Aussie dollar back over 85 US cents

[AgOnNy]

Hopefully it will swing back, did a similar last time. Hopefully....

[unfnknblvbl]

I hope so. That camera's not going to buy itself, you know...

[Vzzzbx]

What the fuck is going on? The whole world economy is in the fucking pooper except for a few including Australia, yet our dollar is copping the shit? What? WHAT THE FUCK?

Commodities.

[Pat]

At least its stil over 85c

[Pointy Cat]

It'll go back up at some point. Long term the USD still has issues.

[mech]

Fun's over boys.

And I have a trip to Hawaii in three weeks

That's why I prepay all my holidays now.. got burnt badly going to Japan in 2008.

Have been reasonably okay on my current european trip.

[pilonv1]

Yeah I was lucky, I booked all my accommodation and inter island flights three weeks ago when it was around $1.05.

Still hovering around 98c, as long as it's over 95 when I go I'll be happy.

[pilonv1]

Back over $1.01, even hit $1.02 today. Crisis averted just in time for my trip next week

[Cardsy]

Phew. I feel much better now you have more disposable income to spend on your holiday.

[Talez]

What the fuck is going on? The whole world economy is in the fucking pooper except for a few including Australia, yet our dollar is copping the shit? What? WHAT THE FUCK?

Where do you put your money when even the banks are struggling to stay afloat?

The only place where bonds are as good as cash, US Treasuries. As soon as there's a whiff on serious instability the US dollar jumps as skittish investors need a place to stash their cash. 30 and 90-day T-Bill yields head toward zero yet again and all the Aussies bitch about their holidays being more expensive.

Because, you know, they still have jobs and can take time off without worrying about having a job to come back to.

[pilonv1]

Phew. I feel much better now you have more disposable income to spend on your holiday.

Good to know someone cares about me

Actually doesn't matter since I've paid fore everything and had my money exchanged before the drop. I'm more concerned about my Steam purchases moving forward.

[Cardsy]

Yep. Move on to the reel lyfe important issues!

[unfnknblvbl]

Where do you put your money when even the banks are struggling to stay afloat?

In Australian banks? Pretty sure they're not struggling to stay afloat, what with those record profits they keep posting.

[Talez]

Australian currency is vulnerable to currency fluctuations.

And we're talking safe places to put tens of millions in this example.

[pilonv1]

Yeah I was lucky, I booked all my accommodation and inter island flights three weeks ago when it was around $1.05.

Still hovering around 98c, as long as it's over 95 when I go I'll be happy.

About to head over to LA/NY/SF in a few weeks and it's happening again

I'm more concerned about my Steam purchases moving forward.

Still the most important issue, hopefully it gets back over $1 soon.

[General Chaos]

Good time to ask for tips on loading a card up with another currency pre trip?

I want to lock in some Yen while the conversion rate is around 100 which is unheard of,

GBP - Maybe
Euro I will probably just suck it up with whatever...

[mech]

If you're going to Japan, I recommend travellers checks over those prepaid cards - they were the best option when I went last, most hotels will exchange them for free.

[pilonv1]

I was looking at the pre-paid cards, most of them setup fees and stuff like 1% charges if you load more money on to them. I think the ANZ one has a 5 day delay between transferring funds and when they're available.

[emptyvessel]

Get a 28 Degrees MasterCard. There are no currency conversion fees, and if you pre-load enough cash onto it (ie go into the black) then you won't get slugged interest on cash advances from ATMs either.

Taken mine through south east Asia and North America with no issues (eg Cambodia and Mexico I had no probs at all.

[mech]

Can't lock in a rate though. But you can prepay your hotels with it.

[General Chaos]

Thanks for the tip mech.

I will prob get a 28 degrees card for ease of use in Europe/uk but will try and lock in some spending money at current rates too.

[pilonv1]

I opened a Citibank Plus account today. Basically the same as the 28degrees one but it's a debit visa. No charges overseas