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Free MP3 player - but what price the overdraft? |
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Tuesday, 06 September 2005 |
Free MP3 player - but what price the overdraft?
The Observer - UK
Look beyond the free gifts when choosing your account, advises Lisa
Bachelor. That free railcard won't be much use if the astronomical bank charges
you've paid mean you can't afford to go anywhere.
Fancy a free MP3 player or railcard? It's that time of year when banks are
actually giving something away - if you're a student, that is.
NatWest is offering a free five-year Young Persons Rail Card, while Barclays is
hoping freshers will prefer the coach and is offering a three- year National
Express card. HSBC is offering possibly the best student bribe of the lot - a
512Mb MP3 player or 10 CDs or £50 cash (if applying online).
For the first time, LloydsTSB has decided not to offer free gifts; and Smile,
Abbey and Halifax have again refused to join in.
But while those heading to university might quite reasonably be tempted by a
railcard worth £100 or a few CDs, they should look at the more practical stuff -
like how much of a free overdraft they will get to fund their lifestyle. As data
provider Moneyfacts point out, you might be able to buy one of the freebies
advertised with the cash you save by making the right decision.
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 07 September 2005 )
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