iSavta | 31.08.2025

Many caregivers abroad feel a strong responsibility to support their families back home. For some, the first thing they do when receiving their salary is to send almost everything to their loved ones. While this shows love and sacrifice, it can also leave the caregiver with little or nothing for personal needs, emergencies, or the future.

The truth is, sending money home is important—but sending your entire salary may not always be the smartest choice. The key is balance: supporting your family while also building security for yourself. Here are some tips on smart remittance planning:

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1. Know Your Monthly Obligations

Before sending money, first check your own needs: food, transportation, medicine, personal items, or small allowances for yourself. After setting aside what you truly need, you’ll have a clearer picture of what you can afford to send home.

This way, you avoid struggling during the month or needing to borrow money just to get by.

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2. Agree on a Fixed Amount

Talk openly with your family and agree on a fixed amount you will send each month. This prevents pressure to send “more” whenever asked, and helps your family learn how to manage their budget better.

If you occasionally earn extra (like overtime or holiday pay), you can decide whether to add a little more, but the regular remittance should stay consistent.

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3. Save Before You Send

It’s wise to save a small portion of your income before sending the rest home. For example, if you earn 5,000 shekels, you can save 500 for yourself, keep 500 for personal needs, and send 4,000 home.

Over time, this personal savings fund will grow and become your safety net for emergencies, job changes, or future plans like retirement or starting a business.

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4. Prioritize Quality Over Quantity

Sending large amounts of money does not always guarantee a better life for your family. Sometimes, the money is spent quickly without long-term benefit. Instead of sending everything, consider helping your family use the remittance wisely—such as for education, housing improvements, or small investments that give them stability.

It’s not about how much you send, but how it’s used.

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5. Protect Your Future Too

Caregivers often focus only on the needs of loved ones, forgetting about their own future. But remember: you will not work abroad forever. Planning for your own retirement, health, and financial security is not selfish—it’s necessary.

Think of it this way: if you become financially stable, you will not need to rely on your family later. In fact, you may even be able to continue helping them in bigger ways in the future.

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6. Build an Emergency Fund

Unexpected situations—like job loss, health issues, or needing to return home suddenly—can happen at any time. Having even 3–6 months’ worth of savings set aside will give you peace of mind. If you send everything away each month, you won’t have this cushion.

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7. Communicate With Your Family

One of the hardest parts of remittance planning is handling expectations. Some families believe that because a relative is working abroad, money should always be available. Clear communication is key.

Explain to your family that you are saving not because you don’t want to help, but because you want to provide long-term support. When they understand your plan, it becomes easier to manage pressure and requests.

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Final Thought

Sending remittances is a beautiful act of love. But sending all your salary every month can leave you unprepared for the future. The smart way is to strike a balance: care for your family, but also care for yourself.

Think of your remittances as planting seeds: some go to support your loved ones today, and some stay with you to grow into tomorrow’s security.