Preparedness for when

Frugalsod

1Tonsil wrote: »

Now home again. We went to the bank and they refused us access to our sterling account, which had a cheque that had cleared last month in it. I had a row with the bank manager and he would still not let us exchange the money for euros. I am going to try again tomorrow, but if we have no luck I am going to take it to the Bank ombudsman. It has left us short of money. We can draw on the UK visa but that is an expensive way to live.

The good news is, before we got short on the cash flow, our electric bill was 85 euros cheaper than the last four month bill..thanks to installing LED light bulbs and using the solar panel to heat the hot water. We also paid our taxes when the bill arrived, as it was much less than last year if we paid it immediately. Luckily we had left enough in another account to pay the mortgage. Even if we had access to change the sterling, we can only take sixty a day, so would have to go for several days to save enough cash to pay a bill.

I would think that if the cheque balance is sizeable they are trying to keep it in the bank for a bail in. Is there a way that you can pay bills via direct debit or bank transfer? That might be why they are not allowing you access to the euro balance.

Also a bail in is very likely in Greece in a matter of months, and I suspect that it will be set a low level even at zero. The reason is that so many existing bank loans are non performing, it might also be a malicious act from Germany to destroy the economy. Wiping out the accounts of solvent Greek businesses will allow more asset stripping of Greece.

Also do not think that the first bail in will be the only bail in. Some Spanish banks have been bailed out twice already.

My suggestion is to go to Italy and open a bank account and get any future cheques sent there. Then when they are converted into euros you can get a ferry to collect it. Also be aware that the Italian banks could be bailed in at some point.

Also look at getting a credit card that can you can pay by direct debit maybe in the UK so that you do not have any direct connection to the Greek banks.

jk0

Could 1Tonsil get euros out of a local cash point with a UK debit card? I guess there might be a fee to pay.

BTW. Just reading this website which is very interesting:

http://www.near-death.com/science/research/pre-existence.html#a02

moneyistooshorttomention

jk0 wrote: »

BTW. Just reading this website which is very interesting:

http://www.near-death.com/science/research/pre-existence.html#a02

That's the sort of thing that interests me - so thanks for that and I've saved it to read later. I find it helps to have that sort of outlook personally - as I tend to feel I've pre-planned the basic gist of my life and I'm not that much of a masochist (ie so I've probably set limits on how bad things could get for me).

I've certainly had one particular day in my life before now where I just basically knew in detail how it was going to be as it unfolded (to the extent it felt like re-living it). That was the day of THE major anti-Iraq war demo in London. It must have felt very important to me - that I felt I had pre-planned it down to the smallest details.

Since moving to Wales I've generally had the very weird feeling quite often of knowing the general gist of how things are going to be here. I've even walked into Welsh class thinking "Which are the people who are going to be future friends of mine? They're here - oh it must be them" (and it was). But I couldn't tell you whether I'm going to stay here or no - there still feels like a dual-track road ahead on that (which I tend to translate into "may not or may get enough money to return at some point").

mardatha

I believe in an afterlife jk0- I have to because I'm a medium lol - but I'm not sure about all this stuff. I need more solid proof and evidence on things, I have a very rational grounded mind

ivyleaf

What fascinates me is the thing when you go to a new place to meet someone you've never seen before and you don't know what they look like, yet you "recognise" them instantly when you get there and can pick them out from the other people there :eek: *

I know just what moneyistooshort means, as I've experienced similar.


*Though it's also true that I've been to a couple of MSE Old-style meets where that definitely didn't happen

1Tonsil

Yes I could get out euros with my uk debit card but the fee is 12 euros per hundred, so quite an expensive way to live for any amount of time. The same goes for the visa, which has an exchange fee and interest from the day you draw out cash, even if you are in credit on the card by paying extra money onto it. pre paid UK cards are not being accepted at the moment.

I went to the bank today and the money is still not available to us, in any amount, not just restricted amounts. So I have sent an email to the Greek Bank ombudsman to see if I have a case for them to follow up. My sister is coming at the end of this week so we have asked her to bring us some sterling across for emergency money.

We could transfer some money from our uk bank, but I am not sure I trust the banks to give me that either. I have a feeling they are going to close a couple of them down and take the deposits:eek: I think the banks and the country are in a far worse state than they are telling us.

I can see things going downhill for the Greek people while the tourists are here, so it is going to be really bad in the winter. I have friends with businesses and I honestly dont see how they can continue for much longer, with no access to money to pay bills and suppliers.

We are going to have to try to find a solution to our banking issues, but there does not seem to be an easy way. We could transfer money, but will we get access to it if we do? It is a big worry at the moment and the cash restrictions could go on for months....

[Deleted User]

I`ve sat down reading mse for a change, just come back from picking up a lovely artistic photo that my dh took for his salon portfolio, very special black/grey/white with a misty arched gateway in it and mounted in a grey/silver frame. Looks ethereal and has vibes. It was framed and the lady put it on her desk prior to me paying, she shivered and I asked if she was cold, no she said, it felt like a spirit passing behind her, then I felt it too and I smiled, paid and came home. Yes, another sign, mardatha said there would be signs and she was so right. Not at all scary btw, just very very comforting

moneyistooshorttomention

1Tonsil - I confess I'm struggling to get my head around just how a foreign bank can refuse you access to your sterling account for money from your own country (ie Britain) and your other comments as well.

It is difficult to understand how foreigners in a country that is "crashing" financially can be affected as you are.

I do hope you manage to get it all sorted out okay. Worrying (very) indeed.

It sounds as if you are being as badly affected as the Greeks and I cant quite understand why that would be - as your income is basically (presumably) coming from here and being kept in our currency:shocked::huh:

I think I could do with someone here explaining clearly how WE can have OUR finances in OUR currency affected whilst living in someone else's country - 'cos tis a bit beyond me I must admit...

Butterfly_Brain

All the talk of an abundance of berries is usually a warning of a hard winter, our berries have been late this year and are just coming in to fruit, so I think having extra torches, blankets and a good stock of LL milk, flour, yeast etc may be needed.

GQ Morrisons have FB pies for £1 if you need to replenish stocks

bluebag

1 Tonsil, thinking of you at the moment. Have been following the Greek crisis for some time, the situation seems really bad and there doesn't seem to be anything that will help quickly.

My heart goes out to the people, I hope something to ease the suffering comes along soon. Will keep you in my prayers.