A suitable bank account for a mature housewife with no personal income?

Mercenary

I have a joint bank account plus joint savings account with my other half, but I sometimes wonder if it would be a good thing to have a completely separate account for myself with a debit card facility from which I could, if things ever went pear-shaped, carry on using my own money without a hiccup?

Obviously, being a housewife, I have no income of my own - only some savings in an online Savings account, so would I be best off looking at the Basic Bank accounts that are mentioned here? I have always had to rely on my other half's credit rating to apply for anything, so from my perspective it looks like a complicated monetary minefield out there for someone like me.

Any ideas appreciated.

xylophone

Ask for a sole account at your existing bank?

ffacoffipawb

xylophone wrote: »

Ask for a sole account at your existing bank?

Not a nice way to refer to the OP.

dr_adidas01

ffacoffipawb wrote: »

Not a nice way to refer to the OP.

Why is it not a nice way to refer to the OP.

The information is correct:

Speak to the current bank that you joint account is with, to see if they can open a Sole Account for you... :T

jennifernil

I have been "just a housewife" since we married in 1969.

In that time I have raised 2 children, cared for my mother, organised our housing, including building our present home, cooked, cleaned,gardened, organised our finances, raised thousands through voluntary work, and supported my OH in his career.

Housewives are never "just housewives"!

Now I have a small pension via my OH's contributions, but otherwise just bank interest.

I have several credit cards, no doubt due to OH's income, but I also have several savings accounts and several current accounts.

The current accounts all have their purpose.....Halifax for the £5s, Lloyds for the Vantage, First Direct for the monthly saver, etc,etc.

Savings accounts, other than ISAs are all in my name to use at least some of my personal allowance.

So, yes, you should get some accounts in your own name. As well as giving you independance, it is also sensible tax planning.

alanq

xylophone wrote: »

Ask for a sole account at your existing bank?

On the other hand following the recent debacle at NatWest/RBS there is something to be said for opening an account with a different bank if at all possible.

InsideInsurance

ffacoffipawb wrote: »

Not a nice way to refer to the OP.

Dont get the joke?


But anyway, being a housewife in no way prohibits you from having your own account. You won't qualify for some "premium" accounts because of your lack of income but then those are always more efficient if in joint names anyway (so you both get the mobile insurance for only one fee for example).

If the purpose is simply to enable you to put some money aside away from your husband and have an account ready should the worse happen then a basic free account will serve that purpose fine and given you dont need an overdraft it wouldnt be a problem getting it