Dear experts can you help a lazy man?

Bathman001

Thanks for all the help. I guess it doesn't matter where the Credit Card is because the Direct Debit can easily be set up. It won't be for Tescos points though as there isn't one near me.

As for online banking although most banks offer it I guess there are different levels of service offered, especially interesting to me if we aim to try and keep services together so thanks to Quenastoise for the point.

I've never wanted to go to Harrods just to get a carrier bag so I doubt the lure of a bank account with them will win me over.

southantrim3

I'd go for the Halifax as they only require a minimum payment and you get the £5 per month. Also spend £300 or more on their clarity credit card and you get the same. Their savings a/c is ok and their website for online banking is fairly straight forward. The other thing I really like about them is that they use English based call centre, so you can actually understand them.

Hope this helps.

jennifernil

Do you have ISAs?

If not, you could get a Halifax Joint Reward account (and even sole ones each if you get organised), a Halifax Clarity Reward CC, or even one each if your monthly spend is £600 on CCs, and a Halifax Direct ISA Reward each for savings, it pays 3% for the first 12 months. They are instant access, but you may have to move them after 12 months for the best rate.

Otherwise the Lloyds Vantage acts as a good savings account, paying 3% on £3k-£5k, and 4% on £5k-£7k.

So it really depends on how much you will have available to save.

EDIT: just saw on another thread that the Halifax ISA is to have a new issue on Monday 28/02 paying 3%, so presumably 3.2% for the Reward version.

Lokolo

Can I ask why it matters not having accounts all over the place?

I have current accounts with Lloyds and HSBC. Credit cards with HSBC and Halifax. ISAs with Halifax and Aldermore. Savings with Egg.

I don't seem to find it difficult, especially with online banking and Egg MM.

Bathman001

Lokolo wrote: »

Can I ask why it matters not having accounts all over the place?

I have current accounts with Lloyds and HSBC. Credit cards with HSBC and Halifax. ISAs with Halifax and Aldermore. Savings with Egg.

I don't seem to find it difficult, especially with online banking and Egg MM.

Really for 3 reasons.

1. I'll have to apply to a number of places where I would hope to get most things sorted over the phone or online once
2. I would like to manage all of the joint account stuff in one place. I just googled Egg MM and I can see it would have benefits but that would really be for my details or the joint accounts details, not both and would mean another application.
3. As I implied I'm not the greatest organiser and a little bit lazy (been thinking about this for a year). Therefore I'm not chasing the Best Buys of the moment, but hopefully something that is competitive and will remain so. If that changes significantly my reaction is not likely to be that swift, but at least I could lift and shift the accounts at once

I'm sure some might think this baby steps but I do want to simplify this side of things before thinking about shedding some of my own cards, sorting my own savings, look at utilities, broadband etc etc.

jennifernil

I think you need to give yourself a good shake!!

Getting the best deals does need some input from you, surely you have half an hour spare now and again?

Switch off the TV, don't go out one evening....whatever it takes.....it's for your own benefit.

If you both have good credit records and are on the voters roll at your current address, you should be able to set up most of what you need on-line, or over the phone. Start with the new current account, then the savings, and finally the credit card(s).

If you need to do it in a branch, make an appointment and get as much as possible done in one visit.