Fully optimised? Feeling the loss.

bolzano

I think I might have fully optimised my & partner's finances. It's been a long haul over the past 6 months, but also really fun! I'm quite sad now my 'hobby' appears to be finishing. Anyone spot anything I've missed?

Me: non taxpayer. My partner: basic rate taxpayer.

Regular savers:
FD x2, HSBC advance x2, M&S x2, Club Lloyds x2, Halifax children x1

Current accounts for interest:
Club Lloyds (joint - would be more interest if just in my name, but partners cc paid from it etc, and it is helpful to have a joint account)
TSB Classic Plus x6
Santander (mine - our marginal savings. not full, amount will fluctuate depending on exact RS timings etc.)
Halifax reward (some)

Pensions & ISAs:
Me: BestInvest SIPP & CSD ISA - think I'm ok ish which investments now, but will continue to read.
Partner: work pension
+ will open 2x HSBC loyalty cash ISAs next tax year for the free money.

Switches done:
Halifax x2, Coop x1 (partner still to do 1), FD x2, Yorkshire x4 (partner in process of 2 more), M&S x2.

Credit cards:
Partner has Natwest CC, and gets some rewards. Made a mistake with a Next directory payment just under a year ago in the middle of house move and babies, so can't get new better credit card atm. (I am now in charge of finances).
I have an old Halifax CC I don't use. I have a low income & tried the MSE test thing - showed as pretty low chance for the best cashback cards (even before my millions of current account openings).

Outgoings:
Switched supermarkets, switched energy, will switch communications once not locked in. Mortgage a decent 1.99%.

bolzano

Oops! + Nationwide RAF of course

[Deleted User]

Hmm... Reduce utility DDs to £1/mth, and pay the defecit using 3V cards bought from Morrison's to get Fuel Saver vouchers? Siphon salary through Halifax Reward accounts each month for the free £5s? Apply for the Marriage Allowance so your hubby can benefit from 10% of your tax free amount?

bolzano

Already get the Halifax fivers. Not married - just done the calculation and the projected tax gain is less than the cost of a registry office wedding. Will investigate Morrisons vouchers.

Paully232000

bolzano wrote: »

Already get the Halifax fivers. Not married - just done the calculation and the projected tax gain is less than the cost of a registry office wedding. Will investigate Morrisons vouchers.

Just a question, how did you manage to get 6 TSB accounts?

bolzano

Paully232000 wrote: »

Just a question, how did you manage to get 6 TSB accounts?

Before they changed the T&Cs. I have 2 individual, my partner has 2 individual, and we have 2 joint. Now a couple can have a maximum of 3 between them.

MARTYM8`

Re current accounts Tesco and Bank of Scotland pay 3% on balances of up to £3k and £5k - you can have up to 2 of the former and 3 of the latter with minimum payments of £750 and £1000 a month?

Topcashback/quidco doing £80 cashback for switching to Nationwide current accounts - but refer a friend earns you £100 - depends if you want more for yourself really.

And peer to peer - Wellesley are doing £100 cashback if you invest £1500 by next Friday via Sharon Osborne's favourite money comparison site.

YorkshireBoy

MARTYM8` wrote: »

Topcashback/quidco doing £80 cashback for switching to Nationwide current accounts - but refer a friend earns you £100 - depends if you want more for yourself really.

Why not do both? They're not mutually exclusive...or at least they weren't.

YorkshireBoy

bolzano wrote: »

Now a couple can have a maximum of 3 between them.

Officially.

TartanSaver

Sounds like you've done a great job! Not a lot to suggest. Make sure your Santander account has >£3k and all your utility & comms DDs on it for cashback, but given how organised you are I'd be surprised if this wasn't the case. I presume your supermarket "switch" was to Aldi. Do you take trips abroad? If so, see if you can get a Halifax Clarity for cheap forex transactions.

Can't think of much else: but don't assume your moneysaving "hobby" is over. You'll still need to actively manage your savings, and new accounts will pop up.

bolzano

MARTYM8` wrote: »

Tesco and Bank of Scotland pay 3% ...

This doesn't beat my marginal rate of 3% at Santander (which isn't full).

MARTYM8` wrote: »

Wellesley are doing £100 cashback if you invest £1500 by next Friday via Sharon Osborne's favourite money comparison site.

I should never have googled the Osborne add (eyes hurting!). Wellesley is an interesting option though, thanks for suggesting it. I think on balance the risk vs return doesn't quite cut it for the length of time I'd need to put money away. It would be different if I had much more than fits in 5%-6% accounts anyway.

TartanSaver wrote:

I presume your supermarket "switch" was to Aldi. Do you take trips abroad?

Yes, Aldi - lucky guess or stalker? lol. No trips abroad at the moment. Definitely something to bear in mind if that ever looks like changing though, thanks.