where to turn

artnoble

thanks mush,

i asked payplan for help a few years back, and they were very usefull. i found that dealing with my own debts was fine in the end, which at the moment i also did. its this overdraft, its really thrown me for 6. never had a payday where i've been without money.

plus its the last payday before xmas

MushyPeas

artnoble, you poor thing, sounds really stressful. People have had some good suggestions so I hope that helps. Take care m'dear x

Teacher2301

Although no consilation - this might be just all banks tightening up in light of recent fears (Northern Rock et al, and the possibility of having to pay back millions of charges) - my wife has been in a similar situation - she has no regular income and was forced to close her A&L account - to which I had to pay-off her od. I was there to bail her out. The bestadvice I can give is open another account straight away but look on the cash back reward sites (Quidco etc) and get some cashback/ benfit while you're at it. Have a look in the papers or moneysupermarket.com for best bank league tables for lowest interest rates on od or highest rates when in credit - or better still - this website.

artnoble

maddriver wrote: »

Smile also sent me similar message, were going to chop it down to the basic £500 overdraft they give you when you open the account.

I called them last week, and after they looked into the account and aggreed I had been sticking to the limit, they agreed to keep it to the level I've had for the last year.

I did have the option of reducing it by £20 per month, perhaps if they say no outright you could prompt for this? (I said no, as the OD is my cheapest debt, and I'd like to keep it till the credit cards are down to a dull roar).

thats made me feel a little better before I go to bed, cheers mate.

I'd make a real effort and even reduce it by £100.00 a month, but the whole shabang in one pop.

the only thing that will do me is that i think i've exceeded it the last 2 months.

artnoble

Teacher2301 wrote: »

Although no consilation - this might be just all banks tightening up in light of recent fears (Northern Rock et al, and the possibility of having to pay back millions of charges) - my wife has been in a similar situation - she has no regular income and was forced to close her A&L account - to which I had to pay-off her od. I was there to bail her out. The bestadvice I can give is open another account straight away but look on the cash back reward sites (Quidco etc) and get some cashback/ benfit while you're at it. Have a look in the papers or moneysupermarket.com for best bank league tables for lowest interest rates on od or highest rates when in credit - or better still - this website.

due to my default with natwest im pretty no go really with new credit, things get paid but i was a little stupid a while back and used to miss payments etc.

thanks for the advice though, its all appricated.

Teacher2301

We can't all be angels though artnoble - you have to live! Sometimes we all say s*d it!

artnoble

maddriver wrote: »

Smile also sent me similar message, were going to chop it down to the basic £500 overdraft they give you when you open the account.

I called them last week, and after they looked into the account and aggreed I had been sticking to the limit, they agreed to keep it to the level I've had for the last year.

I did have the option of reducing it by £20 per month, perhaps if they say no outright you could prompt for this? (I said no, as the OD is my cheapest debt, and I'd like to keep it till the credit cards are down to a dull roar).

looking at the message as well, it was sent at 4:08am, do you think it was an automated decision?

maddriver

artnoble wrote: »

looking at the message as well, it was sent at 4:08am, do you think it was an automated decision?

Yes, in fact mine said something along the lines of "we can conduct a manual review of your overdraft facility."

Mine was sent 4:19am. I'd say its an automated review at the end of the agreement.

artnoble wrote: »

the only thing that will do me is that i think i've exceeded it the last 2 months.

I was put on a £20 per month reduction plan after I'd exceeded the limit, written cheques that bounced on the cheque gurantee card. Started at a £1000 (iirc) and came down to £740 before they offered to fix it there for 12 months, and thats the level they've just renewed.

Explain to them that you can't cope with the reducton all at once, they usually can work something out.

There is a section called "managed accounts", they seem to have more authority to negotiate deals than the CS reps. iirc it was they who agreed the £20 pm deal for me, and I think I got put through to them when I was asking to keep it at £740.

poppy10_2

artnoble wrote: »

Vanquis - £250 bal (£250.00 c/l) 39.99% APR

Jebus, is that legal? :eek:

artnoble

poppy10 wrote: »

Jebus, is that legal? :eek:

lol apparently so, thank god the balance isn't so big. Think that will be the first to go.