An Avalanche of Austerity for April - Mumsnet frugaleers continue!

[MissAnnersleyismyhero]

Thought I'd start a new thread for April

£13.50 at the butterfly farm.

I always spend ££££ in sainsburys too

HELP!!!! I NEED HELP.... Please
Tried to call TSB today to close down my account. Online it states, you can call in to their customer service and close account. Called in and got told, you need to go down to your branch. Easier said than done, I live outside UK now and have no idea when/if I might go visit back again.
Then she said, I could send a letter to my branch with my sort and account number in it, which I find stupid, because what if that letter get lost/stolen in the mail, then someone has my personal information and card details.
When I mentioned that she just said, that was my 2 only options to close it and nothing they could do.

So please help.

What do I do?

Anybody know a mail address for TSB, so I could send them a mail?
Or should I just ignore and then assume at some point they will close down my account when the monthly fees goes over my 100 pound overdraft? I did try to chance to non fee account, but then I needed to go over an application form, where they wanted my company information ect., have no intention of giving them that...

Help....

I would send them a letter. Not much can be done with your acct number and sure code. Or could you fax it? I bet you could find a fax number online.

Italian is this any help to you to find the address of the branch that you need? You can get the branch phone number from this and if you ring the branch directly they can put a note on your file that you wish to close the account, and maybe send you the forms to sign? Hope that helps a little.

branches.money.co.uk/branch-locator/TSB.htm

I think it's more likely they would send you to recovery if the account charges escalate. If you wanted to come back to the uk & you've got a ccj you wouldn't get a mortgage or a rental agreement.

I'd send a letter to them on a signed for mail service & shut it down that way.

Even if someone DID get your sort code & account number and bought something with the information they are breaking the law and you would not be liable.

55p in Aldi.

TSB,
Box 1,
BX4 7SB

I have closed a current account when I lived overseas by sending a letter (to Lloyds). Account number and sort code will not give away your card details (the same information is on your cheque book too). I sent it via registered mail. Maybe you can do the same?

Never ignore or assume. Is it a business account that you are trying to close?

Fluffy is right I think, dormant accounts can have an adverse effect on your credit score, if you ever come back to the UK (and you can never be too sure of the future).

I dont want to just let it escalated, thats why I called to get it closed, because its now in plus with a bit and have never and dont want to "owe" anybody money, just didnt like the fact that they were so unhelpful and I did ask if they could put a note on that the account was going to be closed, so that the account could not be used, but no help whats ever.
Think I will then just send them the letter, cut the card and hope the best.
I know a lot of foreigners, who I worked with in the UK, who just left and cut the card and didnt care, but I am not that kind of person.....

Thanks for the address, but where told it has to be to the branch. I dont want to ignore or assume, if I did, I probably would not have asked for help ;)
But I am surpriced about the banks socalled customer service or lack off, lousy.
Its a personal account

Italian did the link work I sent you to find the branch address?

Yes it did FantaSea Mange thanks :D ....

Hope you can get it sorted out soon italian. It's a pain when you live overseas.

Just been reading (in my "free" newspaper from Waitrose) about how Tesco has become more expensive than Waitrose on many products. We used to shop at Tesco and each week got more and more expensive. We have managed to save a significant amount by shopping at Ocado (buying a lot of Waitrose products) and Morrisons.

insideleg For us, its the school holidays. We are all off during the holidays and our spending can increase by 50% during the holidays. I have already started saving for the summer for the increase in the spending that it inevitably brings. That and no income for me during the holidays means its financially painful, very painful.

Grr my plan to switch to 0% credit card with my bank didn't work as I'm currently overdrawn which is unauthorised. Therefore cannot switch for 6 months with them. I will seek out another 0% transfer in the meantime & if unsuccessful still aim to be rid of one card within the six months.

That's so annoying about closing the account! Nearly more work than opening one!

cool yes it is one of those things that I don't budget for and I should. My DC are not old enough to go to school (1 and 3) but I'm a teacher so really I should know better and allow for it!
Have been making small payments on my credit card every few days as the month develops. It is better than a large one off payment at the start or waiting til the end when it could be frittered away before then. Little by little!

4.98 in b&m and 9.74 in Aldi. We're supposed to be going to friends for tea tomorrow and have a friend for lunch on sat. Today's spends included things to take tomorrow and extras for lunch. However, DS has just been sick again so at least tomorrow's tea is looking unlikely. Do children get ill less often as they get older???? I feel like I'm constantly off with him and do worry about what work think.

ilovepicnmix yes, children get ill less often when they get older. My DD was ill constantly until she was about 5, coughs, colds, sickness bugs, viral illnesses, plus she had asthma, it was never ending. I think their immune system picks up when they get a bit older and they don't get ill nearly as often. Hope he feels better soon.

Dd and ds have been constantly ill since November when we all came down with a sickness bug (I ended up in itu for four days!). They've had chest infections, ear infections, coughs, colds, viruses etc etc. I hope it improves with the weather!

It's the only way to build the immune system. Can't be immune to something you've not had/immunised against.

Crap isn't it?.

Thank you all. A moment ago I was seriously considering moving back to Scotland so my family could help out in times like this. Maybe I was being a bit dramatic

Spendy day today again £5.95 to get into soft play, £11.35 for coffee and cake whilst there and £47 in Aldi.

We're going to the wildlife park tomorrow with dsd and her ds(2). That won't be cheap either. I will need to hibernate at the weekend to recoup!

£3 on fizzy drink and crisps for school, informal party for a birthday during lunch break. £3 on post school drinks. £2.55 road toll. £40 on petrol

Friday I'm going into town, will use the cheap road this time.

Will try to catch up later.

Will be a bit spendy today as I have a friend coming to stay who has lots of allergies, have to get yeast-free bread among other things for her to eat!
It will be great to see her though.

Busy day of cleaning and tidying ahead!

missannersley fab news about your dh's job.
ilove I remember the stage where you feel the DC are continually I'll and you're having to juggle work and home continually. it does get better
Spendy week here. Shoes for me and both DC yesterday but needed. On our way to Devon to stay with pil until tuesday. Will try to minimise spending as much as possible

Devon

Called bank again, spoke with a manager, who of course understood that sending a letter with personal information is not on. So she "closed" the accounts so they can not be used, and then we send the letter and when received they will closed them permanently. So now even if the letters gets lost, nobody can use the information for anything, phew. She also apologized for the bad service I received yesterday said, that I was both misinformed and spoken badly too. So now we just need to make the letters, sign them and get them sent.
Spent 30 Euros today on bus/tram/train cards for both DP and me, and 10 Euros on Dutch beers. My parents are coming tomorrow, YAAAAI, so wanted some Dutch beers for my dad :)
Beside this nsd, I have so much work to catch up on and given that I am "off" next week, I spend all day typing .... :)