[entwisi]

They can only change the amount if they provide advanced notice of a change. This must be > 1 week IIRC You can challange any changes and they are then not allowed to make the change. If a company takes anything other than a previous agreed amount the Bank must immediately credit your account and cannot make any charges against you on the basis of that transaction. e.g. if you go overdrawn because of that one transaction then no charges, if you had three other payments go out that would have made you overdrawn regardless then they can.

All this is covered by teh Direct Debit guarantee which all banks signed up with.

Cherokee, a standing order is not them taking money, its you paying them. they have no say in the transaction whatsoever.

I'd also agree with Neil on the idea of a bills account. you know what bills you have to pay, paying teh cash in a day before a direct debit is due is no different than walking to teh post office etc with your bill in your hand and paying it. Having a household budget is probabaly one of teh biggest tips anyone could take. know exactly what it costs to live gives you control of your life. I regularly sit down and go through our budget so we know what we can afford to spend each month/plan for hols/ save up for new cars. etc