Introduction
You’ve gone shopping, bought a new watch and want to send it to your friend as a gift. You don’t have any cash and don’t want to pay for the shipping costs; what do you do? The answer is simple: You buy a money order. Money orders are the most practical solution to the problem of not having cash for the deduction of money or transportation. Money orders are an easy way to send and receive money worldwide.
What Is A Money Order?
A money order is a payment tool that you can use to send and receive money. The U.S Postal Service issues the money order, but there are many other organizations like banks, credit unions, and retail stores who will offer you this service as well. The process of purchasing a money order is simple. You take the check or cash, fill up the form and buy a money order at a local store or post office. The information of the purchased money order is then sent to a service provider who will use the information to fund the money order and send it to the recipient.
How Does A Money Order Work?
Money orders work pretty much the same as checks do. You can cash a money order at any store that accepts them by paying for it with cash, borrowing money or sending the money order for payment. The difference between a check and a money order is that no financial institution is involved in the payment process, i.e., you don’t need to be connected to some banking system to use a money order. A bank account is not needed either, and you don’t even need to show an ID.
Places to Purchase A Money Order
There are multiple places you can purchase a money order which include:
1. US Postal Service
They will have a list of money order vendors you can choose from; after picking a vendor, you will have to fill out the form and choose the amount of money you would like to send by money order. The post office then enters the information on your check, sells it with the required funds for said amount, and then sends it off to the recipient.
2. Retail Stores
Retail stores usually have a small amount of cash on account, so the store will help you buy a money order. After filling up the form and choosing the amount the money order is used, you receive it and transfer it back to the recipient.
3. Banks and Credit Unions
Local banks and credit unions offer this service in the same way as retail stores do. You go to your local branch, fill out the form, choose the amount of money you would like to send by money order, and then choose a service provider.
4. Online Money Order
Some online money order providers like PayPal will help you buy a money order from their website and send it to your chosen recipient.
How Much Do Money Orders Cost?
The amount of the money order depends upon where you buy it and the amount you send. The money order price varies depending on the country, state, and region. The average cost of a money order is to . The amount of money that you can send with a money order is usually between 0 and ,000.
When Are Money Orders Useful?
Money orders are always helpful, even when you don’t need to offer a gift but want to send some cash. There are many other situations when you can use a money order like:
1. Paying bills
You can buy a money order and pay the due amount without having the hassle of cash or a credit card.
2. Maintain privacy and security
They are a safe way to send money. You don’t need to worry about being traced or stealing your information from the recipient.
3. Paying for something you purchased on the internet
Using this method, you can pay for purchases without needing cash or a debit card that you have been away from for a long time because of its high transaction fees.
Pros of Money Orders
Money orders are a great alternative to using cash in the United States. Cash always has the chance of being lost or stolen, but cash is not insured for any loss under any circumstances. A money order costs less than shipping an entire box full of items, so it’s also convenient for small and large shipments alike. If a package is lost in the mail, you pay for the money order and send a new one. Money orders are also accepted in many countries worldwide, so you can send money to family, friends or relatives who live abroad from all around the world.
Cons of Money Orders
The overall cost of a money order is greater than the cost of shipping something large and bulky. The service provider who sends the money order will charge an administrative fee to process the money order. You also have to pay extra charges to send a large amount of money. The recipient will also be charged some fees when they receive the money order, but it is always lower than what it would cost for you to send them cash in an envelope through regular mail.
Security Tips
The security of your money order is up to you. Once you have received the money order, please take it to a safe place where you can keep it away from prying eyes, rip it open and read the instructions carefully before sending it off to the recipient. If there are any signs of interference on the package, don’t send it and contact your local police department or legal agency for advice on what you should do next.
Conclusion
Money orders are a practical and easy way to send money. You can buy them in local stores, use them to pay bills or as a convenient method of sending money that is more secure than cash. The pros and cons are simple, but the convenience of sending and receiving money is enough to consider using money orders for your business or personal needs.
