Claire's County Court Carry On

betterlatethannever

Well done on all accounts Claire. WOW @ making it through a month on your wages, i'm impressed (you must let me in on your secret)

PS hope your feeling better soon

PixiePie

Hi Claire,

It's really nice to hear someone having a relatively smoothish path - which just goes to show for most people BR isn't the end of the world, it's just a bump in the road (and a good lesson - I don't think most of us would disagree we've been a bit silly/not made exactly the right choices, and it's about rehab (which is all the rage apparently still - you can't get a place at the Priory for love nor money :P )).

Sorry about the job, but you seem to have taken it well and as a learning curve. Just nice to hear someone getting that fresh start and getting on with their life

P x

ClaireLR

12 October 2007

Well as some of you will know from an earlier thread I've decided to apply for a pre-paid credit card. I miss doing my shopping on line and I have noticed that I've been spending more on groceries by going shopping in the supermarket because I always pick up a few "extras" that I don't really need. Anyway I went on the website and applied, it was dead easy just name, address and number from my drivers' licence and job was done. Now they are going to send me a letter to take to the Post Office to pay for it, and then I should get my card in 7-10 days following that payment.

I received a letter from the people collecting my tax today to tell me that the next payment was due on 17.10.07 and enclosing a paying in book. I rang them to say I had filled in a standing order form and sent to my bank a couple of weeks ago and that the next payment wasn't actually due until the 01.11.2007. The man I spoke to had a look and said that I was right and that the postal strikes atm are the problem as our letters seem to have crossed in the post. All in all it's been pretty hassle free dealing with them, no automated service or options to pick, and today I rang at 515pm and there was still someone there answering the phone which was surprising.

Again this month I am managing my money quite well, 2 weeks today until payday, the cupboards are well stocked and there's nothing that I need. I'm even managing to put a bit away to towards the cost of MOT and tax next year as I don't want to get in a mess where that's concerned.

Next step, find a savings account I think. Anyone have any recommendations? I tried for a Co-op savings account but they declined and said it was probably due to my bankruptcy and I didn't try anywhere else.

betterlatethannever

Hi Claire.
I'm so impressed with the way your managing your money.
Not sure if they can help but have you asked at Barclays? I'm a total barclays fan at the mo because they were soooo nice to me and have been very efficient with my new account with them. Just a thought, might be worth a try.
Good luck x

ClaireLR

Thanks BLTN, I will give them a try. Is your account a savings account? If I can't get an actual savings account I may well just open another basic card accunt, just so I can separate the money I can spend from that that I can't!

philnicandamy

Clare I forgot...which bank do you have a basic acct with? natwest run a savings acc alongside their basic flex acc or have you tried the post office?

and before anyone asks how someone BR should have savings!

Savings are an essential part of budgeting post BR.

What are we supposed to do if the fridge/freezer goes wrong or the car breaks down meaning unplanned expense?
Or any number of unforeseeable expenses that can happen in life.

We can hardly put it on a credit card until next month.:D :rotfl:

Savings are all a part of learning to budget properly again, without the need for credit.

If your savings are consistent with what the OR has allowed you after your SOA has been assessed, and your circumstances haven't changed, then this level of savings will be fine.

I asked my OR about this in Liverpool and that was the response

betterlatethannever

ClaireLR wrote: »

Thanks BLTN, I will give them a try. Is your account a savings account? If I can't get an actual savings account I may well just open another basic card accunt, just so I can separate the money I can spend from that that I can't!

A savings account..ME!!!!:rotfl: the most i've ever saved in my life was £5.60 in a little plastic piggy thing once
Nope sorry its just a basic account. But its worth asking. My daughter was so impressed with the way Barclays treated me thats she's just opened a basic and savings account with them (that, and the guy behind the counter is cute ) and her savings account card doesn't have a chip on it so it can't be used in shops, the same as there account for BR's so i can't see it being a problem, you should be able to get one.
The problem with using the basic account as a savings account is the lack of interest.

ClaireLR

Yes I thought about the lack of interest,

Thanks for the posts, I think I will try the Post Office possibly. Philnicandamy my current account is with the Co-op, I've already tried them for a savings account but it's a no go unfortuantely. I totally agree with what your saying about savings, I'm budgeting now for my Tax and car MOT (due June and September respectively), there are plenty of other things I could be spending my cash on, especially give the time of year! But if I don't start putting a bit away now then I won't be able to afford it when the time comes and that's not a position I want to be in.

I've also made a headstart on Christmas this year, I've been putting bits away throughout the year for pressies, unwanted gifts BOGOF's etc, and also bought a few things to. Still have a few to get but if I spread them out over my next 3 pay packets then I should be ok.

I never thought 6 months ago I'd have savings of any kind, or that I'd be spending my own cash on Christmas, in years gone by it's always gone on the good old credit card. I'm dead proud of how far I've come in such a short space of time.

Anyone had experience with the Post Office??

philnicandamy

ClaireLR wrote: »

Yes I thought about the lack of interest,

Thanks for the posts, I think I will try the Post Office possibly. Philnicandamy my current account is with the Co-op, I've already tried them for a savings account but it's a no go unfortuantely. I totally agree with what your saying about savings, I'm budgeting now for my Tax and car MOT (due June and September respectively), there are plenty of other things I could be spending my cash on, especially give the time of year! But if I don't start putting a bit away now then I won't be able to afford it when the time comes and that's not a position I want to be in.

I've also made a headstart on Christmas this year, I've been putting bits away throughout the year for pressies, unwanted gifts BOGOF's etc, and also bought a few things to. Still have a few to get but if I spread them out over my next 3 pay packets then I should be ok.

I never thought 6 months ago I'd have savings of any kind, or that I'd be spending my own cash on Christmas, in years gone by it's always gone on the good old credit card. I'm dead proud of how far I've come in such a short space of time.

Anyone had experience with the Post Office??

I have a post ofice savings acc myself & so far had no problems with it at all

ClaireLR

Thanks PNaA.

How does the account work, i.e. is it a card or book? Can you just use the account as and when you please, do you have to give any "notice" when you want to take out your money?? Do you have to go to the post office to open the account or can it be done online? What's the interest rate like??

Sorry for all the questions!