Take Control of your Savings with Six Simple Tips

This post is in partnership with cashback and auto-investments app Kaldi.

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This will feel like a familiar story for a lot of us: a rough day, a late-night impulse buy, and a feeling of instant regret when the package arrives. 

New research by UK fintech start-up Kaldi has revealed that many UK shoppers feel caught in this shame-spending cycle, with 91% indulging in emotional spending purely to lift their mood and 74% experiencing shoppers remorse over these impulse buys. 

This idea of “shame-spending” is a recent and very real phenomenon, and it’s often what keeps us from reaching our financial goals. Emotional spending provides a quick dopamine boost, which makes it a hard habit to break, even though it can also bring guilt and frustration. Plus, with algorithms constantly targeting us with ads designed to encourage spending, it’s easier than ever to fall into the cycle.

A few months ago, a member of the GFY community shared their own struggles with overspending in our forum.

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Their post sparked an discussion, filled with practical, real-world tips. Drawing inspiration from the best advice shared, this article explores six actionable ways to build smarter saving habits—without feeling deprived—so you can enjoy the things you love while making steady progress toward financial security. The goal here isn’t about restriction—it’s about small, consistent shifts that lead to meaningful results over time.

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Learn from Past Purchases

As one GFY community member wisely put it: "My feeling with stuff like this is to look at the things you already have that are underused and think, 'that was a waste.' Money spent on those things could have come in handy for something now." By reflecting on past purchases that didn’t bring lasting value, you can identify patterns and make more mindful choices in the future. Next time you’re about to buy something, ask yourself: “If I spend on this now, what am I sacrificing later—whether it’s savings, a future goal, or something I truly need?”

Strike a Balance Between Treating Yourself and Saving

Rather than cutting out treats completely, allow yourself small indulgences—but within set boundaries. Allocate a monthly budget for non-essential spending while also setting aside funds for a fun savings goal, such as a weekend trip or a special dinner. One community member shared their strategy:

"How I personally stopped myself was by setting a budget for these types of items specifically, so I’m not denying myself the treats but I do have a financial limit each month. I also learned to enjoy saving and watching my money grow! Set a savings target for something fun and short-term (maybe a city break or nice meal), and then actively start topping that up. I try to aim for a ‘best of both worlds’ approach, as I’m gonna buy these things anyway (my vice right now is Elemis skincare 😂), so it’s just about being more mindful! I also don’t buy anything I don’t ‘love’ in the moment, as I know it will never get used."

This approach lets you enjoy small luxuries without guilt while keeping your financial goals on track. Kaldi's app can help you save when spending but also has a savings target feature and budgeting tools to help you get the spending-saving balance right.

Layer Your Savings Strategies

Spending money is inevitable, but you can make every purchase work harder for you. Maximise value by layering different savings techniques. Start by using credit or loyalty cards that earn points—like Nectar points at Sainsbury’s—then stack that with browser extensions that automatically apply discounts, and use cashback services to get a percentage of your money back.

Apps like Kaldi take this a step further by investing your cashback from everyday spending—whether at the supermarket or online—so your savings grow passively. And the best part? You can still collect Nectar points and other retailer rewards while using Kaldi. By stacking these strategies, you’re not just saving in the short term but also building long-term financial security.

Make a "Wants vs. Needs" List

When you’re tempted to buy something, don’t hit “checkout” immediately. Instead, add it to a list on your phone and revisit it after a set time—whether that’s a week or a month. If you still want the item and it fits your budget, you can buy it guilt-free.

One community member found this approach eye-opening:

"I actually started to make a list of things I’d seen online and wanted to buy before closing the tab, and it was definitely enlightening, as when I looked back, I’d forgotten about most of the things I’d been enamoured with at the time!"

For an extra savings boost, use cashback rewards from apps like Kaldi to fund those purchases—turning impulse shopping into a more intentional and rewarding experience.

Reduce Impulse Spending by Creating Barriers

One of the most popular community tips is to unsubscribe from marketing emails and delete shopping apps—out of sight, out of mind. You can also add small barriers to slow down impulse purchases, such as turning off one-click checkout and not auto-saving payment details.

Giving yourself a waiting period before buying can help differentiate between an impulse purchase and something truly worthwhile. Plus, by layering discounts—like using cashback apps (see tip 3 on stacking)—you create a built-in pause before purchasing, making shopping more intentional. These small but effective habits make you more mindful of how marketing influences your spending.

Assign Every Pound a Purpose

Ensure every pound you earn has a job by creating a spending plan that suits your lifestyle. This could be a zero-based budget where every pound is allocated to an expense, savings, or a goal. Alternatively, you could set percentages for different categories, like savings, bills, and fun spending.

One commenter shared their budgeting method:

"I follow the 50/30/20 budget with money moved as soon as I get paid. The 30% 'wants' portion goes into a separate account, and all 'fun' things are bought out of there. Any money left at the end of the month goes into a savings pot in that account to build up for a special treat, or to be dipped into if it's a particularly 'fun' month!"

Structuring your spending in this way helps eliminate guilt around treats while ensuring you stay on top of your financial goals. Plus, it provides peace of mind for unexpected expenses—like a broken appliance—without derailing your savings.

Final Thoughts

Being smart with money doesn’t mean cutting out everything you enjoy or feeling guilty about purchases. It’s about building better habits, adding more intention to your spending, and striking a balance between enjoying life today and preparing for the future.

Whether it’s unsubscribing from marketing emails, layering savings through cashback, or assigning every pound a purpose, small tweaks can make a big difference over time. Kaldi’s effortless approach to saving makes “saving smart” second nature, turning everyday spending into investments without extra effort. With built-in nudges, cashback rewards, and an intuitive interface, it seamlessly supports better financial habits—helping you achieve your savings goals with ease.

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Download the Kaldi app here

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