technophobe granny savings account

elsien

kimwp said:

elsien said:

So how is she planning to manage all her direct debits and paying a utility bills and sorting out insurance and car tax, pensions et cetera, not only if you go first but if you become ill and lose capacity?
Simply setting up a savings account is not going to cut it in the longer term. She needs to learn how finances properly work in today’s world, however hard that is to do. It’s not doing her any favours otherwise.
Using a smart phone is not so hard that someone older can’t learn if they put their mind to it. I have taught my 86-year-old mother to safely  use online banking and accounts. She would have much preferred me to do it for her at the time but now she’s pleased she’s maintained that independence.
as an example, her gardener and cleaner both only accept online payments they were going to accept cash - however much we made not like it, it's the way a lot of services are going.

I agree with this. If your wife is genuinely unable to learn these things, then this plan should include moving into assisted living before you pass on.

Younger family member or solicitor as LPA could resolve that. Assisted living is not going to be supporting someone with their finances and bills. Not what they do. 

mebu60

My partner is perfectly capable with technology, just not interested in finance and savings, certainly not to the degree of many of us on here. My simplification strategy, if and when it might be required for partner and/or daughter, would be to reduce number of providers in the first instance, probably moving bulk of cash into NS&I. 

Newly_retired

Your local Building Society, if you have one, is another option.
LPA is essential to future proof finances. Who do you trust? 

wmb194

Another way to go might be a bank that offers good telephone banking e.g., First Direct (HSBC).

eskbanker

TimeLord1 said:

I have aunts and uncles who have never used anything online and are approaching their 90s and do not wish to start, and you wouldn't make them. The system has basically forgotten them and moved into requirements they refuse to use or understand or can cope with. Not to mention failing eyesight. So I feel for older people, and the government needs to have a policy to protect older people. 

What specifically do you mean by 'the system', in terms of something that can be directed or influenced by government policy or legislation?

Successive governments have insisted on access to cash being maintained, for example, in response to the general shift towards online banking or even use of payment cards, so those who are either unable or unwilling to embrace technology generally have other options, even if they may not always be so convenient - there's always going to be a balance between realistic measures and striving to preserve everything as exactly the same for ever.

libra10

In our local town (Southport), we have Nationwide, Yorkshire Building Society, and Skipton Building Society.  Each have different types of accounts.  Yorkshire BS have accounts with passbooks, which might be helpful.

Not sure which building societies are available in your area, but it might be worth checking.

TimeLord1

@eskbanker I think I'll avoid political debate on the forum... And avoid derailing the help the OP is asking advice with. But mostly the banks and the government could also do much more to prevent situations like this from happening. Cash usage is growing because it's easier to budget and control, and it's not as easy to spend it with mass retail declining. Age UK should be a local option for all senior-aged people.

wmb194

TimeLord1 said:

@eskbanker I think I'll avoid political debate on the forum... And avoid derailing the help the OP is asking advice with. But mostly the banks and the government could also do much more to prevent situations like this from happening. Cash usage is growing because it's easier to budget and control, and it's not as easy to spend it with mass retail declining. Age UK should be a local option for all senior-aged people.

Computers, credit and debit cards were a big thing 25+ years ago so if you're, "approaching your 90s" and haven't got to grips with them then it is because you wilfully decided not to. 

Anyway, if you don't want online accounts there are still good phone banks like First Direct and plenty of places still have branches.

eskbanker

TimeLord1 said:

@eskbanker I think I'll avoid political debate on the forum... And avoid derailing the help the OP is asking advice with. But mostly the banks and the government could also do much more to prevent situations like this from happening. Cash usage is growing because it's easier to budget and control, and it's not as easy to spend it with mass retail declining. Age UK should be a local option for all senior-aged people.

Not sure the debate you initiated could really be described as political but for the avoidance of doubt I'm talking about government generically rather than this specific administration - however, my point was really what specific policies or laws would you consider to both improve the lives of technophobes while simultaneously being realistic and practical to implement?

I don't know what you mean by 'mass retail declining' and are you suggesting that someone should mandate a massively increased network of physical Age UK premises across the country to accommodate those who can't or won't use phones or other technology, and if so, would you see this as being taxpayer-funded instead of their current charity status?

ToastLady

wmb194 said:

TimeLord1 said:

@eskbanker I think I'll avoid political debate on the forum... And avoid derailing the help the OP is asking advice with. But mostly the banks and the government could also do much more to prevent situations like this from happening. Cash usage is growing because it's easier to budget and control, and it's not as easy to spend it with mass retail declining. Age UK should be a local option for all senior-aged people.

Computers, credit and debit cards were a big thing 25+ years ago so if you're, "approaching your 90s" and haven't got to grips with them then it is because you wilfully decided not to. 

Anyway, if you don't want online accounts there are still good phone banks like First Direct and plenty of places still have branches.

That's not strictly true. My Dad was really into computing in a big way, but has trouble dealing with computers, particularly banking nowadays (he is in his 90's). My Mum now deals with all his banking as well as hers on a laptop, she can't get to grips with banking apps and don't think she trusts them so steers clear, and I can totally understand why. You never know what position you will be in as you age.