Italy on a Shoe String - Living ‘La Bella Vita’ Inexpensively

[JohnR]

Thanks for the info Shas, also Kim and David.

John

[nigelaxis]

My post is on currency exchange and is aimed at those who bring money into Italy from other currencies.

Many use a currency broker when buying property(let me know if we should write a post on this topic). But did you realise you can use one for smaller transfers? The minimum amounts vary with brokers, but I have spoken with a few that were happy to do transfers of as low as £2k. This can be amounts at random and does not need to be on a direct debit.

One company I spoke with was 'Smart Currency'. They would allow you to specify the rate you wanted to target(being realistic of course) and they would complete the transaction. They would also transfer to your Italian account for free and this would save me £20 in bank charges.

As a typical benifit, I would say you can be €70 per £1000 better off this way, plus any savings on bank charges. I base this on a spot check where Barclays offered me 1.41 and Smart money would have got me 1.48.

For me, I would recommend this facility for doing a number of lump sum transfers.

[tuscanhills]

Originally Posted by nigelaxis

......let me know if we should write a post on this topic....

I reckon that'd be a great idea. That can become a sticky too.

[nigelaxis]

Originally Posted by tuscanhills

I reckon that'd be a great idea. That can become a sticky too.

Okay Tusanhills, I will do a lttle more research and then open the topic.

[The Smiths in Puglia]

Is there a link for Smart Money - I`ve done a search and don`t want to end up with the wrong one!!

[nigelaxis]

Originally Posted by The Smiths in Puglia

Is there a link for Smart Money - I`ve done a search and don`t want to end up with the wrong one!!

I have amended my post so that you can click straight through. But the site address is http://www.smartcurrencyexchange.com

[Heidihi58]

I don't know if dried beans are a lot cheaper in Italy like they are here, but here to prepare them quickly I soak them in boiling water for an hour, then cook them in a pressure cooker. Kidney beans for example only take 10 minutes or so. That's got to save money in lots of ways I should think!

[Anastasia]

Duh! Why didn't I think of that? Pressure cookers are great for the dried beans Heidi.. and cheaper cuts of meat can be used if a pressure cooker is used for stews and suchlike.

I'm sure the dry beans are cheaper in Italy also - I just never buy them - my neighbours keep giving kilo's of the damn things.. and I'm too lazy to soak them. Want some? :D

[Heidihi58]

Being as my friend and I will both be at the 'wrong' end of our divorce/separation we'll probably need some!! Keep these tips coming....:)

[shas]

It depends where you buy your beans!In Sorana in the Valdienevole area of Tuscany they are Fagioli de Sorana D.O.C and 15-20 euros a kilo...
shas