Just an idea to get around bank charging....

dipsy

I would never consider going to bank to pay bills, hate it when I get cheques... sit stuck with a magnet to my fridge for weeks....I work long hours and that means sat morning trip to bank.. no way I get to friday and want a lie in.....now if banks sent us envelopes to send our cheques in that would be useful

Happy Christmsas to you all and long live direct debits :-) x

CASH-IS-KING_2

BallandChain wrote: »

It's simple, why not use your main a/c for your wages to be paid in and then pay your bills manually with cash. That was the old way of doing things before direct debits became the norm! Any purchases you need to make only get paid by cash. That way you cannot go overdrawn as you can see where your money is going without using cheques or direct debits.

Just think how much more control you would have over your money and if enough people did this the consumer would be back in the driving seat and not the banks!

One main thing with cash is that it makes you realise that it's actually worth something and that you might think twice before making a purchase, unlike a credit card where you just put a pin number in and then forget about it....Well until the statement comes through....

nm1213

Why not just keep a buffer in your current account that amounts to 1 month of wages? This should allow you to pay off any incoming bills/rent etc via direct debit without incurring any charges.

On top of this, use your credit card as much as possible, and pay it off the day you receive the statement.

Using both the above methods, I have never paid a single penny in bank charges, and I don't even have an overdraft on my current account.

N.

BallandChain

I see Mike sneaked in to have a pop. I noticed you conveniently avoided the points I raised. Like I said this is for those people who are wanting to reduce their outgoings and have a tighter rein over their money. It wouldn't be of use to those of you who have credit cards all over the place.

The Post Office is an excellent place to hold an account and pay your bills at the same time. It really isn't that difficult.

noh

BallandChain wrote: »

I see Mike sneaked in to have a pop. I noticed you conveniently avoided the points I raised. Like I said this is for those people who are wanting to reduce their outgoings and have a tighter rein over their money. It wouldn't be of use to those of you who have credit cards all over the place.

The Post Office is an excellent place to hold an account and pay your bills at the same time. It really isn't that difficult.

Surely one of the ways to reduce your outgoings is to switch to paying your bills by direct debit as most if not all utility companies charge less for this method of payment?

Nigel

BallandChain

This has already been addressed here:

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.html?p=7394217&postcount=9

iceicebaby

BallandChain wrote: »

The Post Office is an excellent place to hold an account and pay your bills at the same time. It really isn't that difficult.

Its difficult for me , i work no where near a post office and during post office opening ours.

DD all the way for me im afraid

noh

BallandChain wrote: »

This has already been addressed here:

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.html?p=7394217&postcount=9

It may well have been addressed earlier but the fact remains that many companies charge less if you pay by DD. Also many give an additional discount for paperless billing.
The idea that you can reduce outgoings by paying all your bills manually in cash is plainly incorrect.

Nigel

iceicebaby

noh wrote: »

It may well have been addressed earlier but the fact remains that many companies charge less if you pay by DD. Also many give an additional discount for paperless billing.
The idea that you can reduce costs by paying all your bills manually in cash is plainly incorrect.

Nigel

Agreed...:j

BallandChain

You might get a very small discount for paying by direct debit but you are trusting that things go smoothly and they don't take out money twice or make a mistake, which takes time trying to sort out.

The argument there is no Post Office nearby doesn't wash with me as you can pay at any paypoint especially when you get your grocery shopping. Don't tell me you don't ever go shopping.....

If you are happy to let the bank run your a/c for you then that's your perogative. It is so frustrating reading the numerous posts about bank complaints and when I come up with a suggestion it's disregarded. Meanwhile I will sit back and know that I am in control while people continue to gripe about the way they've been treated by their banks, while still banking with them. LOL.