Living abroad tips and hints for money savers

droopsnout

Thanks for the advice, both of you.

Having just spent so long in the UK, I have no great desire to return soon, so I've no idea when I'll be back to put your advice into practice. I have no utility bills in the UK, but my driving licence has my UK address. Utilities are paid by my mum, though I usually set things up for her. They might as well be in my name.

In 2008 we both flew over together but each of us went our own way for a fortnight. Like that we were able to visit all those who were personal friends rather than shared ones, and that was very relaxing, as neither of us was ever compromising or saying (out loud or just in heads), "Oh, alright then." We spent some time in quite different parts of the country. It worked well. Maybe we'll do that again another time.

donny-gal

I think DS, it would be prudent for you to change the utilities except council tax to your name, could be easier for both identification and the future.
DG

seven-day-weekend

For your water charges, you may be able to have your own and your mum's name on. Severn-Trent have all three of us on the bill. I told them the story and even said I wanted our names on for ID purposes. They did it without a problem.

My son's name is on the Council Tax, TV licence and obviously his own mobile phone bill. Mine is on the gas/electric. My husband's is on the phone bill. And a I say, all three of us are on the water bill.

Hope this helps.

gfplux

Hello droopsnout and all interested in UK bank accounts.

I posted the following in November 2009.

"Visited the UK last week. Popped into Barclay's in Kensington High street with my passport, last months statement from NatWest. Soooooooo friendly had to look round for the camera's.
Current account and regular saver account opened within 60 minutes.
On my return home had received all codes etc for online banking which I have now set up.
Well done Barclay's."

Well you can imagine my surprise to get, from Marc Wilson "personal banker" who was the gentleman who soooooooo welcomed me last year, a letter closing my account!!!!!
This is because and I quote:-

"This is due to the fact that you are not resident in the United Kingdom"

When we were going through the application did he think that Luxembourg was somewhere in Derbyshire.

So NOT so well done Barclay's and Marc Wilson.

I still have my HSBC account opened in 2008 and find their service very good and of course NatWest from before my departure from the UK.

So good tip for all who the move out of the UK - make sure you have and keep your UK Bank accounts.

droopsnout

Hi, gfplux.

It was exactly that November post that I recalled. What a poor performance by Barclays! I bet you were fuming. Didn't you open that account particularly to benefit from the decent interest rate on their savings accounts?

I guess I must now forgive the lady in Accrington who I thought was misinforming me!

But on the wider question of accounts in other countries, just why is it so hard, in these days of the EU, to open a simple chequing account in an EU member state? It makes no sense whatsoever. More and more EU citizens change country of residency these days. Just why shouldn't the ordinary honest person have accounts exactly where s/he pleases? Why shouldn't I be able to open a savings account in, say, Romania, if ever they happen to have the best interest rates around? What does the actual location of my body have to do with anything?

Could the answer be ... taxation?

donny-gal

Not sure DS they seem to offer both resident and non-resident accounts for both current and savings, and even savings in sterling here. Santander are advertising tht they transfer money to all their branches worldwide free so maybe they are worth a consideration.
DG

droopsnout

Hmm, thanks. Cr!dit Agricole here do a sterling account, and their Britline service (full French bank account) is well established for UK people wanting an account in France. So why not in Britain???

I don't think that Santander have a bank in France, do they? If they did, that would be a good solution.

Edited to answer my own question ... Santander Consumer France appears to have closed down.

Merrywidow

Bump...Bump...Everybody -

Today our lovely Seven-Day-Weekend is 60 years of age - Enjoy your day and that lovely pension money.

seven-day-weekend

Thanks MW once again! Looking forward to Monday and my first Pension payment ( I bet Nationwide won't know what's hit them as there has only been £10 in there since I opened the account in June! )

droopsnout

Happy Birthday, s-d-w!

Hope you're having a lovely day, and that the weather is a lovely present.

Please have some flowers and chocs!