Budgeting & Bank Accounts

A question about : How to buy travellers cheques or foreign currency

Can anyone advise where best to buy Ј1000 worth of Euros (in cash)?

I was told that the Post Office is the cheapest as they charge 0% commission, however they're not very transparent on the buy/sell spread -- which is probably where they make their profit -- so it's difficult to compare them with high-street banks, bureaux de change and travel agents.

Thank

Official Insert.

There is now a full article on SENDING MONEY OVERSEAS AND CURRENCY OVERSEAS please read that.

A question about : How long does an online bank transfer take?

I'm wanting to send some money from my Santander bank account to a Lloyds TSB and HSBC account via online bank transfer.

How long should it take to complete?

I know a couple of years ago it was 3 or 4 days, but I seem to remember reading a year or two ago that the process was going to be speeded up.

A question about : April 2008 Income Tax and NI Changes: How will they affect you?

Updated 2 September 2008
(Comments in the discussion may relate to earlier incarnations of this information)

After the huge '10p tax row' in April, the Government upped everyone's income tax personal allowance (the amount you pay no tax on) from £5,435 to £6,035 to make up for it.

This takes effect next Sunday (7 Sept), so if you earn between £6,035 and £40,835, watch your payslip to ensure you get the extra cash.

What's the background?

A question about : Transaction on my current account from "who internet internet" Who are they???

My bank cant tell me any further details until tomorrow but im pulling my hair out for who this company is?

They took out 2 separate transactions on 2 days. One for Ј10 and the other for Ј20.

Im thinking maybe a betting site but not sure.

I registered with bet32 a while back but didnt authorise any funds to be transferred.

Anyone got any clue who they might be????

A question about : Strange Direct Debit -BISL BACS ACCOUNT

Just checked my bank statement I have a direct debit for Ј25 from BISL BACS ACCOUNT, has anyone got a clue who they are think it may have been bank fraud???

A question about : Where to get a VISA Electron card?

Does anyone know where I can get a VISA Electron card?

It seems to be the only way to avoid extortionate credit/debit card charges on Ryanair.com - Ј14 on a Ј104 flight! That's over 13% in charges! Sorry but I refuse to pay them that much...

I notice that Barclays offer one, but only for 16 to 19 years olds. Do you think they are fussy about the age? I was 19 once...

regards

TT

A question about : HSBC Changing all Bank accounts

Received a letter today from HSBC they are changing their account names and conditions.

Not yet read them as its a lot of info to look through as usual.

I have just cleared my overdraft with them. feel like I've had lots of stress of them glad to be shut and in credit. Might just get rid, also had one of their credit cards too ended up about 1 pound 50 in credit asked them to close and they donated it to credit. I'm sure they wouldn't write a debt off from me.

A question about : Avoid First Direct

Update Note: Now read Martin's full
How to beat the new charges article

Just moved my account to First Direct a couple of months ago, upon recommendation from a friend who works in the call centre there and she apologised to me today and told me that they are going to charge all their customers Ј10 a month from next year unless you have lots and lots of products with them so guess I have to know look elsewhere for a bank account but at least I got Ј50 from them when I opened the account