A money order is a safe and secure way to transfer funds from one person to another. There are many reasons why you may need to place a money order; however, knowing where to get a money order is essential.
There are many places to get money orders, but they do have different fees, limits, and rules. We have put together a list of thirteen of the best places to get money orders near you.
One of these options should be a quick and simple solution to your money order needs.
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What Is A Money Order?
A money order is very similar to a check. Money orders will be made out to a person or institution, and they will have an exact dollar amount written on the check. The difference between the money order and the check is that the money order is already pre-paid.
When you use a check, you have no way of knowing if the funds are actually available in the account that it is withdrawing fun. However, with a money order, the funds will have already been paid and preapproved.
You could say that a money order is much more like cash than a traditional check.
Where Can I Get a Money Order Near Me?
Most grocery stores and pharmacies have money order capabilities. Finding a money order location near you should not be overly difficult. Here are ten of the top places to get a money order.
1. Kroger
If you live in a location that does not have the Kroger grocery stores, you won’t need to worry. Although Kroger is the parent company name, there are lots of other stores under the same umbrella as Kroger.
If you have a King Soopers, Smiths, Cala Foods, or Fred Meyer near you, chances are they will have the same money order capabilities that most Kroger stores have.
Not every Kroger will offer money orders, but most of the larger stores will.
Kroger uses Western Union as their provider, and they typically charge just less than a dollar for the money order. The limit will be anywhere from $500 to $1000, depending on the store’s individual location.
With all of the names in the Kroger brand, this is a good store to look for when you need a money order.
- Limit: $500 to $1,000
- Fee: .70 cents
- Provider: Western Union
2. Walmart
Walmart has over 4,500 stores around our nation. Most people live within an hour’s drive to a Walmart. Walmart works with MoneyGram to handle its money order services.
With a Walmart money order, you will pay about .70 cents. The fees will be in addition to the amount of money that you are trying to send.
The good thing about Walmart is that you can also cash in a Walmart money order at their store. This is a nice feature and not something that all locations that sell money orders will offer.
Typically when you cash in your Walmart money order, you will pay around $5.00. This depends on the size of the money order and any other applicable fees for your specific location.
- Limit: $1,000
- Fee: .70 cents
- Provider: MoneyGram
- Ability to cash a money order at Walmart: Yes
3. Kmart
There are not too many Kmart stores left standing; however, if you can find one, chances are you can also get a money order. Kmart is another location that will work with Western Union to handle their money orders.
A Kmart money order will cost around $1.00 based on the amount of the money order and your location. The Kmart money order limits also tend to be a bit lower than other stores or locations.
Typically you will be able to get a money order up to about $500. If you need something closer to $1000, you are better off going to Walmart.
Chances are you will have a much easier time finding the Walmart as well.
- Limit: $500
- Fee: 0.69 – $1.25
- Provider: Western Union
4. CVS
CVS is another store that you can find on almost any corner in an urban area. The CVS money orders are going to be issued by MoneyGram and usually cost just over a dollar.
People don’t often consider CVS for something like a money order. It does make it convenient if you need to get any personal care products at the same time as your money order.
Since CVS is not a financial institution, you are going to be limited on the amount of your money order. You will have a limit of $500 for a CVS money order.
This will deter some people who will choose large stores or financial institutions to reach higher limits.
- Limit: $500
- Fee: .99 cents
- Provider: MoneyGram
5. Meijer
Meijer grocery stores are only located in the middle states of America. You can find some Meijer stores in Indiana, Ohio, and even Michigan. If you happen to live in any of these states, you are certainly in luck.
Meijer has one of the lowest rates on money orders. Where most places are charging around $1.00, Meijer will only charge .65. Of course, there are limits on these money orders, and you won’t be able to spend more than $500.
If you send a lot of money orders, this is certainly a place to consider because the lower pricing will help you save some money in the end. Keep in mind that the Meijer stores are not located nationwide.
- Limit: $500
- Fee: .65 cents
- Provider: Western Union
6. Publix
Publix is another grocery store chain that mostly services the southern united states. With stores all throughout Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, and into the Carolinas as well.
Although Publix may be most well known for their subs, they also have the ability for people to purchase money orders.
A Publix money order is going to cost you around .85, and you will be able to spend up to around $500 on a money order. Cash money orders are something that Publix will not allow, so you must have the name of the recipient if you are planning on getting a money order from Publix.
Publix works with Western Union on their money orders, so if this is something that you have dealt with in the past, you probably know the reliability and requirements of working with Western Union.
- Limit: $500
- Fee: .85 cents
- Provider: Western Union
7. A Local Bank
A bank is one of the most obvious places to look when you need a money order. You would think with the ease of access to money that a bank would be the top spot for people to get money orders from. The problem is that the fees and rates at a bank are often quite a bit higher.
Where you may pay less than a dollar at a grocery store, you can end up paying several dollars for a money order at a bank. If the bank that you are getting the money order from is your typical bank, they may offer you a lower rate for your money order.
However, if you have no current relationship with the bank, you will pay very high fees for your money order. Depending on what the money order is for and the limit, the bank is not always the best choice.
The positive of using a bank is that the limits on the money order are usually a bit higher. However, this is not always the case.
If you think that you feel best with a financial institution handling your money order, try to go to the bank you already have a relationship with.
8. Post Office
A post office is a major part of every town. Post offices do a great job of bringing us mail, but they are also an excellent spot for getting passports and even money orders.
If you have never tried getting a money order from the post office in the past, it is actually quite easy.
When you go to a post office, you can ask them for a money order, and you will be able to spend up to $1000. The price for a post office money order is usually between $1.20 and $1.70. The pricing will depend on the size of the money order.
Since the post office sells their own personal money orders, they also accept money orders that need to be cashed in. Cashing in a money order at a local post office should not be all that difficult.
Make sure that you bring your ID and keep an eye on what the fees may be. Fees could potentially be a bit higher at a post office.
- Limit: $1,000
- Fee: $1.20 for money orders up to $500, $1.65 for money orders more than $500
- Provider: United States Postal Service
9. Your Local Check Cashing Company
Check cashing companies are a convenient place to get a money order. The only problem with check cashing companies is that their fees are usually quite a bit higher. Convenience is a factor that always raises prices.
Chances are you have several check cashing companies in your area. Try to give them a call first and see what the fees are from one to the next. Although money orders don’t usually have large fees, having a general idea of what they are going to cost is certainly smart.
Many check-cashing companies will also help you cash in your money order. Again, remember that check cashing companies have higher rates than other financial institutions. You may be better off cashing in your money order somewhere else.
10. Online Companies
When you purchase a money order online, it will be slightly different from when you purchase it in a store. You can use companies like Western Union or MoneyGram to help you transfer money from one person to another.
The person will then have the ability to go to a location and collect their money, or it can be sent to a bank account.
When you purchase a money order or transfer money using an online company, you must make sure that you fully understand the process and the fees involved.
If you want to do something electronically, sometimes it is best to look for transfer options using your local financial institution. These transfer options are likely much easier, and sometimes they are less expensive as well.
What gas stations sell money orders?
A gas station can be a great place to get a money order because they are located in so many areas. Chances are your town will have one of these types of gas stations within a few miles.
Always remember that not all gas stations are going to have the same features and capabilities, and you should always call ahead if you are going way out of your way to getting to the gas station.
11. 7 Eleven
Each 7 Eleven is under different ownership, so, therefore, you may not see the same money order options from one location to the next. Most 7 Eleven locations will have either a MoneyGram or a Western Union for you to choose from.
The price of a money order from 7 Eleven will also vary depending on the location. Some places will charge a percentage of the total amount of the money order, and others will charge a flat rate.
One thing to keep in mind is that 7 Eleven locations do not allow you to cash in your money order. Even if your order originated at a 7 Eleven location, you would have to find another area to cash in the order.
This is important to keep this in mind depending on who you are sending the order to and what they may have located around them.
- Limit: $500
- Fee: 1-3% of the total amount, the minimum fee is $0.65
- Provider: MoneyGram or Western Union
12. Circle K
Circle K is a very popular money order location. If you have a local Circle K, they probably have t the ability for you to get a money order. The price for a Circle K money order will be around $1.00.
It’s important to note that Circle K will only accept cash for the money order, and not all locations are going to offer the money order. Sometimes you will see a sign located on the outside of the building that alerts you to the fact that money orders are available inside.
13. Speedway
The Speedway money orders are available at some of the Speedway locations. Speedway has a relationship with MoneyGram, and they will use them to satisfy their money order needs.
The one thing that is good about Speedway is that you can purchase several money orders in a day.
Although the individual limit on a money order will be $500, you can purchase up to $1900 in a day. The fee for a Speedway money order usually varies between $1.00 and $2.00.
The price will vary depending on the overall cost of the money order that you are purchasing.
There are quite a few Speedway locations located across the United States, so this is a reliable gas station to use when looking for a money order.
- Limit: $500
- Fee: between $1.00 and $2.00
- Provider: Varies by location
How Much Do Money Orders Cost?
Money orders are not all that expensive when you think of other fees involved with transferring money. If you want to send certified electronic funds quickly, you can spend upwards of $40.00.
When it comes to money orders, you will typically pay around $1.00. Considering it is relatively simple and easy to get a money order, the fees are also quite fair.
Overall, money orders are not considered expensive; however, the fee to purchase the money order is not the only one to factor in. There are fees on money orders when you cash them in as well.
Sometimes, the fees for cashing a money order in will be considerably higher at one institution than another. When you cash your money orders in, make sure that you do a bit of shopping around to make sure you are cashing them in at a good location with lower fees.
How Do I Pay for a Money Order?
As we mentioned early on, a money order is different than a check. With a check, you will have no idea if you will have an issue when it comes time to cash it.
Therefore when you pay for a money order, the funds need to be present at the purchase time.
When purchasing a money order, you will need to bring with you cash, a traveler’s check, or a debit card. Some locations will only take cash, and others will allow for the traveller’s check or the debit card.
We recommend coming prepared with more than one way to pay in case you run into any issues.
If you need to purchase a money order for exactly $500, remember to bring the money for the fees as well. You will have to be able to pay for both the fees and the price of the money order at the time of the purchase.
What if I Lose A Money Order?
Losing a money order is a terrible feeling. It is a very similar feeling to losing cash, but the good news is that a money order is a bit more traceable than cash.
Depending on where you purchased your money order, you can go through a process of finding out how to replace your lost money order.
If you purchased a money order from a post office, there is a form you can fill out explaining how it was lost and asking them to look into whether or not it was cashed.
If the money order turns up that it was never cashed, you will be able to get a replacement. The problem is that this process can take several weeks.
We strongly recommend keeping your receipt and any documentation you get when you purchase your money order. You can hold on to this to have some tracking in case the order should get lost.
Summary
A money order is a simple and convenient way to send funds to a person that does not require a check. Checks are very similar, but they are not guaranteed in the same way that a money order is.
Make sure that you bring enough money along to pay for the fees when you purchase a money order. Remember that some locations will accept cash, debit card, or traveler’s checks, but others will only accept cash.
Understanding what is involved with this process before you make your trip to the store will certainly help you save both time and money.
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