Sending money home is usually the easy part. Deciding how much and how often to send is more complex.
The truth is, there isn’t a number that’s considered “right.” Every family’s needs are different, and your own circumstances matter just as much as the people you’re helping. A plan that works for someone else may not work for you, and that’s okay.
Rather than searching for the perfect amount, it helps to think about a few practical questions.
It’s natural to wonder what everyone else sends. While averages can provide helpful context, they don’t tell the whole story.
According to the United Nations, many migrant workers send between $200 and $300 every one to two months, or roughly 15% of their earnings. Around 75% of those funds go toward essential needs like food, housing, healthcare, and education. Every year, people around the world send more than $700 billion to support family members and loved ones.
Those numbers show just how important remittances are, but they aren’t a recommendation. The right amount depends on your own finances, your family’s needs, and what you’re trying to accomplish with each transfer.
Here are a few questions to help you decide.
Supporting your loved ones shouldn’t mean putting yourself in a difficult financial position. Before deciding how much to send, take a look at your own monthly expenses, savings goals, and other financial commitments.
A transfer plan works best when it’s sustainable. Sending an amount you can comfortably maintain over time is often more helpful than stretching your budget one month and struggling the next.
Most people don’t send money for exactly the same reason every month.
One transfer might help cover groceries or rent. The next could go toward school fees, medical expenses, or an unexpected repair. Around holidays or special occasions, you may choose to send a little extra for celebrations or travel.
What you’re helping pay for often influences how much you decide to send, and that’s okay. Your transfers can change as your family’s needs change.
The same amount of money can go much further in one country than another. Understanding local prices can help you estimate how much support your transfer will provide.
If you’re unsure, ask your loved one about their biggest monthly expenses. A conversation about what would be most helpful can take the guesswork out of deciding how much to send.
Helping one parent occasionally looks very different from helping an entire household every month. Some people send money to cover one specific expense, while others help support multiple family members on an ongoing basis.
Every family’s situation is unique, so comparing your transfers to someone else’s usually isn’t very helpful.
Instead of trying to match an average, focus on finding an amount that fits your own budget while providing meaningful support to the people who count on you.
Just like there’s no one “right” amount to send, there’s no single schedule that works for everyone. The best timing depends on your budget, your loved one’s needs, and how you prefer to manage your finances.
Many people choose to send money monthly because it lines up with recurring expenses like rent, groceries, utilities, or school costs. A predictable schedule can make it easier for your loved ones to budget and plan ahead, especially if they rely on your support for everyday essentials.
Others prefer to send larger amounts less often. For example, you might send money every other month, quarterly, or whenever a major expense comes up. This approach can work well if your family has irregular financial needs or if you’d rather set aside money over time before making a transfer.
Neither approach is better than the other. What matters most is choosing a schedule you can realistically maintain.
Consistency often matters more than sending exactly the same amount every time. Life changes. You may get a raise, face unexpected expenses, or need to adjust your budget from time to time. Likewise, your loved one’s needs may change throughout the year. Building some flexibility into your plan can help you continue providing support without putting unnecessary pressure on your own finances.
If you’re trying to decide on a schedule, ask yourself a few simple questions:
Your answers can help you build a routine that works for both of you.
Once you’ve decided how much and how often to send, the process itself should be simple.
With MoneyGram, you can send money to loved ones in 200+ countries and territories through the MoneyGram website or app. Depending on the destination, your receiver may be able to choose the option that works best for them, including:
Before you confirm your transfer, you’ll see the fees and exchange rate upfront, so you’ll know exactly what to expect. After you send, you can track your transfer for added peace of mind.
For more than 85 years, MoneyGram has helped people stay connected to the people who matter most. Today, we’re trusted by 50+ million customers around the world and have earned an average 4.9-star rating in the App Store.
If you’re sending money to a specific country, check out our country guides for information about delivery options, transfer limits, and what your receiver may need to collect their money.
When you’re ready to send, MoneyGram helps you support your loved ones with a fast, convenient, and trusted money transfer experience.
