HELP! bank charges every month!

emd92

Never used this before haha, but basically I'm a single parent on income support and its hard enough to scrape by but I get bank charges at LEAST once a month, i try my best to make sure money is in but its so hard.

And its only for a day or so that the money isn't in for, I've asked for an overdraft of just £50 to give me a bit of leeway in case there's no money in but the bank said no because I always have bank charges.

I was wondering if I could claim back my bank charges or not? Because I'm on benefits I was just wondering if they will knock me back because im not working.

I would really appreciate it if someone told me what to do because I haven't got a clue!.... And apparently I'm a poet:rotfl:

roonaldo

The only chance of reclaiming them is if you are in hardship, not if you are just simply overspending.

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/reclaim/bank-charges

SeduLOUs

Head over to the debt board. I know you're not in 'debt' as such, but you're obviouly struggling somewhere.

You can post a statement of affairs (a simple form to fill in your income and expenses) and you will get lots of advice on where you need to cut back.

A short term plan will hopefully get you out of the charges cycle, and then you can put the £20 or so that you were being charged away to start a savings pot, and before you know it you're on the up.

Keep positive, you can get this sorted and it's better to do it now before it ends up being a disaster.

Good luck!

brown1950

Would suggest you get a 'basic' bank account with no overdraft and thus limit possibility of incurring bank charges. Close your present bank account and make a payment plan. I have a basic bank account with Halifax Bank with no overdraft- Have not incurred any bank charges since i opened this account 4 years ago.

bengal-stripe

There is a new type of basic bank account coming (in 2015?) which will levy no charges, even if the account holder is somewhat "chaotic" in his/her financial management.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-30456219

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-basic-fee-free-bank-accounts-to-help-millions-manage-their-money