Its so unfair why wont someone help?

jg

Chin up! OK, so the week wasn't as good. Just remember, the ones who make it are the ones who keep trying and do the little things even when the big things aren't working.

Before cancelling the bank account, ask yourself what you need it for. Why did you get it in the first place? Does that reason still exist? Where will the direct debits be paid from if you don't have the account? Are they things you will just cancel? Or are they things you will still have to pay, but will cost you more if they aren't by DD?

If they are things you would just cancel, why not cancel them anyway and keep the bank account?

Without knowing what all the direct debits are, not sure anyone can give much advice on that.

Keep at it!

vanoonoo

buy to let is where you get a mortgage on a property that you are not going to live in and therefore will rent out and in effect the rent will pay the mortgage

let to buy is an australian (or is it canadian) concept where you rent a property for a year and at the end of that contract you come up with the money to buy it (usually through a mortgage). it's a useful way of avoiding a bridging loan if you are tranferring from one property to another on a tight schedule and perhaps haven't sold your initial property and therefore are unable to release funds or equity for a mortgage in a second property

you will probably get more detailed advice on the mortgage board though - but roughly thats the way that the two concepts operate

hth

Heddwen_2

Thanks both

Most of the DD's are actually for bills, eg electric, gas, water etc, so yes things we can both save £12 a year by paying DD and stuff we need (I think )

Anyone have any additional ideas on where I can advertise our spare room?

Cheers!

Off to clean some cars now!

???

jg

Maybe instead of cancelling the account you could cancel one of the direct debits. If you cancel one, you only lose one DD discount, but it gives a little breathing space to build up the balance where you won't get hit with these fees.

You'll still have to come up with the money to pay the bill when it comes, of course.

Out of ideas for now, but will keep thinking.

budgetflyer

I'd cancel all the utility direct debits as you aren't really saving anything if you get hit by the bank for non/late payment.
You can get a lot more time by just getting a bill. Even when it gets to red letter stage you can still put it off for a while and if finaly you don't have the money then opt to pay it by card meter.or arrangement
Depending on how much these DDs are for you could maybe save £40 a month for 3 months or so which will help clear the overdraft or something else.

System

Hi,
With the bank account could you not open a new one with someone else and start afresh.
When we were struggling and had dd's bouncing all the time - sometimes 5 in one go, I cancelled all the direct debits and waited until the company contacted me and then told them that I would be paying in cash and wanted to set up a monthly payment plan. Actually I was paying them by standing order/bill payment.
Do you have online banking?
If you do this would be a good idea as you control when you pay the bills so no chance of bank charges through bounced dd's.

If you need anymore ideas about this let me know.

Heddwen_2

Eager Elephant

That sounds a good idea. Thanks!



We did a car boot sale yesterday after clearing out our shed and made £36 getting rid of 90% of the junk we took.

However it cost us £16 entry as we had our so take that out of what we made we ended up making £20 which we used for petrol in the generator, lawnmower and van. We also picked up a hedge trimmer and a strimmer for £1.50 the pair which helps with the gardening my husvband does.

So a bit less clutter and a little more positive today at least!

Still wanting some advice on ads to rent spare room anyone?

Have a good week.

8) lets hope the sun beams!

BULLNOTBEAR

£16 - that must be the most expensive car boot ever!!!


Regarding the advert for a spare room always use positive terms.

Try something along the lines of

Spacious, well presented single/double room available for rent in a local modern house. State the monthly/weekly fee and state that it includes bills/water/central heating (if it does of course)
Please telephone for further details.

Check the local paper for rent prices in area and pitch yours at where you think it should be. I would say including bills would appeal to prospective tenants. Make sure you make this clear in adverts. Place adverts in local newsagents in area.

Speak to people on phone and obviously invite them to have a look at the room/house.

Hopefully, you'll be in a position to pick your tenant.

svmitche

I would agree with BULLNOTBEAR on the ad, but make sure you also specifiy the type of person you would ideally like (i.e non-smoker, professional etc).

Do you have anything you can offer them like space to park in the drive, or a private bathroom (don't know the layout of your house...)?

Including the bills is a good idea, but I wouldn't include the phone in this, as you open yourself up to a huge bill.

Also, you might offer an evening meal or a lunch? Don't know how feasible this would be with your work, but could encourage someone in your direction who was otherwise umming.

Heddwen_2

Hi

Sorry I havent posted for a while been a little busy to get on the computer.

Business is hectic at the moment especially with all this hot sunshine! Although we're not rejoycing just yet as we know it wont last forever - October and winter are on their ways!

No response yet from the room to let ads. We have had a 'pushy' bloke from the lettings agency getting on our nerves with his constant agrivation. Had to waste a whole weekend doing his work showing people around our house as he 'didnt have the time' to. He was supposed to turn up with another viewing yesterday evening (Mon) and both didnt show up. We had to work overtime to catch up on the weekend and an hour of bookings we lost or had to reebook.

I wouldnt mind him being pushy but for the fact he doesnt even have any signed paperwork from us yet agreeing to them being the lettings agent (the reason why is we havent decided fully that this is the best solution still as were still contemplating or rent a room or selling). Surely although hes acting in our best interest hes breaking the code of conduct as he has no authorisation? Just like a different estate agents we had earlier this year putting our house out for sale without any signed paerwork agreeing we even wanted to sell! Whats the matter with these pushy youngsters?

Anyhow were ok so far plodding along.

The bank refuses to help though even with our continouous requests for a small overdraft (£50) as a buffer zone. The manager prefers to charge me £100 in fees and non authorised overdrafts and returned DD charges and make me go further into debt each month tryig to stay afloat than to give me help.

I am close to writing to the banks big boss and giving him an ultimatum - either they give me a small overdraft or stop charging me fees altogether.

We are going to speak to our bank manager once more and ask him to give us a loan of £500 and once thats been paid off in a few months to give us another and so on so we can slowly clear the debts that are mounting due to the banks stubourness.

Awaiting the onslaught of abuses!