Hello everyone

smog_2

Hiya

This is just a quick post to introduce myself. I've been lurking around for ages but have decided to step out of the shadows.

I'm posting here as I'm trying very hard to convince my boyfriend to join this website and thought that if there's someone he knows here then maybe...

Just over a year ago he came clean to me that during our 7 year relationship he'd managed to build up unsecured debts of around £25,000. This was a bit of a shock:eek: to say the very very very least as we own a house together and I'd had no idea.

Also I've always been quite good with money and had often expressed concern about his friend's excessing credit card spending to my boyfriend who agreed that his friend had a major problem...however much smaller than his own as it turned out!!

Anyway he's doing well, certainly has been living well within his means for the last year to make a dent in his debts. His plan had been to pay it off before his 30th (2 years away) but a small career blip last year means that might not be possible. I've been trying to get him to try to reclaim his bank charges, but his problem at the moment is that he had a massive 3 grand overdraft with his bank, so can't really start the process until he's dealt with that I believe.

I have some savings and enough money to help him pay his debts off a bit faster, but he refuses saying that they are his own responsibility. So what I'm doing is paying extras (meals out once in a while, the odd weekend away or a takeaway) which he can't afford after his payments and I suppose it also means I've got money for anything unexpected that might come up with the house etc.

Anyway that was a bit longer than I expected. Just thought I'd say hello as it might be a bit rude if I'd suddenly started replying to posts without anyone knowing who I am.

This is a truly truly truly fantastic site:money: :money: :money:

All the best
smog

lynzpower

hiya smog :wave:

No you CAN start reclaiming bank charges, but its best to open what they call a parachute account with another bank in case the "charging" bank decides to recall the OD and close the account.

however, Ive claimed 3 lots of charges back and my accounts remain open. I think the FSA are involved in wanting to hear from people whos accounts have been closed, and I have to say i havent heard of this happening to anyone for a while

Id just open a new bank account, move all your DDs to that and start claiming. :beer: Its a long process, so best to get started

Now, start replying and join in!!!!

Lynz
xx

James&Shell

Hi Smog,

Just wanted to say hi and that you are in the right place.

There is loads of advice on here for helping your oh

take care

James

itsarichmansworld

Hi and welcome smog this website literally saved my life so get him on we'll welcome him with open arms

smog_2

Thanks guys!! You are fab!!

Lynz, thankyou!! I didn't know this.

Can I ask, do you know what would happen if the bank did recall his overdraft? WOuld they force a loan upon him? (That's pretty much how his debts kicked off in the first place after his student overdraft).

Would the idea be to open a 'parachute' account with an overdraft equal to the one he has at the moment?

He works for a big bank - NOT the one that he would be trying to claim the charges from, but his wages need to be paid into an account he holds with his employers so it might be difficult to open an account with a large overdraft when he'd have no wages going in there.

Thanks so much again
xx