Another QUick Question

[Sakuger]

Hi guys, this question is trivial, but for those of you who doesn't have a bank account on the island, how did you guys pay for all your bills and other stuff because I thought US checks are not allowed? Also, if I were to open an account on the island, I can just pay with the checks from the bank right? Do you guys recommend savings or checkings account?

Thanks a whole bunch, once again!

[levator]

Hi guys, this question is trivial, but for those of you who doesn't have a bank account on the island, how did you guys pay for all your bills and other stuff because I thought US checks are not allowed? Also, if I were to open an account on the island, I can just pay with the checks from the bank right? Do you guys recommend savings or checkings account?

Thanks a whole bunch, once again!

people that dont have bank accounts use their atm card. i dont know of any students that have local checks on st. maarten. you can take out 600 dollars max per day with an atm card. if you required more, for your rent for example, you can go into the bank and with your atm card or check card and withdraw more. pretty much everything is done with cash. if you open an account on the island, with Scotia bank for example, you will use the atm card they give you and get cash. I dont know about other banks on the island, but the only account option with scotia is called a nonresident US dollar account. this is a savings account that pays interest. its free if you keep more than 500 dollars in it.

i hope that answers your question.

later,

[grace]

you can take out 600 dollars max per day with an atm card.

It all depends on your bank back home. My max is $500/day while others I know can only get out $300.

[levator]

you can take out 600 dollars max per day with an atm card.

It all depends on your bank back home. My max is $500/day while others I know can only get out $300.

oh ok... scotia atm cards allow 600 dollar max.

[wifeofDr2b]

Regardless of the set limit on your ATM card, you can talk to someone at the bank and in most cases, you can have it increased to a little higher than what it is pre-set for. That's what we did and know of others who have done the same. And at that point, if you go to an ATM which will only allow X amt of dollars out at one time but your daily limit is higher, you can just do seperate ATM transactions and the only thing to take note of is if your bank charges an ATM fee per transaction. The other option is going inside of the bank and doing a cash advance on your ATM card and I know Scotia Bank prefers you have 2 forms of ID if you don't have an account there. If it is a high amount of money, your student ID won't work so to be safe just bring your passport and your drivers license from the states (or from SXM if you are the minority who have one!).

[Sakuger]

a bunch, guys, that really helped. One more quick question, do I need to get my own wireless card for wireless internet service or the service provider like IDL will lease me a wireless card?

Thanks again

[anencephalic]

Buy your own...it makes a lot more sense. I just purchased a Wireless "G" card for my laptop for $29.99 (Best Buy, after $20 mail-in rebate). Boolchands on front street wanted $150 for theirs (after the "discount" :shock: ). Ultimately, you'll save more by having your own than leasing one from IDL (if they even do that.).

Aloha,