A sorry state of affairs....

mooomin

"Dear Sirs,

I refer to your letter of XXX in relation to charges due to be debited from my account. Your letter stated that the funds would be debited 28 days from the date of your letter which I calculated to be XXX. They were instead debited on XXX. You will see from the balance in my account that I credited funds to cover these charges on XXX.

By not stating a specific date which these charges would debit my account I feel that you have treated me unfairly. You should note from your system that I have made a payment arrangement for account XXX. By debiting the charges on the date above you have caused me to breach this arrangement immediately. I feel that this is unfair and in breach of your obligations to treat me fairly as a customer. You have also caused me financial hardship by debiting the charges on this date as it has caused me to break the overdraft arrangement.

I would be grateful if you would refund any additional charges caused by this situation and reinstate the overdraft arrangement.

Love n hugs,

Mrs NotAPenny"


Or words to that effect Don't let the b*ggers get you down. *hug*

MrsNotAPenny

Thank FF I'll deinately be sending that Monday morning!

I've just checked the bank this morning, and there's still no overdraft on the account. My direct debits start going out tomorrow, if any of them are returned or I get charges from them I'm going to go through the roof!!

I'm so annoyed because I phoned up, explained my situation and arranged an agreement with them when I got the letter through. I have all the paperwork from them, I just could be doing without the carry-on.

I'm planning on switching all next months direct debits to another account and shutting N/Wide down as soon as it's paid.

Another long DFW day!xx

LivvyLoo_2

Hi MrsP,

Aw what a day. Get an action plan together, can you check that the OD will be ready tomorrow for your direct debits? Send the letter and recover the charges, then when you are all fully recovered close the account and open one somewhere else.

Take one day at a time, I feel the same just wanting out but every day is a step closer.

xx

MrsNotAPenny

LivvyLoo wrote: »

Hi MrsP,

Aw what a day. Get an action plan together, can you check that the OD will be ready tomorrow for your direct debits? Send the letter and recover the charges, then when you are all fully recovered close the account and open one somewhere else.

Take one day at a time, I feel the same just wanting out but every day is a step closer.

xx

I called them and they promised the overdraft would be back on by 7pm tonight (apparently it takes 24 hours to put back on, they never mentioned that yesterday!) She said if I needed money, she could authorise a branch withdrawl. Yeah, thanks love, what if I didn't have a car? or bus fare? how was I going to get into town with 2 kids? I'm so furious, I need to call them back but I know I'll just explode at whoever I speak with.

I had transfered most of the money I had into that account, hoping to avoid too high an interest payment this month and so it was there to cover the DD's/surprise interest debits. Luckily, I've a little stash in a isa and a little in a sealed pot I could have used if I was absolutely desperate. :money:

Sigh. Anyhow, good mse news! I must have had a partial-LBM after DS1 was born in 2009 becasue I found some 'workings/budget planning' (having a new year clear out, long overdue!) and our total debt at that time was over £21k :eek: When the car goes, my debt will be down to just under £10k, £2.5k of which ex is liable for. That's pretty good progress, right?

I kept my 3 month spending diary (Sept, Oct, Nov) and analysed the 'results' I have hard copies of them, I'm going to put them into an SOA this weekend. It makes uncomfortable reading in all honesty and this was me trying to cut down.

So, that's me for today. Going to drag my sorry self to the phone and calmly* phone the N/wide


(*not guaranteed)

MrsNotAPenny

THIS.IS.A.JOKE

Ok, no overdraft, no note of anyone I've spoken to today, their collections department (who are apparently dealing with it - same collections dept that transfered me to customer services this morning because they didn't deal with 'this kinda thing'?)are open 9-5, apparently it now takes 48 hours to put an overdraft back on, there's no supervisor I can speak to (I know from working in call centres there's always someone in 'charge')

Good oh. Looks like tomorrow's direct debits are going to be returned, fee's from N/Wide and possibly late payment charges from debitors.

C'mon 2012, get a grip, you're suppose to be my year!

LivvyLoo_2

Hi Mrs P,
Sorry I haven't replied, DD has got chicken pox.

Thats shocking about DD, I would get your letter of complaint sent off. Do you have a spreadsheet? I have a spreadsheet with every single spend and DD on it and when the date it comes out so I can control the lot, I know it won't help you now but as the year goes on when you have a bit extra money you could shuffle money about to cover costs etc. I love mine, am on it every day.

2012 will be your year, its just off to a slow start.

xx

MrsNotAPenny

Here's hoping Livvyloo!

The N/wide saga continues :mad: Can't remember where in the drama I am, but the overdraft still wasn't there today, so I called, spoke to an operator, who put the overdraft on (or so he says!) and it'll be another 48 hours before it's available. If I use my card or DD's come off, I'll be in breech and the overdraft will be removed again.

I can't win. DD's are coming off all next week, there's not a day where I haven't got something, so I'm stuck in this overdraft-less cycle. What would happen if I didn't have any money and relied on that overdraft (which I do)? It's so unfair and frustrating :mad: N/Wide agreed to leave the facility on and the orignal letter said I had until 21st to sort something out. Urgh.

Happier news, DS2 is getting really brave with his walking, love his wee soul. They're like little rays of [noisy] sunshine in this really depressing time.

Eager_Elephant

Hi Penny,

Long time lurker popping by.

If the overdraft is not back by today I think you need to accept that they are not going to let you have it back.

If this is the case cancel all DD's/SO's so as not to incur further charges and then open an account online - any bank will do but I know Co-op only open their basic account (no overdraft) online.

Then you can transfer your income to your new account and pay Nationwide back a small amount at a time - preferably £1pm just to punish them for being noobs!!!!

Hope today works out better than yesterday.

((()))

MrsNotAPenny

Thanks Eager

That's what annoying me most, if they said when I originally called (6th January) to come to an arrangement that they were taking the overdraft off me I could have made arrangements for all my DD's (which start 18th) to come from a different account. I've also put most of the money into the account to cover DD's, so if they don't reinstate it, I don't physically have the money to make manual payments. :mad:

I looked eariler and it *seems* the overdarft is back on, but I'm too scared to put my remaining money in it (to cover a few little DD's) in case they take it again tomorrow Now I'm in danger of them keeping the overdraft on and then the DD's bouncing, because there's not quite enough in the bank to cover it!!

Sigh.

I'm off to do the SOA from the spendign diary results, this may take a while.....I'll be back!xx

MrsNotAPenny

Ok, so it took from Sept 1st to Dec 1st to get these figures. It was hard work keeping the diary and some things aren't accounted for - approx £10 a month I would 'lose' not too bad, I guess it went on 10p sweets for toddles, £1/£2 for parking. I'm keeping another diary for the whole year (started Jan after losing my way in Dec)

I'll *try* to keep it as short as possible, but I know all good MSE love an SOA!!

Number of adults in household........... 1
Number of children in household......... 2
Number of cars owned.................... 1
Monthly Income Details
Monthly income after tax................ 0
Partners monthly income after tax....... 0
Benefits................................ 893.76
Other income............................ 230
Total monthly income.................... 1123.76
Monthly Expense Details
Mortgage................................ 0
Secured/HP loan repayments.............. 0
Rent.................................... 0
Management charge (leasehold property).. 0
Council tax............................. 33
Electricity............................. 51
Gas..................................... 68
Oil..................................... 0
Water rates............................. 0
Telephone (land line)................... 17.42 (includes internet)
Mobile phone............................ 35
TV Licence.............................. 12.66
Satellite/Cable TV...................... 0
Internet Services....................... 0
Groceries etc. ......................... 157.68
Clothing................................ 40
Petrol/diesel........................... 35.68
Road tax................................ 0
Car Insurance........................... 21.03
Car maintenance (including MOT)......... 0
Car parking............................. 31.44
Other travel............................ 0
Childcare/nursery....................... 0
Other child related expenses............ 60.96
Buildings insurance..................... 0
Contents insurance...................... 0
Life assurance ......................... 0
Presents (birthday, christmas etc)...... 9.83
Haircuts................................ 5
Entertainment........................... 66.67
Holiday................................. 0
Emergency fund.......................... 0
Christmas............................... 29.24
Lotto/raffles/sponsers.................. 3.83
Essentials.............................. 99.55
Non essentials.......................... 31.44
Slimming Club........................... 19.8
Cleaning Goods.......................... 18.85
Takeaway/eating out..................... 39.05
Total monthly expenses.................. 887.13

Assets
Cash.................................... 0
House value (Gross)..................... 0
Shares and bonds........................ 0
Car(s).................................. 0
Other assets............................ 0
Total Assets............................ 0

No Secured nor Hire Purchase Debts
Unsecured Debts
Description....................Debt......Monthly...APR
Car............................5400......155.......10.9
Loan...........................5230......105.......6.4
Sofa...........................800.......41........0
Utilities......................200.......15........0
Overdraft2.....................300.......0.........0
Overdraft1.....................1200......0.........0
Credit Card....................3698......75........16.9
Total unsecured debts..........16828.....391.......-

Monthly Budget Summary
Total monthly income.................... 1,123.76
Expenses (including HP & secured debts). 887.13
Available for debt repayments........... 236.63
Monthly UNsecured debt repayments....... 391
Amount short for making debt repayments. -154.37
Personal Balance Sheet Summary
Total assets (things you own)........... 0
Total HP & Secured debt................. -0
Total Unsecured debt.................... -16,828
Net Assets.............................. -16,828

TADAHHHHHH!!

So....the 'essentials' were an average over the three months, this included a double pushchair, a new hoover, Toddles classes, a bus ride, new Driving licence.

The 'non essentials' covered passport pics, window cleaners, a plug, baby groups, secret santas, craft items, hair dye, random tat from £land to stop toddles moaning ~(that prob should have been classe as seesntial....) peanuts for the squirrles, random pack of baby wipes, you get the idea

Takeaway/eating out, HORRENDOUS! I can't afford that. I'm kidding myself when I say I'm cutting down. I really really must nip this in the bud.

Ironically, Slimming Club is having to stay. I am not swaying on this, It's the only time I really get to sit down, away from the chaos of my home and drink hot free tea!

Ashamedly, the majority of money spent on clothing has been for me and the entertainment covers nights out and Lovefilm subscription

Other Child related expenses include formula, nappies and wipes

The shortfall is £154 ish. I can absolutely rein this in this year, I'm going to have to.

I know I need insurances, I'm onto that tonight - anyone heard me say that before??:rotfl:

Utilities are high, I'm paying off arrears within the DD's and putting a little extra into it. These should be cleared soon as the weather is getting mild.

I should have written all this up in there in amongst the SOA huh?

If anyone can highlight anything else, please do

It's given me a good idea of where I can cut down/out/back, so I have a budget which I'm sticking to. Think I might do a projected SOA up, what I'd ideally like to see in three month time :T

ETA: I get 'paid' weekly, so this is based on a 30 day month