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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not want to set up direct debits?

58 replies

Winterandspring · 20/12/2017 20:09

Does anybody else not really get on with them?

It would be fine if they all came out on the same day but as I can’t do that I find I forget about them then go overdrawn.

OP posts:
pinkyredrose · 20/12/2017 20:11

Arrange for them all to come out on payday?

Salvadore · 20/12/2017 20:11

Open another account just for direct debits, put the right amount of money in to cover them when you get paid and don’t touch that account otherwise.

MrTrebus · 20/12/2017 20:12

How old are You OP? Genuine question before i answer!

RestingGrinchFace · 20/12/2017 20:14

I am really bad with them too (gets very difficult to keep track of the date as a sleep deprived SAHM). I try to pay bills in lump sums (utilities when they come in, insurance at the beginning if the year etc) as much as possible. Most things don't actually require a direct debit.

AlonsosLeftPinky · 20/12/2017 20:16

I love them. I get paid, everything comes out straight away without me even needing to pay it any thought and I can spend what's left.

Original poster
Winterandspring · 20/12/2017 20:17

If I could I would pinky but some can’t be adjusted, and besides my pay is weekly.

OP posts:
insancerre · 20/12/2017 20:18

Love direct debits
They make life so much easier

TheIntrovertedMum · 20/12/2017 20:18

My pay is weekly too and it's a bit crap, but I don't mind direct debits I just have them spaced out throughout the month.

nannynick · 20/12/2017 20:19

Ok for some things but not others. I like to submit my electric meter reading and then get sent a bill, not have them guessimate my usage and withdraw money from my account.

Mobile phone bill I am happy to pay via direct debit, as it's the same amount each month... rare for there to be any chargeable calls.

For investing I like them... saves me remembering to move money to my investments.

I prefer standing orders as I have more control but in some situations a direct debit is ok, in others it is not. So I am 50% with you Winterandspring.

Lucisky · 20/12/2017 20:21

How many do you have? Direct debits are part and parcel of organising your finances. Presumably so much goes in to your account each month, deduct the total amount of the direct debits and know that is what has to be in your account in order to cover them. Have you tried keeping detailed accounts of your income and expenditure? It not fun, but it can be revealing and will help you keep organised.
Failure to honour a direct debit for rent or mortgage could leave you in the shit.

lauramcr · 20/12/2017 20:22

No, I find them easier

I think you need to manage your spending better and check your banking more often - if you know X bill hasn’t debit yet then make sure you have X amount in your account to cover it.

I can understand forgetting and being overdrawn once, but not constantly. Would you also forget to pay them if you switched to a manual payment?

In online banking you can view your direct debits and future payment dates - so you can see the exact dates

HidingBehindTheWallpaper · 20/12/2017 20:23

Open another account just for direct debits, put the right amount of money in to cover them when you get paid and don’t touch that account otherwise.

This is exactly what I do. All the dds come out whenever. I put slightly more than I need to to cover them and that way I have a small fund for emergency stuff.

thecolonelbumminganugget · 20/12/2017 20:23

I'd find it more stressful having to remember when to pay everything. Open a second account, tot up how much your bills are for the month, x12 divide by 52, that's how much you pay in each week then set up DDs to go out of the 2nd account doesn't matter then when the DDs go out. We add 10% to the amount we both pay ibto our bills account which this year is paying for Christmas and a pram.

Original poster
Winterandspring · 20/12/2017 20:23

Maybe, I still prefer paying them when I’ve been paid though.

OP posts:
Laiste · 20/12/2017 20:25

My mum lives in fear and awe of her Direct Debits.

She won't question the date they choose to take the money and wont change any providers because she fears the process of re setting up the dd's.

speakout · 20/12/2017 20:26

I would struggle without direct debits- probably have 20 or 30 a month far too much to organise otherwise.

Laiste · 20/12/2017 20:26

I'm not accusing you of the above OP. Just adding to the thread Flowers

speakout · 20/12/2017 20:27

What about rent/mortgage?
Council tax?
Energy?
Mobile phones?
Insurance?
Subscriptions?
Sky?
Broadband?

How do you pay all that without direct debits?

Fairenuff · 20/12/2017 20:28

What else do you propose?

Paying bills on time every month by what means?

Original poster
Winterandspring · 20/12/2017 20:29

I don’t pay rent or mortgage.
Council tax lets me pay weekly, so comes out on a Friday
Energy I pay via an app
Mobile phones, via an app
Insurance for car has to be DD, and it does cause me difficulty
Subscriptions?
Don’t have Sky.
Broadband, I ring up BT and pay when I get my bill.

OP posts:
MrsMoastyToasty · 20/12/2017 20:32

Set up a second bank account purely for direct debits.
Then work out how much in total goes out per month.
Continue to be paid your wages into your existing acount.
Divide your total monthly amount required to service your direct debits by 4.
Pay that amount from your existing account to your new one each week.
Use the original account for spending that is variable (food, petrol, clothing )

KanielOutis · 20/12/2017 20:34

Another one who has a separate bills account. Money goes in there and nothing comes out other than Direct Debits. The spends account is never overdrawn because if there isn’t money in there it isn’t spent.

ProseccoMamam · 20/12/2017 20:38

You do know that you can get all of your DD to go out on the same date

speakout · 20/12/2017 20:39

It;s easier to spread the cost with energy though surely?

Sounds too complicated to have to pay bills manually.

Itsjustaphase84 · 20/12/2017 20:41

I thought most companies allow you to select the date for the dd. My car insurance does for eg.
Makes it easier not having to manually pay each month.