Budgeting & bank accounts

Archives for January 2020

Santander faster payment failure - opinions please
Hi I recently called Santander to arrange a large payment to a fixed rate investment at another bank. I am required to go though a security process where Santander call back to check details and security. The payment was debited from my account at 9.30 am. As it was a faster payment I expected it to appear in the…
Post Office Bank account
Does anyone know if the Post Office Bank has a telephone number / team for vulnerable customers. Their customer help line has not been helpful, and wasn't prepared to answer this question. Or perhaps someone may have an email address that would allow me to contact an employee able to use their discretion. Unfortunately,…
How seperated are HSBC / FirstDirect Computer Systems Really?
After the banking systems meltdowns over the last few years - it is best practice to have funds in different banks. I already have accounts with HSBC which I will keep but am looking to open another account which will either be FirstDirect, Llyods or Nationwide. I will not have anything close to the FCS limit - so in that…
Al Rayan email asking for extra personal data via external web-site
Anyone else received an email purporting to be from Al Rayan Bank asking for additional personal information and asking us to submit the data via another web-site (http://click.alrayanbankemail.com)? All the advice I've seen has been to never to click on links supplied in emails and certainly not to unknown web-sites. I…
Santander online banking upgrade problem
Just in case anyone else is experiencing problems logging onto Santander's new version of online banking; Santander have 'upgraded' their login page for online banking. It now returns an error 400 message when attempting to submit the logon details. Completely unable to access it using Firefox browser on Windows 10.…
Nationwide Building Society
I always transfer part of my pension on a Friday from my NW savings account to my main RBS bank account. It usually goes through immediately. However, today it did not and I am now only one of hundreds of other NW customers trying, in vain, via Facebook and directly, to understand why payments both in/out, have failed. It…
Piggy Banking
Hi, I have been piggy banking for a while and have a question regarding the 'bills' account. I have all of my monthly direct debits which are the same amount each month coming out of my bills account. I have a couple of types of payment that are still coming out of my current account that I am not sure how to deal with 1.…
Paying With Bitcoins
Hello, I am wanting to use a site and they offer the facilities to pay by Bitcoin. Does anyone know how this works and do you have to find an offline retailer to credit your account? I really dont understand Bitcoins, if anyone could give me a hand please? Does paying by Bitcoins make you anonymous and why do people use…
What are the best banking apps?
Hi all, I'm looking for a bit of advice about banking apps. I recently switched from Halifax to NatWest & find the app for NatWest really frustrating and outdated, to the point where I have had my first bounced DD in 8 years. Due to disability I'm unable to work so do have to manage my money by the penny. Two things that I…
Current Accounts to Switch
Hi all, I know normally on here people discuss current accounts to switch to, I am looking for examples of Current Accounts from banks that have never offered switch incentives to switch away from. I have a friend that is with Nationwide and wants to take advantage of the switch/refer a friend and I am keen to do so. I do…
Standing Order/Faster Payment
If a bank receive a written request to start a regular Standing Order only 3-4 days before the first payment due date, is it usual for them to choose to make the first payment by Faster Payment rather than miss the first Standing Order date?
App to help manage budget
Yesterday morning I took a huge step and called Step Change to try and get my debt sorted our. They were really helpful and helped me make a budget plan that includes paying back the debts. In theory they'll all be paid off in two years and two months. My difficulty is that I really struggle with budgets, I have health…
Withdrawing USD in the UK
I have around $5000 sitting in a Transferwise account that I would like to withdraw in this country in USD. Anyone know the easiest and cheapest way to withdraw USD in this country?
What to do with unspent but budgeted money
I have created a spreadsheet showing all my budgeted spend based on my spend last year so I’ve allocated £x to car maintenance for example but had no maintenance costs this month. Do you move this to savings or leave sat in your current account? I have £450 left this month alone from various budget envelopes that I didn’t…
Bank of England interest rates decision TODAY - will they be cut?
The Bank of England will announce whether it will change the base rate at noon today, following speculation that there could be a cut...Read the full story: 'Bank of England interest rates decision TODAY - will they be cut?' Click reply below to discuss. If you haven’t already, join the forum to reply.
Kakeibo- what is it, is it useful/different to familiar MSE approaches?
My son just told me about this idea, does anyone know if it’s useful, if it adds anything to what I might already read in these forums? I’m always open to new ideas
TIN number
I have been asked my my bank to fill out a form to confirm my country of residence for tax purposes. When I contacted the bank to ask why I needed to do this , I was told that they did not have any information of why I had recieved this form nor could they confirm the return address was authentic. Instead I was to fill out…
Using mobile banking at home with wifi
Is it not recommended to use the wifi over my sky connection without occurring a charge. Should i only use it over my data plan PAYG and incur charges.
Claiming back standing order made in error
My Dad had to move out of his nursing home as it was costing down. My Mum didn’t cancel her standing order and has now made 3 extra payments. I have tried to explain to her that it was her responsibility to cancel the SO and that the company haven’t ‘taken’ her money. The company has now closed down. Do you think there is…
Small business bank accounts
My wife and I are setting up a small business selling hand-made sewn products. We don't expect to be raking it in, but we're setting up an ecommerce website to sell our items, which has a paypal account attached, but are wondering whether we need to add a more traditional bank account. Are these new banks like Tide and…

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