Money and the People We Love

The short answer: Most of us don't work this hard for the money itself. We work so the people we love, here and back home, are fed, housed and safe. The best way to honor that work is to pay less to send it, check every request for money before you pay, and keep a clear record of what you send.

There is a line widely shared online under Morgan Freeman's name: “Most men don't need money to be happy. They want money to make people they love happy.” We could not find a verified source showing he said it, so we share it as a saying from the internet, not as a quote. But anyone who has stood in line at a money-transfer counter on payday knows it rings true.

How much money do immigrant families send home?

A lot. The World Bank estimated that remittances to low- and middle-income countries would reach $685 billion in 2024, more than foreign direct investment and official development aid combined. Mexico alone was expected to receive about $68 billion.

Behind those numbers are ordinary paychecks: a cook sending tuition money to Puebla, a home health aide paying for her father's medicine in Manila, a roofer helping build a house back home one cinder block at a time. That money pays for school uniforms, doctor visits, roofs and weddings.

How much does it cost to send money abroad?

More than it should. The World Bank's Remittance Prices Worldwide database puts the global average cost of sending money at 6.36 percent of the amount sent. That is more than double the 3 percent target the United Nations set for 2030. On a $300 transfer every month, a few percentage points can add up to well over a hundred dollars a year, money that could have reached your family instead.

Federal rules help you compare. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau explains that a remittance provider must show you the fees, taxes, exchange rate and amount to be delivered before and after you pay. In most cases you can cancel within 30 minutes at no charge, and you have 180 days to report an error. Compare two or three services before you choose.

How do scammers go after money sent to family?

Scammers know immigrant families are generous and often in a hurry. Consumers reported losing $15.9 billion to fraud in 2025, according to the Federal Trade Commission, and the FTC says the real total is likely higher. Common tricks include a call from a “relative” in an emergency, a fake “immigration official” demanding a fee, or a stranger who insists you can only pay by wire, gift card or cryptocurrency.

The FTC's advice is simple: never wire money to someone you haven't met in person, and be wary of anyone who says there is only one way to pay. If a family member calls in a panic, hang up and call back at the number you already know. The FTC keeps a page on scams against immigrants, and you can report fraud at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Our guide to protecting your family from immigration scams covers notario fraud and more.

How can Inmigrante.Help help with sending money home?

Our Money & Finances tools were built for families like yours. You can log each transfer, including who received it, which service you used, the amount and the fee, and see how much you have sent and how much has gone to fees over time. For many currencies, the app shows an exchange-rate estimate as you type, so you know roughly what will arrive. A simple budget and income tracker sits right beside it. For more tips, read our guide on how to send money home safely.

Money will never be the point. The point is the voice on the phone saying the medicine arrived, or the photo of a child in a new school uniform. Work hard, send wisely, protect every dollar, and let the people you love feel it.

This article is general information, not legal or financial advice. A companion piece is in the Smith App Studio Journal.