Take control of compulsive spending

Are you making unplanned purchases? Do you think you are addicted to shopping or spending? If your spending habits are preventing you from reaching your goals, we're by your side with some tips and tools that can help.

How to stop overspending

1. Starting to budget

You can get started by using our budget calculator to understand your income and spending. Avoid spending unnecessarily by setting a contactless limit, deleting any apps that tempt you and blocking notifications from shops and takeaway services.

Our budgeting tips page also has lots of useful guides so that you can make a plan today and start planning for your future.

2. Tracking your spending

Take control with our spending insights app and track where your money goes each month. Our app notifications can send you a summary of what you’ve spent on your debit card each week and alert you when you’ve used your debit card. You can also quickly freeze and unfreeze different types of transactions, like to gambling sites to instantly block payments to gambling retailers.

You can also get advice on how to make your credit card work for you as well as understanding the cost of borrowing, including interest, fees and charges.

It’s easy to subscribe to something and forget that you’re still paying for it. You can review and manage all your subscriptions online as well as finding some great tips to help keep you in control.

3. Understanding your borrowing

We’re by your side to help you understand your borrowing and how to reduce the cost of your credit. You can start by checking your credit score for free with no impact to your credit file.

We’ll help you to understand your credit and what you can do to improve. We’ll send you updates if your score changes, letting you know what you’re doing well, as well as tips on things to work on.

4. Starting a saving habit

Our savings calculators can help set a realistic savings goal. Setting a goal and a target can help you make smarter spending decisions. We have guides to support you to start up a savings habit that might just replace your spending habit and help you understand how to stop spending money you might regret.

You can also arrange to meet one of our Banking Consultants at your Bank of Scotland branch for a free 1 hour personal review. One of our Banking Consultants will help you get the best value for money.

5. Getting independent help and support

There are other organisations that can help you with your spending habits. 

StepChange offer straightforward, free and impartial advice for you and your finances. We’ve also partnered with PayPlan who have specialists to go through your monthly income and outgoings to see what options there are for getting your finances under control.

Mental Health and Money Advice can help you to understand the links between mental health and money, how it might affect you and what the impacts might be. 

Other ways to get the support

Support with the cost of living

With the current rising cost of living impacting many of us, keeping on top of your money might be worrying. Our tools and support can help you stay on top of your spending.

Support and financial wellbeing

We’re by your side for life events, money management and extra support.

Free independent help and advice

Free independent help and advice

Get support and guidance on your finances from free independent organisations or your government.

You can also access help and guidance on benefits and housing options you may be eligible for.

Free help and advice