Currency rates (added every week or two).

[1AZRAEL1]

As i stated elsewhere, Japan will need a lot of materials to rebuild, Australia is in a great position to sell it to them providing a massive boost to the economy and raising the dollar again

Putting it that way, I think you are right. The economists are predicting a fall, but it might not be as bad as they predict. Just have to wait and see, going to be a pretty suspenseful year for everyone.

[UltraMarginal]

the question is when to change more money to US dollars for Botcon..

[1AZRAEL1]

the question is when to change more money to US dollars for Botcon..

Basically I see it as a gamble. It can either go up or down in the next few months. Just have to take the risk of waiting to see what it does, or bite the bullet now when it is still pretty good.

[Paulbot]

Basically I see it as a gamble. It can either go up or down in the next few months. Just have to take the risk of waiting to see what it does, or bite the bullet now when it is still pretty good.

I bit today. But wish I'd bit last week!

[UltraMarginal]

Basically I see it as a gamble. It can either go up or down in the next few months. Just have to take the risk of waiting to see what it does, or bite the bullet now when it is still pretty good.

I bit today. But wish I'd bit last week!

I have already bit the bullet a couple months ago, but I'm going to need to do it again before I go. I'm going to wait for a few more weeks/couple months I think and see what happens, I do think we'll pick up with materials supply to Japan.

[griffin]

Instability in the middle east (oil prices going way up causing a blowout in inflation in developed countries), Japan facing a financial crisis (as much of the country grinds to a halt), and European countries still struggling with debt issues... my money is on our currency heading south as investors head back to 'safer' markets & their currencies.

But just like a home loan, I'd recommend converting half of your BotCon budget now to US$, and the other half closer to the convention, or as soon as any significant drop in the exchange rate happens. Even if the exchange rate improves, it isn't likely to improve a significant amount before BotCon for you to miss out on a huge amount of US$ (from the half you convert now).

For me, a significant amount of my spending will be on the keycard and credit card (so I don't carry around and lose a big wad of cash). So in my case, I just have to hope the rate doesn't drop too much before BotCon or during that week.

[jazzcomp]

Better convert A$ to US$ if the rates are good enough than to gamble with rates at the time of Botcon.