What Is a Money Order? What is a Money Order? and where you can purchase one Advertiser disclosure We make you our top priority. Each every time. We believe everyone should be able make financial decisions without hesitation. And while our site doesn’t feature every company or financial product in the marketplace, we’re proud that the advice we provide as well as the advice we provide and the tools we create are objective, independent easy to use and cost-free. So how do we make money? Our partners compensate us. This may influence which products we write about (and the way they appear on our website) However, it does not affect our recommendations or advice that are based on thousands of hours of study. Our partners do not pay us to guarantee favorable reviews of their products or services. . What is a money order? What is a Money Order works and where to Purchase One A money order is a guaranteed payment which you can buy from places like Walmart, the post office as well as your bank. Written by Margarette Burnette Savings accounts and money market accounts banks Margarette Burnette is an expert financial expert who has been writing about bank accounts from before even the Great Recession. Her work has been published in major newspapers. Prior to joining NerdWallet, Margarette was a freelance journalist who had bylines in magazines like Good Housekeeping, and Parenting. She is based in Atlanta, Georgia. Nov 23, 2022 Edited by Yuliya Goldshteyn Assistant editor Yuliya Goldshteyn is a bank editor with NerdWallet. She previously worked as an editor as well as a researcher and writer in industries ranging from healthcare and market research. She earned a bachelor’s degree in history at University of California, Berkeley. University of California, Berkeley and a master’s degree in sociology from the University of Chicago. She can be reached at
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Our opinions are our own. Below is a list and . Table of Contents Table of Contents Key points to remember about money orders A money order is a reliable substitute for cash and a personal check; it works like the check and you can cash it out or deposit it into an account at a bank. If cash or personal checks puts the risk of being harmed or aren’t accepted for payment, you can choose to use a money-order instead. Cash or the debit card to purchase money orders at the post office, Walmart, Western Union and other places. How do money order transactions work? A money order is a small piece of paper that’s a safe alternative to personal checks or cash. You choose who receives the money order, and you and that person who will receive it must sign the order in order for it to be legal that reduces theft. It is also possible to prepay money orders when you buy it. You can purchase them from U.S. post offices, Walmart, Western Union and other places. There are many that have a limit of $1,000 and include those that you buy at banks. Generallyspeaking, you need to pay for money orders with cash or a debit card. Money orders is a good option for sending money if you don’t have a bank account or you don’t wish to share your banking information to the person receiving it. Money orders: Advantages and cons There are benefits and disadvantages to making use of a money order. Be aware of these advantages and disadvantages before you decide to use one. Pros: No bank account is required to send or receive a money order. Money orders are readily available. Cons When a money order is cashable (or lost) or lost, it is difficult, if it is not impossible to get your money back, even if it was because of fraud or a scam. Cash advance charges may apply and interest if purchased with a credit card. (Read the details about .) What can I do to purchase an order for money? Consider how and to whom you’ll pay: Prepare using cash or a debit card, your name, the person who will be paying and the amount you’d like to pay. Credit card payments might be possible, but typically, it will cost more. Fill it out in addition to the name of the person who is paying, you’ll need to add your name (and perhaps the address) and sign the money order. (For steps-by-step instructions follow NerdWallet’s tutorial on .) Be sure to verify that all information is correct because you won’t be able to change the information afterward. Keep the receipt: The receipt will be an exact carbon duplicate of the money-order or a paper slip recording the details entered into the cashier’s note. You may need it to trace your money order or contact the location where you received it. Track your money order: Your receipt will also have an identification number you can utilize to confirm that the money order got to the recipient you intended. If there are any issues, contact the place where you bought the money order for assistance. Return to top Where can I get a money order? What is the cost of the cost of a money order? You can purchase an order for money at the post office, Walmart, Western Union and other places. Domestic money orders have various costs, from under a dollar up to $5 depending on where you buy them. You can find a cheaper price at Walmart or an upscale supermarket or convenience store however, you’ll usually be charged more at banks. Some banks don’t offer international money orders; some postal offices will, however they’re more expensive than money orders for domestic customers. No matter where you purchase them, it’s better to buy money orders in person. Provider Cost Walmart Up to $1. Agents for money transfer (convenience stores supermarkets, convenience stores, etc.) It depends on the service supplier. For instance, certain San Francisco-area Western Union providers charge $1. U.S. Postal Service up 500$: $1.65. $501-$1000: $2.20. Money orders for military: 55 cents. international (up of $700): $49.65. Credit unions and banks rely upon the institution that they work with. Often around $5. >> Looking for more options for sending fund s ? We have a list of . What does a money order cost at some of the largest U.S. banks? Here is an infographic containing the cost of money orders and the availability of some well-known banks. Note that many banks will only offer money orders to accountholders. + Click here to learn about the price of money orders and availability at the most well-known banks. Bank Money Order Information There is no offer. , Member FDIC Not available. Not offered. Five dollars for up to $1,000 Free to premium account holders. Must be purchased in an office. $5; $5 for premium checking customers. $5 For premium customers with a checking account. $5 Free for premium customers who use their checking accounts. $5; free for members in the army. Up to $1,000 for $5. It must be bought at a branch. Back to top When do I need to use money orders? There are times when cash or personal checks could expose you to risk or aren’t acceptable as payment. Here are four instances why cash orders can be the best option for payment: You have to send money securely. Contrary to checks, money orders don’t include the bank account number and help to ensure that only the person who is receiving it can use it, unlike the process of sending cash. Are you worried about the possibility of the possibility of bouncing a check. Since the money orders are prepaid, they won’t be rejected for insufficient funds. Another option: A certified check or cashier’s check both of which ensure payment and don’t necessarily have an amount limit of $1,000, as do many money orders. ( as well .) If you’re sending money overseas. Some money orders don’t work internationally, however U.S. Postal Service money orders can be sent to about 25 countries. Another option: A wire transfer (see ), if you need the money there quicker and you are willing to spend more. Or check out our . You don’t have an account at a bank. Because the money orders you need to pay in advance, you do not need an account at a bank, but you can still pay bills safely. A helpful tip for those who don’t have a bank account, another option for paying for regular purchases and other bills is to use the . Back to the top Savings Cash Management CD Checking Money Market A savings account is an account where you can save money in a safe manner with interest. Savings accounts are the perfect place to keep your money safe as well as earn interest. FDIC SoFi Savings and Checking APY 3.75% FDIC SoFi Savings and Checking APR 3.75% SoFi members who have direct deposit get up to 3.75% per year in annual percentage return (APY) for savings accounts (including Vaults) and 2.50 percent APY on checking balances. The minimum direct deposit amount that is required to be eligible for 3.75% APY for savings and 2.50 percent APY on checking balances. Customers who do not deposit direct deposits will receive 1.20 percent APY on all account balances, including savings and checking (including vaults). Interest rates are variable and may change at any point. These rates are current as of 01/04/2023. Additional information can be found at http://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet Min. balance for APY $0 Member FDIC Marcus by Goldman Sachs Online Savings account APR 3.50 35% 3.50% APY (annual percentage yield) with a balance of zero to earn stated APY. Accounts must be in positive balance in order to be open. APY valid as of 02/07/2023. Min. balance for APY $0 These cash accounts offer a variety of services and features comparable to checking, savings or investment accounts into one. These accounts for managing cash are generally provided by non-bank financial institutions. These cash accounts combine features and services that are similar to savings, checking and investment accounts into one account. These accounts for managing cash are generally offered by non-bank financial establishments. on Wealthfront’s website Wealthfront Cash Accounts APY 4.05 percent min. Balance of APY $1 on the Betterment website. Betterment Cash Reserve, Paid non-client promotions APY 4.00 percent annually percent rate (variable) is at 02/06/2023. Min. balance for APY $0 CDs (certificates of deposits) are a type of savings account that comes with fixed rates and terms generally, they come with higher interest rates than regular savings accounts. CDs (certificates of deposit) are a kind of savings account with fixed rates and terms, and usually have higher interest rates than regular savings accounts. CIT Bank CD APY 4.60% 1.5 years Term 1.5 year FDIC Marcus by Goldman Sachs High-Yield CD APY 4.6 FDIC Marcus by Goldman Sachs High-Yield CD APY 4.40 percent 4.40% APY (annual percentage yield) as of 01/25/2023 Term 1 year 1 year Member FDIC SoFi Savings and Checking APY 2.50% SoFi members with direct deposit may receive up 3.75 per cent annual percentage yield (APY) in savings account balances (including Vaults) and 2.50% APY on checking balances. No minimum amount of direct deposit that is required to earn the 3.75% APY for savings and 2.50% APY for checking balances. Customers who do not deposit direct deposits are eligible to earn 1.20% APY on all account balances of savings and checking (including vaults). The rates of interest are subject to fluctuation and are subject to change at any time. The rates listed are current at 01/04/2023. Additional information can be found at http://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet Monthly fee $0 Upgrade Rewards Checking APY N/A Monthly fee $0 Deposits are FDIC Insured Current Account APY N/A Monthly fee $0 Deposits are FDIC Insured Chime Checking Account APY N/A Monthly fee $0 Member FDIC Axos Bank(r) Rewards Checking APY 1.25% Receive monthly direct deposits totaling $1,500 or more to earn 0.40% APY. Make use of the Axos Visa(r) debit card for up to 10 transactions per calendar month (min three dollars per purchase) or sign up for Account Aggregation/Personal Financial Manager (PFM) within Online Banking to earn 0.30 percent APR. Maintain an average daily balance of $2,500 per month within an Axos managed Portfolios Investment Account in order to receive 0.20% APY. Maintain an average daily balance of $2,500 within An Axos Self Directed Trading Invest Account in order to receive 0.20% APR. Utilize the Rewards checking account to make your full month’s Axos customer loan payment to earn 0.15% annual percentage yield. Monthly fee $0 Money market accounts have rates that are similar to savings accounts and have some checking features. Market accounts earn rates similar to savings accounts, and come with some checking features. Member FDIC UFB’s Best Money Market APR 4.21% Min. balance for APY $1 member FDIC Discover Bank Money Market Account APY 3.20 Percentage Min. Balance for APY $1 Money order tracking It’s fairly easy to figure the location of a money order is as long as you’ve kept the receipt. However, the procedure varies according to the issuer. The U.S. Postal Service and MoneyGram allow users to track their online transactions using details like the serial number on your receipt and the amount of your purchase. Your bank should be able give you the exact information. Without the receipt, you’ll likely be required to file a request to discover your money order’s serial number as well as that’s costly and lengthy. For MoneyGram, for example the fee is $40, and can take 60 days to take to process. Make sure you track the money order to the actual provider — it might include Western Union or MoneyGram even when you bought it from a convenience store. The money order should clearly show or state who the provider is. Return to top About The author Margarette Burnette is a expert in the field of savings accounts at NerdWallet. She has had her work featured in USA Today and The Associated Press. On a similar note… Discover the best savings account. See NerdWallet’s picks for the best high yield online savings accounts. Dive even deeper in Banking Make smarter money decisions right to your inbox. Sign up and we’ll send you Nerdy articles about the money topics which matter to you the most along with other ways to get more value from your money.
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