The Big Adventure

Goldiegirl

Secret_Saving_Squirrel wrote: »

That is a couple of months' interest down the drain! Men......

:rotfl::rotfl:


When I met him Mr Goldie has a current account with the Midland bank and a savings account with the Nationwide. According to him anything else is excessive, that's why there's always huffing and puffing when it comes to opening accounts!

Karmacat wrote: »

You're so good with the financial admin! At the moment, I'm thinking about the accounts ... the French stuff makes it all so difficult, I know I can't do it at the last moment...

If I was good, I'd have done this months ago ! I must admit I sometimes hanker after a more simple financial life ( as described above) but the current accounts are the only way to get a decent interest rate. I must admit I get a bit fed up with it sometimes, but the effort is worth it.

Karmacat

Definitely worth it ... the difference between 1% and 4% p.a. is huge!

What I *did* do is keep an eye on the currency exchange rate, between sterling and the euro - I sent over quite a bit of money within a fraction of the peak, got an extra ten cents for each pound, it really adds up when its a lot of money.

Goldiegirl

Karmacat wrote: »

Definitely worth it ... the difference between 1% and 4% p.a. is huge!

What I *did* do is keep an eye on the currency exchange rate, between sterling and the euro - I sent over quite a bit of money within a fraction of the peak, got an extra ten cents for each pound, it really adds up when its a lot of money.

It's very true, every small action adds up to something big.


We've just experienced a rather frustrating morning.


We made a special trip to Chatham (something we do as rarely as possible), to get this new TSB account made into a joint account. When you consider that we are both existing customers with a current account each, plus a monthly saver, you'd have thought it wouldn't be too difficult. I also took the precaution of taking ID and proof of address with us.


However, they couldn't do it today, as, because Mr Goldie is an existing customer, they wanted to see his debit card from his existing account. Unfortunately, Mr Goldie didn't have it with him. But the bizarre thing is, if he was completely new to TSB they'd have done it with the proof of ID and address that we had with us

I did ask why, and they gave me a spiel about 'maintaining the integrity of the account..... ' Excuse my language, but !!!!!!! We could fully prove who we were!


Being an ex bank employee myself I know there's no point in kicking off in the banking hall, but it does seem pretty ridiculous!


I've also been careful not to attach blame to Mr Goldie for not having his card with him. He's already huffing and puffing about the whole situation, so we'd probably end up not talking to each other if we get into a row about it!


The things we have to go through to get a few quid more in interest! We now have an appointment for Wednesday morning to have another go at it

Secret_Saving_Squirrel

You poor things. Bureaucracy.... It is ironic that I wanted to pay off the mortgage in order to free myself from these sort of situations, but now have even more in the endless pursuit of even a slightly reasonable savings rate!

Goldiegirl

Hoops have been jumped through, and we now have a joint account at TSB. But of course we had to go through a 'fact find' so it wasn't a 5 minute job. I feel sorry for these people in banks - I'm impossible to sell to! :rotfl:


I'm off to Bluewater with a couple of friends this afternoon. I've got a couple of small bits to get, but I'm looking forward to watching them shop (it's a good spectator sport!) and then a meal afterwards

Karmacat

Thank heavens the TSB thing is done! Thats been epic, really, and they made it so - you weren't buying into their upselling though?

I bet Bluewater's started to go a bit mad by now - Wednesday might be quite a good day. And shopping is a great spectator sport, I love people watching in busy places

chumpy45

Phew well done for persevering with TSB - what a marathon!

Goldiegirl

chumpy45 wrote: »

Phew well done for persevering with TSB - what a marathon!

It'll be worth it for the extra £96 approx. interest a year And we got a free coffee each during our interview :rotfl:

Karmacat wrote: »

Thank heavens the TSB thing is done! Thats been epic, really, and they made it so - you weren't buying into their upselling though?

I bet Bluewater's started to go a bit mad by now - Wednesday might be quite a good day. And shopping is a great spectator sport, I love people watching in busy places

My attitude to buying anything is, I instigate the enquiry. So upselling or cold calling never works with me, as I haven't started it! I think a lot of this mis-selling could have been nipped in the bud if people had just said 'no thanks' in the first place.


Bluewater was great. It wasn't too busy (it will be at the weekends though) and I got the bits and pieces that I wanted. We also had a nice meal.


We got our £100 M&S gift cards today for the current account switch from Nationwide to M&S Bank. I wasn't expecting the card for another couple of weeks, but I expect it was brought forward due to Christmas. Now that was a spot of financial admin that has reaped a good reward and we'll enjoy using the gift cards during the sales


Generally things are quiet here. At this time of the year it tends to be dull and dark and the rain makes it difficult to go out much. But quiet is good, and there's plenty of time for action next year

Secret_Saving_Squirrel

Absolutely. Nothing like a nice cosy house in this weather. X

Watty1

Was thinking about opening a joint TSB account but you have put me off :eek:
Mr Watty never very good about opening accounts either and I'll never get him to drive to Chatham !