Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Finding WiFi Worldwide

For those of you with I-phones, I-touches or I-pads there is what could be a useful free app: Wi Fi Finder.  You can download their data base of 340,000 Wi Fi locations worldwide so that you can find a hotspot when you are offline.

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Minimizing Foreign Exchange Transactions

Before foreign exchange transactions enter your RED ZONE, you may want to consider this:


Exchange Rate Fees

Sample ATM fees (assessed only by the home bank):

  • ING Direct – 2% with no transaction fee.
  • Citibank – if you use your card in their network they charge you 3% and no transaction fee.  If you go outside the network you pay $1.50 per transaction.
  • Bank of America -  If you have a Bank of America checking account with a debit card you can withdraw local currency, with no added fees, from ATMs operated by Barclay’s Bank in the U.K., BNP Paribas in France, Deutsche Bank in Germany, Santander Serfin in Mexico, Scotiabank in Canada, and Westpac in Australia and New Zealand. Best of all, you are not assessed the usual one-percent exchange fee.  Be cautious, however, because they will charge you $5 per ATM withdrawal if you get cash outside the network listed above.
  • Local Credit Union – be aware that every credit union has their own fees. You may wish to contact your local credit union to see their rates.


Foreign Currency Exchange Using Credit Cards:

Credit Cards are by far the most convenient way to purchase your items overseas.  Most offer high levels of fraud security if lost or stolen.  The biggest drawback with the credit card is the exchange rate fees.  Here is a sample listing of the fees at some larger credit card companies:
  • Capital One – 0% – Capital One has very sensitive overseas fraud monitors in place.  Always call and pre-notify them of your travel plans before leaving the country.
  • American Express – 2.7% – Compared to Visa and MasterCard, American Express is accepted at fewer locations overseas.
  • Citibank (Citicard) – 3%
  • Chase – 3%
  • Bank of America 3%
For those of you lucky enough to be traveling overseas for an extended period, you may want to explore the Capital One Venture Card:

Credit Card Review

 by Card Expert Curtis Arnold
This card offers major rewards and more flexibility but without the annual fee. There is no limit to the miles you can earn and your miles won't expire. The credit card holder earns 1.25 miles per dollar spent on every purchase. This is a "No Hassle" card, which means you can use your card for airfare, cruise tickets, hotel stays or rental cars from any web site or travel agency and redeem your miles online or by phone to get reimbursed for your purchase. There are no foreign transaction fees. There is a lengthy 0% introductory rate on purchases and then variable APR thereafter. There is no balance transfer fee but a downside includes higher than average balance transfer APR. This card requires excellent credit.

See you all when I return from Italy.

Friday, March 4, 2011

Time to Use the Census Data

The Census replies you provided are summarized and will now enter the RED ZONE.  Among other uses, the data will be used to reapportion Congress.  You may see an overview of the results at:

                    http://2010.census.gov/2010census/data/

For the states I frequent, the population changes were: GA and NC up over 18%, MI down 0.6%

For some specific information on Northeast North Carolina see:
 

http://hamptonroads.com/2011/03/census-nc-population-soars-near-virginia-border