As I don't have a credit card (and never want one anyway) I have resorted to fat q squaps with US stitchers. It still costs me $5-8 for each fat q to find something suitable to send overseas, but in return I get some great fatQ's thatI just wouldn't have the opportunity to get any other way.
I agree that the fabric per metre over here is way off the scale. It is also getting harder and harder to find budget bolts of fabric to play with.