Emm,... let's see,... I too groped in the dark many years ago. Today,.. I would do it this way,...
I would open a DBS MCA Account - STILL CAN OPEN. SEE MY PRINCE'S POSTING IN THE 'SGX COUNTERS' THREAD.
I would change my currency into the SGD (or USD, or whatever else) at Mid-Valley after booking my rates there.
I would arrange for holidays to Singapore with family-members. I would handcarry the SGD to Sgp since I'm going there for holidays anyway with family members, relatives and friends. Please remember to follow the Customs regulation : Not more than USD10K per person per trip. Don't break rules, bro,...
I would bank-in the excess SGD notes into my MCA which I have not used in my holidays in Sgp..
But that's just me,... since I go to Sgp regularly,...
Otherwise, you need to TT,... But TT'ing is killing because of the exchange rate imposed by the banks..
I see. So you are still using the money changer route. Guess I will need to make a trip there once year.
Actually you can get your family to carry your money too. One person USD10k, 4 people USD40k already.