On a Postcard

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If you would count yourself as young and beautiful, then this is the beauty contest for you!

Look of the Year is basically the online version of the likes of Miss World and Mr Universe but with the differences that the model isn’t voted on by some appointed jury but by us, the users of the Internet.

It’s running all year with top 10 lists each month and the final winners in each of the four categories (men & women, either 14-19 or 19+) announced on December 31st. For loads more information, head over to http://www.lookoftheyear.com where you can sign yourself up.

Popularity: 7% [?]

Most people see the sign that says “commission free” and figure that they’re not paying anything to get their money changed. Boy, is that an expensive mis-understanding!

In fact, regardless of whether or not you’re getting your holiday money commission free or paying a commission, the charge generally works out at close to 7%. This is why it’s almost always cheaper to use your debit/credit card abroad to withdraw money so long as you know how they apply charges to that.

Typically, withdrawing money on a debit card will cost you around 2% (minimum £2) of a transaction fee plus around 3% of a foreign exchange fee. Using the same card to buy things will avoid the transaction fee usually (there are some exceptions, notably Halifax who charge it on their debit cards but not on their credit cards). However, you’re going to need some cash so the best you can do without changing banks is to withdraw amounts of around £100 at a time which at least keeps the fee down to 2%; this will cost you around £5 per £100 you withdraw.

If you’re willing to consider another bank, even if only for your holidays, go for the Nationwide Building Society which doesn’t charge anything to withdraw cash abroad (local banks may in some cases).

Popularity: 5% [?]