Ditch your monthly fee current account

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Why should you pay a monthly fee to Barclays, Lloyds TSB, the Co-op and others ? The following links will give you cost-saving alternatives to the products offered with these accounts, meaning you can save yourself this fee.

The first step is to downgrade your account to a fee-free one. This can be arranged easily by visiting or phoning your bank. All the main banks have free in- credit banking:

http://www.personal.barclays.co.uk/BRC1/jsp/brccontrol?site=pfs&task=homefreegroup&value=12828

http://www.lloydstsb.com/current_accounts/classic_and_classic_plus_accounts.asp

http://www.co-operativebank.co.uk/servlet/Satellite/1193206368595,CFSweb/Page/Bank-CurrentAccounts?WT.svl=copy

http://www.citibank.co.uk/personal/banking/bankingproducts/currentaccounts/sterling/accessaccount.htm?merchant=citi

Once you've got free banking just decide which of the products previously offered you need. There's loads of stuff on the main site, where you do not need to go to cashback sites or use Tesco vouchers.

1. Car breakdown. http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/insurance/roadside-recovery If you are, or have ever, worked in the public sector, try www.csmaclub.co.uk, the Civil Service Motoring Association website.
2. Annual travel insurance. http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/insurance/cheap-travel-insurance
3. Extended warranty on goods. If you really want this use a credit card which offers it free eg http://www.nationwide.co.uk/creditcard/classiccard/default.htm
4. Free will service. Your trade union will probably offer it. Cancer Research offer one. http://legacies.cancerresearchuk.org/legal_profs/freewill_service.asp?fs=1 Even if you feel you need to make a donation to the charity (there's no obligation) at least you know that the money's going to a better cause than the fee you used to pay the bank!
5. Legal helpline. You have probably got it on your household insurance. If you haven't ask yourself whether or not you need it.
6. Mobile phone insurance. As (5) above
7. Identity theft helpline. No substitute for shredding old bills etc and being vigilant.
8. Credit card protection. It costs £29 a year for a company to ring cardholders on your behalf. Do you need it?

You could, of course, avail yourself of some of the 'freebies' before you cancel, such as the will-writing service.

Your money is too hard earned. Don't give it to the fatcat bankers, who have crippled this country.;)

Kavanne

<insert bank staff saying how great these accounts really are>