from all your post, I discover Xoom has the cheapest transfer fee. It's only $3.99! Wow. My mom who is also here in the US has been sending money to my sister in the Philippines thru Western Union and it cost $12.99. I'll tell her later about my discovery. Thanks for the info!

Edited May 19, 2008 by itzmi

[pushbrk 12,105]

Not sure if i will get flamed for this....not intentionally being provocative but...how did these people manage before you (USC) become involved with them?

No flamage here, it's a legit question. For some it's a little extra spending money, something to make life easier. I send money to my SO so she can have a little extra cash, go out a little more often, buy clothes, etc. She still has to work and pay her bills. It's my way of making her comfortable during this long wait.

Of course, it's a legitimate question. I expected to provide at least some additional money to my wife to help bring her lifestyle more in line with my own. We discussed it during the honeymoon. I had already arranged an account with a debit card, (my name on the account and card) so I could just put money in as needed and she could withdraw as needed. She got along fine before me and better after, just like she does now.

The only time I used Western Union was to pay for her travel expenses to the interview and to the USA.

Needs, desires and procedures will vary with the couple. Communication is the key.

[william_wallace 8]

I send money to my US fiance through moneygram. She didnt want me to send it at first but i wanted contribute with the visa process. We share things 50-50 and thats the way we agreed and are both happy with it. I do find it cheaper in the long run if i send her $500 at a time rather than in small amounts.

[huge316 0]

I am wondering how many of you are helping your partner living in a poor country?

How do you handle that? do you wait for a request or you do it by yourself?

Your responses are going to be appreciated. Thanks.

I opened a new checking account and gave her the ATM card, called the bank and told them to allow it to be used in Thailand until further notice. This is way way cheaper than wire transfers, but should only be done if you really trust them to use it properly, which hopefully you trust them if you intend to marry them. I did this as I told my Fiancee to stop working while we wait so she can spend more time with her family before she leaves, so I just send her money into the account as she needs it and it works nicely. I just told her to let me know when she needs money, I tell her how much she can take out, and she does it. Note: if you do this the ATM card needs to have something along the lines of the Star network or comparable to work internationally, mine is a Star network ATM Mastercard, there's only a 3% transaction fee and ATM's give you some of the best exchange rates. I plan to leave the card with her mom as well when she comes over so we can easily continue sending her family money. Hope this helps ya.

[snowfrostedlashes 0]

I send money to my US fiance through moneygram. She didnt want me to send it at first but i wanted contribute with the visa process. We share things 50-50 and thats the way we agreed and are both happy with it. I do find it cheaper in the long run if i send her $500 at a time rather than in small amounts.

Mmm I paid the initial filing fee and will pay the AOS fee too. I insisted on it actually, so that way I won't feel guilty about him looking after me until I can work.

I think money is one of those subjects that a couple really does need to discuss in-depth as soon as a relationship turns serious. In our case my Mum doesn't have much money and wouldn't be able to afford to visit me so it was important to me that Mark would be happy that we paid for my Mum to visit at least once every other year.

[Todd-Leah 0]

I opened a new checking account and gave her the ATM card, called the bank and told them to allow it to be used in Thailand until further notice. This is way way cheaper than wire transfers, but should only be done if you really trust them to use it properly, which hopefully you trust them if you intend to marry them. I did this as I told my Fiancee to stop working while we wait so she can spend more time with her family before she leaves, so I just send her money into the account as she needs it and it works nicely. I just told her to let me know when she needs money, I tell her how much she can take out, and she does it. Note: if you do this the ATM card needs to have something along the lines of the Star network or comparable to work internationally, mine is a Star network ATM Mastercard, there's only a 3% transaction fee and ATM's give you some of the best exchange rates. I plan to leave the card with her mom as well when she comes over so we can easily continue sending her family money. Hope this helps ya.

My husband transfers money to help pay the mortgage after I winded up the business in anticipation of migration. He initially gave me a ATM/debit card that charged 3% transaction fee. But, recently he found one that charges only $1.50 per transaction (maximum $500 per transaction). It allows one transaction within 24 hours. The bank he uses is Old Second in IL, if you inquire around, maybe other banks also have similar service?

In order for me to use at the local bank ATMs, the card has to be one that belongs to one of the Cirrus/Star/Martercard/Visa/Plus networks though.

Leah

Edited May 20, 2008 by Todd-Leah

[frostysoftyeaton 6]

i help out quite a bit while not rich definetly have more than she does and i have asked her to quite her job so she will have time to spend with her family till she comes over here so it is only right i support her but frustrating enough she never tells me when she needs money i usually have to guess

[frostysoftyeaton 6]

Not sure if i will get flamed for this....not intentionally being provocative but...how did these people manage before you (USC) become involved with them?

as with the others understand your question my fiance managed to support herself and her brother barely but she did manage as any relationship exspences pick up for both parties as i am able to afford why shouldn't i help pay and now that i have asked her to quite her job so she can have more time with her family i feel it is my responsibility

[Lancep 0]

I have sent my fiance in Belarus at least $500 a month (sometimes $1000) since we met. I started by getting her an ATM card through I-Kobo, which worked great until I-Kobo stopped servicing Belarus due to U.S. sanctions. Then we switched to Western Union, which also works great but is considerably more expensive (I-Kobo was $20 or less to send $500, WU is more like $60). Just about every bank in Minsk is a WU agent. I have also left her with U.S. cash each time I've visited.

[*JG* 2]

Not sure if i will get flamed for this....not intentionally being provocative but...how did these people manage before you (USC) become involved with them?

I will not flame you for this comment. If I put what I really think about this subject into words, they would probably burn me at the stake.

[william_wallace 8]

Not sure if i will get flamed for this....not intentionally being provocative but...how did these people manage before you (USC) become involved with them?

I will not flame you for this comment. If I put what I really think about this subject into words, they would probably burn me at the stake.

!!!Cough!!!

[gilberto y mixal 0]

Hi,YMR. I send my wife money every two weeks for necessities like rent,food,etc, primarily because I love her with all my heart, we are seperated by 3500 miles+ but she has my heart there with her. Also My I130 &I129F were both aprv'd 5-19, we are so happy, I can't express the feeling, i know its only the first step, but I hear the rest W/B quicker.