I can't get a student account :(

RACHIE77

I am currently studying full time at uni and applied for a current account with halifax, and got turned down. I have really bad credit rating at the moment so decided just to ask my current bank if I could just 'convert' my existing account to a student account but I got a letter back saying that I had been declined due to my credit score.

So now i'm on a shoestring, still being hit with hefty fines and fees etc and can't get out of it!! I know its my own mess but it just seems so awful that the more of a mess you are in the less options you have to save yourself!

I thought a student account was for students, but obviously not - lol!

Sorry, whinge over, just really needed a bit of a rant as i'm feeling especially poor at the mo!!

squeaky

Hiya,

I don't know if you've managed to find it yet but there's a special board with help and advice on dealing with debt which I am sure could help you:-

Debt-Free Wannabe

And there is also help on bank charges to be found here:-

New! Reclaim Your Bank Charges

(make sure you follow all the links given to various articles by Martin, and many of these can be found by browsing the links you'll see on the left hand side of the page.)

And finally,for help on making the most of your limited budget for food etc this board is very good:-

MoneySaving Old Style

(Not that I am biased)

RACHIE77

Hi squeaky! Thanks for the help, I have visited the debt free board and am making tracks into getting things sorted day by day but it feels like such a mammoth task that I don't feel like I'm getting anywhere...! I have also collared my OH for being so useless and he has started to help me a bit more now!!

I also wrote to the bank and told them that they had taken over £5k from us in charges and I wanted them back and they told me they wanted a breakdown of the charges, well lo and behold the spreadsheet that I did is on my PC at work (where I no longer work!) so have had to go back to the beginning and start at that one again.... another mammoth task on my list of 'things to do!'.... lol

as for the link to the OS board, I mite well have to look on there as I must confess to peeking at the 'grabbit' board a little too often than I should....!! Perhaps I should see what you guys get up to over there and maybe learn some money saving tricks to boot!!

Thanks again squeeky!! Glad I had a moan now

si1503

I sympathise with your situation. 5k of charges.. the greedy sods!

squeaky

RACHIE77 wrote:

as for the link to the OS board, I mite well have to look on there as I must confess to peeking at the 'grabbit' board a little too often than I should....!! Perhaps I should see what you guys get up to over there and maybe learn some money saving tricks to boot!!

Thanks again squeeky!! Glad I had a moan now

You're very welcome

As for the OS board, biased as I am it's a really great way to learn how to stretch your money. If you like pizza, for example, there a lazy pizza recipe that takes only five minutes to put together and can cost as little as 25p. Hundreds of nourishing soup recipes for pennies, even more sarnies... and I have no idea how many other good (and often simple) recipes. Plus advice on how to shop, and how to manage the household budget.

RACHIE77

squeaky wrote:

You're very welcome

As for the OS board, biased as I am it's a really great way to learn how to stretch your money. If you like pizza, for example, there a lazy pizza recipe that takes only five minutes to put together and can cost as little as 25p. Hundreds of nourishing soup recipes for pennies, even more sarnies... and I have no idea how many other good (and often simple) recipes. Plus advice on how to shop, and how to manage the household budget.

mmmm.... thanks squeeky!! :j

I don't use my slow cooker enough so think I am going to dust it off and make something yummy for tea tonight!! One of my probs is that my OH is a real pain in the whatnot when it comes to eating food, he doesn't really like vegetables so I try and make dinners like shepherds pie or something that I can have vegetables with, even then he prefers junk food every time (I like healthy food!) so am often stuck what to make.... He has told me not to bother and he will cook for himself but I'm determined not to live like that so I keep on trying....!! The OS board looks like a perfect place to get some ideas, thanks!

I also started looking at the xmas hampers thread a while ago and bought some hampers and bits and bobs to go in them so you have reminded me to get cracking!! :T

I think you will make an OS'er of me yet!! Just gonna go have more of a browse

squeaky

RACHIE77 wrote:

One of my probs is that my OH is a real pain in the whatnot when it comes to eating food, he doesn't really like vegetables so I try and make dinners like shepherds pie or something that I can have vegetables with,

Just treat him like the big kid he is

These might help:-

Fussy Eaters:
- easy meat recipes to beef up underweight teen
- Hiding vegetables
- Meal ideas for picky kids
- What can I feed the fussiest eater in the world?

RACHIE77

squeaky wrote:

Just treat him like the big kid he is

These might help:-

Fussy Eaters:
- easy meat recipes to beef up underweight teen
- Hiding vegetables
- Meal ideas for picky kids
- What can I feed the fussiest eater in the world?

YOU'VE HIT THE NAIL ON THE HEAD!!!

I wanted to hit thanks ten times but once i'd clicked it once it went - lol!!

I will check these out!

agogo

Have you tried other student accounts apart from Halifax? My experience and stories I hear from others is that Halifax is the most fussy bank regarding credit scores. Might be worth trying more banks if the interest free overdraft would be helpful to you.

Bell-z

agogo wrote:

Have you tried other student accounts apart from Halifax? My experience and stories I hear from others is that Halifax is the most fussy bank regarding credit scores. Might be worth trying more banks if the interest free overdraft would be helpful to you.

Exactly, definitely go round banks and apply to as many as you can. I only just turned 18 when I applied and Halifax rejected my application! My credit rating wasn't good enough apparently (even though it shouldn't exist in theory, i have no debt what so ever etc). So don't get down about it, just shop around. I got accepted with Natwest and they aren't half bad at all.

merlinormartin

Hi Rachie
my OH and i had exactly the same problem with Halifax, even thou both accounts had been active for several years with a regular income.
My advice would be to try Natwest .. they excepted both our applications and we received a £1000 over draft in the first year increasing in the following year, £250 credit card and 12 months to payback the overdraft after graduation! .. that was back in 2003 .. so not sure if changed slightly since then.