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Budgeting & bank accounts

Discuss bank accounts, banking apps, budgeting hacks and how to organise your money.

Switching to First Direct via Quidco how?
Hello Trying to switch an old account to my newly created 1 Account with First Direct. I have a Quidco account and there is a £65 cashback offer on top of any switch benefits from the bank. However, using the Quidco link from the app to "get" this cashback I am transferred to the First Direct website. It is not possible to…
Blocked bank account due to UK statutory tax laws
Hi, My bank account has been blocked for over a week now and my bank can not tell me the reason as they are complying with UK statutory tax laws... I do not know what this means, and they will not explain either.I have googled what this could mean and it appears to be for small to medium sized buisnesses - I am neither. I…
Worried about email 'Order' I have not ordered. ? SCAM.
If I am posting in the wrong Forum would you please let me know? I am worried about an email I have just received in my 'main' email address in box. At the bottom there is an attachment with a number and I have not clicked on it. I have clicked to open and read the email but nothing more. I'll be really glad of any help.…
Switching away from Barclays
I have just found out about Nationwide's latest switching offer, switching to an existing Nationwide account. So trawling through my accounts, I have selected Barclays as the doner account because their interest rates are not as good as in other accounts that I hold. However.... I switched to Barclays last November, from…
How to budget / best budgeting tips?
I’ve always been terrible with money, and have been in debt for as long as I can remember. However, I’ve recently inherited some money, and for the first time since I was about 18, am no longer in any debt. I really, really want to keep it that way!! What are your best budgeting tips? Separate accounts? Cash? Spreadsheets?…
Is there a way to find out if you've had a switching bonus before?
I'm thinking about the Santander Edge account for the £175 switching bonus. I did have a current account with them, probably 6-8 years ago and I still have a mortgage with them. But I can't remember whether there was a switching bonus back then. Will they tell you, during the process, whether you'll definitely get the…
Bank account for property rental?
Hello good people i have a holiday property which i rent and i would like a separate account for this in order to keep things tidy and separate, and look a bit more professional (I’m never comfortable sending my personal bank details for some reason!!) i only want a basic account, i don’t mind who its with, however i would…
Santander Edge Up account. 2 cashbacks but no choice where they come from.
Yesterday I upgraded from a Santander 123 account! I now only have two of the three cash backs that I had with the 123 account. (£3 down) I am left with 0.72p cash back for my water bill, £24 as one of them. This is my lowest cost utility bill! I spent some considerable time on the phone to a pleasant young lady who…
Nationwide switch from Chase
Hi, newbie here :) Thinking about switching a Chase current account that has a couple of direct debits, to a FlexAccount I already have with Nationwide. Have already opened a 2nd Chase current account, but would I have to close the savings account I have with Chase too ? Would the Chase debit card become invalid & I'd have…
Applying for new Santander current account
Hello. I have got an appointment at my local Santander branch to attempt to open an everyday current account. This just so happens to be the first bank account that I would be properly applying, although I have a unique Santander savings account - or had - when I was a kid. I have no credit history and the bank has advised…
Cifas marker removal
I have recently found myself in financial difficulties and with the help of another thread I think I can get myself sorted. My query here is how to deal with a Cifas marker that has been logged against me by one of my creditors for "evasion of payment". Admittedly yes I did get a £5000 loan with them and have not paid any…
Bank unable to trace recipient of a standing order
My late father’s account shows a monthly standing order of a few hundred pounds. We have asked the bank who the recipient is/where the money was going and they simply state that they cannot trace it. This amounts to some £12k+, can it really be the case that this has disappeared into the ether and we have to accept this…
SAR Request!
So let’s say for an example: I did SAR request with my bank for statements! Which they completed very quickly yay but where just list of transactions not what I wanted! so I redid SAR request as per what I was told To do! (Via their social media team) with putting all details in the right box’s that I wanted official…
Business Bank Switching
Hi, Just wondering if any of you have had any experience of Business Bank Account Switching? I set up as a sole trader last year as a side job and in applying for a business account with many banks (incl Natwest) I faced a lot of rejections as my business primarily comes from abroad and is of higher value therefore high…
Big increase in scam calls following opening new bank savings accounts
Since we are obliged to move money on a regular basis to get the best interest - thereby increasing the changes of fraud and mistakes, has anyone noticed a marked increase in scam calls following the opening of new accounts. I recently opened several savings accounts to spread risk and savings and almost immediately…
Hsbc bank blocked my account overnight
I am receiving this message that you can't tranafer as you don't have funds or your information is not upto date. Called bank and waiting for their call in 3 days. I am part time self employed and earn £300/month. However there is combined property of me and my husband and rental income has been coming in my account for…
Bank Switching question
I'm new to this bank switching business but feel I have done very well since switching to First Direct in January. Since then I've created several dummy accounts and managed the following by often switching balances of £0 then depositing whatever is necessary to qualify. £175 - First Direct £200 - NatWest £250 - Co-Op…
Natwest bank switch starting to go wrong months later ?
I did the bank switch to natwest in March. Everything went smoothly then I had my car insurance claiming that my bank had cancelled the direct debit and therfore no payment had been taken. I contacted Natwest who said nothing of the sort had happened, the payment had been taken as normal and I have the payment reference. I…
Depositing cheque via post
I have received a TV licence refund as a cheque. Is it safe, nowadays, to just put it in an envelope with a paying in slip and post it? (I'm disabled and can't easily get to the bank to deposit ti)
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MSE News

Ofgem proposes new 'no standing charge' Price Cap – but Martin Lewis warns vulnerable customers need to be opted in or it won't work
Ofgem has today launched detailed proposals for a major shake up to its Energy Price Cap that dictates the price over 80% of homes in England, Scotland and Wales pay for their energy bills.
Lloyds, Halifax and Bank of Scotland to cut overdraft rates for millions but hike them for others – here's what's happening and full help
If you're a Lloyds, Halifax or Bank of Scotland current account holder, the interest rate you're charged for using your overdraft could change soon as part of a fees shake-up. The Lloyds Banking Group, which owns all three brands, says millions of its customers will pay less after the changes – but a "few" will pay more.
Warm Home Discount expansion confirmed with millions more eligible for the £150 top-up this winter – here's what we know
Around 2.7 million more low-income households, including 900,000 families with children, will become eligible for the £150 Warm Home Discount this winter, as the Government has confirmed it will remove the existing 'hard to heat' eligibility criteria. The extension has only been confirmed for winter 2025/26, with further changes possible for future years.
Martin Lewis: At last a chance to fix Council Tax flaws impacting millions – debt collection, difficulty challenging your band, discounts and more
Major flaws in the Council Tax system in England could finally be fixed in future, as the Government has launched a wide-ranging consultation to review hideous debt collection practices, the difficulty of challenging your band, the overly complex and horribly-named Severe Mental Impairment discount and more. MoneySavingExpert.com founder Martin Lewis, who has long campaigned on these issues, shares his response and analysis.
Energy complaints to be dealt with more quickly and Energy Ombudsman to get new powers under Government plans
If you have a complaint about your energy firm, it may be resolved more quickly in future, as the Government has announced a raft of proposals to strengthen consumer protections in the energy market. The planned changes include giving the Energy Ombudsman new powers to force firms to comply with its decisions – but it's still very early days. Here's what we know so far.
Warm Home Discount expansion confirmed with millions more eligible for the £150 top-up this winter – here's what we know
Around 2.7 million more households, including 900,000 families with children, will become eligible for the £150 Warm Home Discount this winter, as the Government has confirmed it will remove the existing 'hard to heat' eligibility criteria. The extension has only been confirmed for winter 2025/26, with further changes possible for future years.
Base rate held at 4.25% – here's what it means and when it might be cut next
The Bank of England has held the base rate at 4.25%. Below we explain why, when it might be cut, plus what it means for your mortgage and savings.
Applied for South West Trains 'boundary fares' compensation? Act now to claim it
If you applied for compensation from South West Trains before the deadline in January 2025, you now need to provide your bank details to the claim administrator so it can be paid to you. Here's what you need to know.
Winter Fuel Payments to be reinstated for millions – Martin Lewis explains how it'll work, what it means and if it's an improvement
All State Pensioners in England and Wales will receive a Winter Fuel Payment this winter, though those who earn over £35,000 will see it clawed back through the tax system. It means nine million pensioners will get the £200 or £300 top-up. Here MoneySavingExpert.com founder Martin Lewis shares his instant response and analysis, and we include answers to your key questions.

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Budgeting & bank accounts

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