thanks rose! my flag is changed
thanks again all for the good wishes.
here is one more financial woe story... but all is resolved now
so after rushing to get this bank account so my salary could be paid into it, I found out it wasn't! apparently, I didn't have the bank details in time. I was told one week before would be sufficient, but it was really due on the 6th and I didn't start work until the 5th nor had the account until the 8th... not that anyone told me I was too late. I had no money to withdraw Friday afternoon. Payroll told me a paycheck was sent to my house but since they didn't have my address it got bounced back to payroll and wasn't mailed until the Thursday before Christmas... which with all the Christmas mail and me travelling back to the US just wasn't good timing. I asked if they could stop the check and issue me a new one but was told nothing could be done. Of course after all the bank frustrations, I was exhausted and after a nice cry because I had just spent my last £66 on the water bill and resigned myself to pull out more money from my US bank. That's when I got a phone call at 4pm the Friday before Christmas from the head financial dude (which I am certain they pulled from a Christmas party) that they would pay my salary in CASH! Well, that was am unbelievable twist in good fortunate!
The next morning Christmas eve, I had three hours to deposit my cash. I paid my rent in cash to the property management's bank account and then walked over to HSBC to have my basic bank account upgraded to a current account (as they promised after I had a utility bill.) I was told I couldn't and had to keep the basic account... which is just a cash card only for HSBC, so not very practical. I was even told that I could use that cash card at other bank cash machines (huge lie even I knew that). I called them on that and said I have been in this bank 8 times in 3 weeks and each time given different information. I said all of these difficulties made me not want to do business with them. I just walked out and back to Lloyd's where I had deposited my rent. I asked if they would open a current account for me. Yep and in 30 minutes I was on my way and back into HSBC with my basic bank card and deposit book and nicely said I wanted to close my account. To my surprise, HSBC even called while I was in the other bank and left me a message. I think they were going to open a current account for me but I wanted nothing to do with them! In one minute, they had me sign a form closing the account and TA DA I was free!
Other updates... I found an NHS dentist first try and I have an appointment just after the new year when I get back to the UK.
The NIN process was smooth. I had all the paperwork and I was out the door in 20 minutes.
I am having my BT line installed and then one of these days internet.
Ah, it will be great going back to the UK after the new year and already "have a life" set up.
I am quite impressed all I accomplished in 3 weeks!
