Just a thought
But almost every complaint (other than those of mistakes or incompetence) about banks I've heard from people are along the lines of "they charged me for going overdrawn, I only went over by a fiver etc" and therefore almost always the fault of the complainer.

I'm on a modest wage, I've never had a fine, a charge, whatever, in 18 years of adult banking.

I've been overdrawn, but on every occasion I phoned up the bank and told them in advance. I check my statements every week or so, I know my balance of all my accounts to within a few pence all the time.

Its really fucking easy. The banks take the piss because the customers do. They havent - to the best of my knowledge - had a penny out of me except for interest. Which funnily enough, they usually tell me about, up front, and at rate to which I agreed.

I've never entered a contract that I didnt read and agree to either.

Please, someone tell me, what is so hard about looking after ones finances?

Now, wheres my croissant and some smug looking coffee.
( I have run out of coke is a little sweaty, Fri 17 Jul 2009, 12:37, 10 replies)

I don't think people have a problem with charges as long as they are fair.
Charging someone £30 because they had to send them a letter is a bit much.
( girlinthehole, Fri 17 Jul 2009, 12:40, closed)

Actually
Most things are like that. Ever watch that Airport programme, where all it's about are folk moaning because their flight has left without them because they were in the bar, or whatever? It's rarely the airline to blame.

I will admit that banks can be a bit hard nosed. I once went overdrawn by £1 for a day, because the money I'd paid in to cover some expenditure hadn't cleared in time. I was charged for it. But explaining the situation meant that I was refunded.
( K2k6 has a proper job these days, Fri 17 Jul 2009, 12:41, closed)

I think a lot of people just don't read the small print.
At my uni about 8-9 years ago you got a free popcorn maker if you signed up for a Barclaycard. Loads of my mates did it just for the popcorn maker and then ended up spending to the (admittedly crap £250 limit) and even over, and only paid it off a year after they graduated. 4 years of debt for a popcorn maker. Sigh.
(Northern Lovely, Fri 17 Jul 2009, 12:43, closed)

To be fair
Some people go overdrawn as something hasn't cleared for whatever reason, so you don't know you're going to be overdrawn. Some people are idiots, though. I have done both.
( VandenPlas can't think of anything clever - no change there!, Fri 17 Jul 2009, 12:46, closed)

Looking after ones' finances is boring,
especially when you're young and you need every waking moment to focus on drinking and getting laid.

It's especially annoying when you are obliged to have a bank account so as you can get your wages to pay for the drinking and getting laid and the government can keep tabs on your tax payments cos lord knows we are a dishonest bunch us common public drinking and getting laid types.

Then when you finally resign yourself to the whole sorry process in your 30's/40's - call it adulthood, it turns out they need another chunk out of your wages to stay afloat cos the banks havent quite been honest about what they have been up to with your money whilst their shareholders where drinking and getting laid.

rafter
baz
(bazmorningstar efil4nat3b, Fri 17 Jul 2009, 12:52, closed)

I think thats kind of the problem
It is boring to many, but more to the point, we dont teach it to the young'uns.
Or at least, I was never taught except by my dad. I'll teach my son eventually, it wont be the fantastical mysterious world that so many believe it to be, or scary enough that people just bury their heads in the sand to avoid.

There are many things that should be taught to the young and this one of them. Do what you want, but if your lifestyle dictates that finances need not be a priority then you reap what you sow etc.

I would argue that it need not be boring. Its fantastic to have the freedome that decent finance allows. I'm in a position now, finally, where I can buy a new car with cash, pay for insurance annually, go on holiday without a credit card etc. Never having to worry too much about whether I can afford to drink next week does not appeal.
( I have run out of coke is a little sweaty, Fri 17 Jul 2009, 13:19, closed)

My father
wanted me to make a couple of mistakes (i.e get a fancy new job and then get into delicious debt) before he gave the financial "birds and bees" talk.

With his planning help, I'm almost out of debt. As much as I hate to admit it, I do take credit a bit more seriously now thanks to that little tactic.

It's kinda like weight. Easier to put on than it is to take off.
(Scritty Bakerman., Sat 18 Jul 2009, 4:35, closed)

"It's especially annoying when you are obliged to have a bank account"
Fair enough, you're obliged to have one to get paid into.

But you're not obliged to use it for anything else - you could just take your wages out of the account every month after you're paid and spend it as if you'd been paid cash. Which wouldn't land you any charges...
(stalinism, Sat 18 Jul 2009, 14:07, closed)

your life must be empty
i am simply too busy having fun to bother about whether i have had a charge or not.

I have no savings but debts and they have been written off in the last couple of years. i was trying ot pay them back and work VERY VERY hard ot do this. it goes to show that being frugle like yourself gets you nowhere.

the people with the money have been affected by the credit crunch too.

sorry if i upset you but some people are just bad with money, some are lucky and some are just c*nts!
(youareallveryveryveryunhelpful, Fri 17 Jul 2009, 13:26, closed)

well
it can sometimes be difficult, especially when you are relying on your employer to pay you, and they conveniently 'forget' two months in a row, when you have bills to pay. Otherwise, you're probably right!
( ascorbate, Fri 17 Jul 2009, 16:09, closed)