I'm struggling to keep tabs on my money

Roslyn Moore is disbursement two years workings in capital of Kenya, Kenya, but finds the cost and trouble of continuing to use British people bank business relationship during her stay tricky.

Miss Moore, 26, is half way through her two-year posting, workings as regional programmes military officer for a European humanitarian federal agency. She is originally from Glasgow, Scotland, where she will tax return when her contract ends in May next year.

She said: "My wage is paid in euros by my employer directly into a Bank of Scotland account every three calendar month, as I don't have a local bank business relationship and feel safer sticking to UK banks.

"I then transportation £500 of this into my nationally account to withdraw money from local cashpoints."

However, Miss Moore is charged around £50 for her wage to be paid into a sterling bank business relationship, and is keen to avoid this. Another issue is accessing and dealing with her business relationship from abroad.

She said: "I can only use the net for the nationally account, and phone banking from here is a incubus.

"This means it is very difficult to keep track of the finances, and phoning the UK for banking matters is expensive and frustrating."

Despite this, and the political unrest in her chosen location, she is enjoying her time in Africa - though she finds the cost of life high.

She said: "It's very expensive by African standards, but even by European standards it isn't cheap - rent is expensive, as is feeding out and imbibing.

"But I like the fact that I can traveling easily in the part and I am learning a lot about different cultures."

Vital Statistics

Name: Roslyn Moore

Age: 26

Location: South West Nairobi, Kenya

Occupation: Regional Programmes Officer for Eastern Africa

Salary: €13,800 after tax a month

Bank Accounts: £1,800 in Bank of Scotland Current Account, where her salary is paid into; £475 in Nationwide Flex Account

Credit Cards: £644 on Nationwide Visa card

Savings Accounts: £2,600 in Bank of Scotland individual savings account (ISA) paying 5pc

Liabilities: £8,200 student loan

Rent: £450 a month for a two-bedroom apartment, paid by employer

Assets: None

Pension: None

Insurance: None

What the experts say

There are various methods available to Miss Moore to avoid excessive bank charges, which will mount up when making regular transfers to UK-based accounts from abroad.

However, considering the limited time she is spending overseas, which she uses will depend on her preference, stressed our panel of independent financial advisers (IFAs).

Banking: Peter McGahan of IFA Worldwide Financial Planning suggested that she use an offshore account denominated in euros to wipe out the risk of currency fluctuations and avoid conversion fees. Most of the major banks offer these accounts, so she can pick one that will suit her needs.

Jonathan Spring-Rice of IFA Towry Law agreed, and said: "It is pretty typical for Miss Moore to be charged for converting the euros to sterling.

"She should be setting up an offshore account, and can ask Nationwide or the Bank of Scotland to introduce her to their offshore branches.

"They will be able to set up current accounts in different currencies, and she could have one in euros and one in sterling.

"Then, she can move any direct debits to the sterling account, and use the euro account to receive her salary and avoid charges."

Fortunately the Nationwide Flex Account is suitable for Britons spending a relatively short time living abroad.

Anna Sofat from IFA Addidi said: "She can withdraw cash from cashpoints in Nairobi without any charges, unlike other accounts, and she can use the internet to manage the account."

For ease of account access, Moore should write or fax the Bank of Scotland to request internet access. Ms Sofat said: "The account does have an internet facility, and she can communicate by email or fax if possible to get this working to avoid high call charges."

Debt: Miss Moore is in a strong position when it comes to debt, with a small sum on a credit card and a student loan - which is the cheapest form of borrowing.

However, Mr McGahan said: "She will be paying a higher rate on her credit card debt than any she can earn on a savings account so should use spare cash to repay this immediately."

Turning to the student loan, the advisers agreed that she should continue to repay this at the minimum level as payments are pegged at inflation, currently 4.2pc.

Savings: The rate on her cash ISA is not among the most competitive, but Ms Sofat recommended Miss Moore leave it in place until she returns.

Then she should consider switching providers and check best buy tables on www.moneysupermarket.com to suit her needs.

Insurance: Miss Moore should have travel insurance in place - there are extended policies available that last up to 18 months.

However cover may be provided by her employer, along with health insurance, and she should ensure she knows what benefits she has in place.

Action Checklist

•Consider opening an offshore euro account.

•Write or fax the Bank of Scotland to request internet access.

•Continue to pay off student loan gradually, but wipe out credit card debt.

•When back on home soil, switch to a higher-paying ISA.

•Check what insurance cover is offered by employer.

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