Money worries can take over. Whether you're struggling to pay back debt or make ends meet, we're here to help you get a grip on your finances with support, suggestions and who to talk to.

Support is here.

<h5>Top tips for budgeting:</h5>
<ol>
  <li>
    <b>Ease into the habit.</b> Secrets out, budgeting is as crucial as your
    maths teacher warned. Start small and work your way up. Looking at your bank
    account and seeing where you may be overspending will help you become more
    aware of your money habits and ease you into more challenging aspects of
    managing your finances.
  </li>
  <li>
    <b>Make space for the things you love.</b> Being more intentional with
    spending your hard-earned money sounds simple, but by separating your
    purchases into “wants” and “needs,” you'll see how your habits need to
    change for the better. Too many takeaway coffees? Another plant? You'll be
    surprised at how much all those little “wants” add up.
  </li>
  <li>
    <b>It's time to talk.</b> You'd go to your friends for relationship advice
    or tell them about that person making your life hell at work. But sometimes,
    talking about money can feel embarrassing. It shouldn't be. Ask your friends
    and family how they save. Suggest a spend-free activity when things are a
    bit tight before payday. Tell them about your financial goals. They may have
    some good advice – or they'll at least make you feel a bit better.
  </li>
  <li>
    <b>Turn it into a challenge (the good kind).</b> Let's face it: budgeting,
    sorting bills and making spreadsheets isn't most people's idea of fun. But,
    by breaking it down into simple challenges like saving £5 a week, you'll
    make it manageable – and you'll be surprised by how much it adds up to over
    the year. Get your friends to join you and keep each other accountable.
  </li>
  <li>
    <b>Cull your subscriptions.</b> If it doesn't make your life easier or
    happier – cancel it. Whether it's the gym membership you haven't used for
    six months or the streaming service that didn't renew your favourite show,
    it's time to cut those useless subscriptions out of your life (and your bank
    balance). Kick them to the curb, and see how much that saves you throughout
    the year.
  </li>
</ol>


5 budgeting tips you can start today

<p>
  New Year’s money resolutions starting to slip? Don’t stress! Today is
  International Break Up Day (yes, it’s really a thing) which marks the perfect
  time to break up with the things that are getting in the way of your financial
  goals.
</p>
<p>
  You might be reminiscing on a time when you ended a relationship with an ex
  who wasn’t the right fit or shut down a friendship you were better off without
  (sorry!). Breakups can be tough, but they’re not all bad and are often a great
  opportunity to start fresh and find that which is more suited to you.
</p>
<p>
  If you’re ready to take back control of your finances, follow our guide to
  help kick your bad banking habits to the curb once and for all.
</p>
<h5>Going through your phone</h5>
<p>
  Keeping an eye on your bank balance and monitoring transactions can be a bore,
  but failing to do so can be costly. If you don’t regularly check your account,
  it can be easy to neglect your budget or go overdrawn without realising.
</p>
<p>
  Get into the habit of tracking your spending by checking your balance every
  few days, or turn on Kroo notifications so you can make more informed choices.
</p>
<h5>Check those charges</h5>
<p>
  If you’re avoiding tracking your spending like you’re avoiding your ex, you’re
  likely not noticing the extra costs associated with your account use.
</p>
<p>
  Monthly account fees and overseas transactions fees can add up, so being aware
  of them and factoring them into your spending will help. With a Kroo current
  account, debit card spending is free overseas as we pass Visa’s real exchange
  rate directly to you.
</p>
<h5>Where does your money spend the night?</h5>
<p>
  There’s no such thing as free money – but keeping your money in a current
  account that gives you interest is a simple way to grow your funds without
  lifting a finger.
</p>
<p>Don’t miss out on earning on your average balance.</p>
<h5>Turn IOU into I ❤️ U</h5>
<p>
  Covered the cost of a mate’s coffee but feel stressed asking for the money
  back? Join the club. There’s nothing worse than having to ask friends or
  family for money that you’ve lent them, especially when it’s only a small sum.
  Although this can feel pretty uncomfortable, it’s better than being out of
  pocket during a time when every penny counts.
</p>
<p>
  The split bill feature on the Kroo app helps make this process much less
  awkward. You can easily find friends through their phone numbers and send and
  request money instantly.
</p>
<h5>Compatibility test</h5>
<p>
  Reviewing your subscriptions is a great way to weed out any you can cut. You
  wouldn’t want to put energy into a relationship that isn’t giving it back to
  you, so why would you pay for a subscription or extra phone data you’re not
  using?
</p>
<p>
  It sounds simple, but taking the time to pluck out unnecessary expenses is a
  great way to save money. It may seem like a lot when you’re cutting them out
  one by one, but a £5 monthly subscription adds up over the year, and when the
  cost of everything seems to be rising, that makes a difference.
</p>


Time to break up with your bad banking habits

<p>Most people think improving their finances means one thing: saving more.</p>
<p>
  But in reality, one of the biggest opportunities is much simpler, making
  better use of the money you already have.
</p>
<p>
  Small changes to how you organise, manage and move your everyday money can
  make a meaningful difference over time, often without requiring you to earn
  more or cut back.
</p>
<p>Here are a few practical ways to make your money work harder.</p>
<h5>1. Separate what you spend from what you keep</h5>
<p>
  One of the most effective ways to stay in control of your finances is to
  clearly separate your money into different purposes.
</p>
<p>For example:</p>
<ul>
  <li><p>Spending money for day-to-day use</p></li>
  <li><p>Short-term savings for upcoming expenses</p></li>
  <li><p>Longer-term savings for future goals</p></li>
</ul>
<p>
  When everything sits in one place, it’s easy to lose track of what’s actually
  available to spend. This can lead to overspending or leaving money sitting
  idle.
</p>
<p><b>What to do</b></p>
<ul>
  <li><p>Keep your everyday spending balance clear</p></li>
  <li><p>Move anything you don’t need immediately into savings</p></li>
  <li><p>Set aside money for specific goals or upcoming costs</p></li>
</ul>
<p>
  Using tools like <a href="/current-account/pots">Pots</a> can help make this
  easier, giving each part of your money a clear purpose so you always know
  where you stand.
</p>
<h5>2. Don’t leave large balances sitting idle</h5>
<p>
  It’s common to keep extra money in a current account “just in case”. While
  this can feel reassuring, it often means your money isn’t working as
  efficiently as it could.
</p>
<p>
  Over time, even small amounts left idle can add up in missed interest or
  missed opportunities.
</p>
<p><b>What to do</b></p>
<ul>
  <li><p>Decide on a comfortable buffer for your current account</p></li>
  <li><p>Move anything above that into a savings account</p></li>
  <li><p>Review this regularly as your spending changes</p></li>
</ul>
<p>
  The goal isn’t to move everything, just to make sure more of your money is
  working for you, not sitting still.
</p>
<h5>3. Build flexibility into your savings</h5>
<p>
  Many people avoid moving money into savings because they’re worried they might
  need it later.
</p>
<p>But saving doesn’t have to mean locking your money away.</p>
<p>
  Having access to your money, without penalties or restrictions, can actually
  make it easier to save consistently, because you know it’s there if you need
  it.
</p>
<p><b>What to do</b></p>
<ul>
  <li><p>Choose savings options that allow easy access</p></li>
  <li>
    <p>
      Avoid overcommitting to accounts with strict conditions unless you’re sure
    </p>
  </li>
  <li>
    <p>Think of flexibility as part of your financial plan, not a compromise</p>
  </li>
</ul>
<h5>4. Focus on consistency, not perfection</h5>
<p>You don’t need to make big changes to improve your finances.</p>
<p>
  In most cases, it’s the smaller, consistent decisions that have the biggest
  long-term impact.
</p>
<p><b>What to do</b></p>
<ul>
  <li><p>Check your balances regularly (weekly is often enough)</p></li>
  <li><p>Move small amounts into savings consistently</p></li>
  <li><p>Adjust your approach as your needs change</p></li>
</ul>
<p>Over time, these small habits can make a significant difference.</p>
<h5>5. Make the most of tax-free saving</h5>
<p>
  Once you’ve built a structure that works, it’s worth thinking about how to
  make your savings more efficient.
</p>
<p>
  A Cash ISA allows you to earn interest tax-free, which means more of your
  money stays yours.
</p>
<p>
  Importantly, modern ISAs don’t have to come at the cost of flexibility, you
  can still access your money when needed, depending on the type of ISA you
  choose.
</p>
<h5>A simple shift that makes a big difference</h5>
<p>Improving your finances doesn’t always require big changes.</p>
<p>Often, it’s about:</p>
<ul>
  <li><p>Being a little more intentional</p></li>
  <li><p>Keeping your money organised</p></li>
  <li><p>Making small adjustments regularly</p></li>
</ul>
<p>
  When your money is visible, structured and flexible, it becomes much easier to
  make it work for you.
</p>
<h5>Stay in control with Kroo</h5>
<p>With Kroo, you can:</p>
<ul>
  <li>
    <p>Organise your money into <a href="/current-account/pots">Pots</a></p>
  </li>
  <li><p>Keep track of spending and savings in one place</p></li>
  <li><p>Move money easily between accounts</p></li>
  <li>
    <p>
      Build savings that stay flexible with our
      <a href="/cash-isa">Flexible Cash ISA</a>
    </p>
  </li>
</ul>
<p>
  Helping you stay in control of your everyday money, and get more from it over
  time.
</p>
<p>
  View our summary box <a href="/cash-isa#summary">here</a>, and to view our Key
  facts document, click
  <a href="/files/kroo-key-features-document-for-flexible-cash-isa.pdf">here</a
  >.
</p>


Are you making the most of your everyday money?

Managing your day-to-day spending.

<p>
  Whether you have a lot or a little, money features in our everyday lives and
  the effect it has on our mental wellbeing is discussed far too infrequently.
  We blame it on ‘being British’ — but it’s time we stopped hiding and start
  breaking down the barriers around money talk. One of the main drivers for
  launching my platform, This Girl Talks Money, is the lack of open discussion
  about money and the scarcity of accessible, simple information. Being a
  textbook millennial, I care about making a positive change in the way we
  approach conversations about money and improving access to knowledge to enable
  every person to feel more confident with money.
</p>
<p>
  My own experience with money has been much like many young people. Growing up,
  my attitude towards spending was centred mainly on clothes and money was
  merely a facilitator for fuelling my shoe obsession as a teenager. When I
  began earning during my final years at school, I was lucky to be in a position
  where I had minimal expenses and took a very short term approach to money,
  saving only for expensive handbags and holidays. Only in my mid-twenties did I
  begin to want to learn about money management and I self-taught a lot of what
  I know, through books and online publications (mostly aimed at my parents’ age
  group).
</p>
<p>
  My approach to money and the mentality I have towards money has been critical
  in my decision to leave a high paying secure career path to pursue a more
  creative, less reliable freelance career. I can’t pretend that at times, I
  often envy the position I could have been in financially had I stayed in an
  environment which was, unfortunately, damaging my mental health. One thing I
  often discuss on my channels comes from my first-hand experience: money really
  is not an end goal but a tool and should be treated as one. The trouble here
  is that using a tool requires a level of knowledge which isn’t being taught,
  so money is left to be figured out alone.
</p>
<blockquote>
  <p>
    “money really is not an end goal but a tool and should be treated as one.”
  </p>
</blockquote>
<p>
  Fear surrounding money and scarcity of funds, most commonly due to a lack of
  knowledge about personal finance, taxes and all things money-related,
  frequently results in decision-making based purely on finances. Only when
  people see their bank accounts looking healthy but they feel unfulfilled do
  they realise that they have been working for money; money hasn’t been working
  hard for them. From my experience, understanding the role of money and how to
  control and maximise my own finances regardless of income has been essential
  to my money mindset and is something I feel every individual can benefit from.
  In a time where our mental health is being put under pressure from all
  directions, empowering each other and ourselves to manage money confidently is
  one clear way we can help protect our wellbeing.
</p>


Money & Mental Health

<p>
  The cost-of-living crisis has seen a spike in scammers across the UK, with
  over 40 million people affected. And according to Citizens Advice,
  <a
    href="https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/about-us/about-us1/media/press-releases/over-40-million-targeted-by-scammers-as-the-cost-of-living-crisis-bites/"
    target="_blank"
    rel="noreferrer noopener"
    >12% of these scams are related to energy.</a
  >
</p>
<p>
  Scammers are professionals and can often seem legitimate. They take advantage
  of things like financial stress and target vulnerable people. With the
  increasing cost of energy impacting the entire country, fraudsters are
  capitalising on this opportunity to strike.
</p>
<p>
  We’ve put together some simple steps you can take to protect yourself and
  those around you.
</p>
<p>Let’s take a look.</p>
<h5>What exactly are energy scams?</h5>
<p>
  Energy scams involve people impersonating energy companies or government
  agencies to get your money or personal information.
</p>
<p>
  They can use grants, promises of cheap energy, and renewable energy claims to
  manipulate you into handing over information.
</p>
<p>There are many ways scammers might get in contact with you, including:</p>
<ul>
  <li><b>Text message</b></li>
  <li><b>Email</b></li>
  <li><b>Social media.</b></li>
  <li><b>Website pop-up.</b></li>
  <li><b>Phone call</b></li>
</ul>
<h5>What are some of the most common types of energy scams?</h5>
<p><b>Energy rebate scams</b></p>
<p>
  Fraudsters have recently been using the £400 government energy bill rebate to
  trick people into handing over their personal information. They’ve also been
  advertising large sums of available financial support to vulnerable people.
</p>
<p>
  <b
    >If you qualify for the £400 government support, it will be automatically
    applied to your account. You don’t need to hand over any information to
    anyone.</b
  >
</p>
<p>
  Starting in October 2022, the discount will be applied to your monthly
  household electricity bill automatically for six months.
</p>
<p>
  Head to the
  <a
    rel="noreferrer noopener"
    href="https://www.gov.uk/guidance/getting-the-energy-bills-support-scheme-discount"
    target="_blank"
    >government website</a
  >
  for more information.
</p>
<h5>Ofgem energy scams</h5>
<p>
  A fraudster might contact you posing as an official from the energy regulator,
  Ofgem. They may request that you change your bank account information or
  provide personal information to receive funding or low-cost energy.
</p>
<p>
  <b
    >Ofgem will never ask for personal information, and there is no need for you
    to do anything to save £400 on your energy bills this winter. Ofgem will
    never sell you energy or visit your home.</b
  >
</p>
<p><b>Energy efficiency and home improvement scams</b></p>
<p>
  A scammer may claim that your home is unsafe and that changes are essential to
  protect you and your family.
</p>
<p>
  <b
    >This should not happen, so contact Citizens Advice or speak to a qualified
    and accredited professional if you have any worries.</b
  >
</p>
<h5>How to recognise an energy scam</h5>
<p>
  The best way to spot an energy scam is to be prepared and know what to look
  for. Spotting the red flags is the best way to keep your personal information
  safe.
</p>
<p>
  Energy scammers frequently impersonate government websites. Often they can
  look convincing, but look out for spelling errors or a URL that looks
  different or suspicious.
</p>
<p>Also, keep an eye out for:</p>
<ul>
  <li>An offer appears to be far too good to be true</li>
  <li>Pressure to transfer funds as soon as possible</li>
  <li>Requests for personal information such as passwords or PINs</li>
  <li>Unexpected payments</li>
  <li>Suspicious claims</li>
</ul>
<h5>What should you do if you suspect a scam?</h5>
<p>
  If you suspect a scam but have not yet provided any personal information or
  money, you can seek help from Citizens Advice.
</p>
<p>
  If you’ve given your personal information or made a payment, you should
  contact your bank immediately. You should also notify
  <a
    rel="noreferrer noopener"
    href="https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/reportscam"
    target="_blank"
    >Action Fraud</a
  >
  and
  <a
    rel="noreferrer noopener"
    href="https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/scams/reporting-a-scam/"
    target="_blank"
    >Citizens Advice</a
  >
  about the scam. That way, you can help reduce the chances of someone else
  being defrauded.
</p>


Keep your money safe from fraudsters

<p>
  <b
    >2024 has arrived, and how time flies. But as the days start to get (a
    little) longer, have you considered setting yourself some financial goals
    for the coming year and beyond?</b
  >
</p>
<p>
  Whether saving for something big, paying off debt or just looking to get into
  healthy financial habits, now's the time to put your plan into action. And
  with our brand new feature, Kroo Pots, about to launch, you’ll have the
  perfect tool to separate your savings and make your goals happen.
</p>
<p>
  In this blog, we'll talk about some key tips and considerations for effective
  money management – take a look below.
</p>
<h5>Look back to 2023.</h5>
<p>
  Before taking steps to improve your financial wellbeing, it's essential to
  identify the areas that need attention. Take a look back at the past year.
  What sort of financial challenges did you face? Were you prepared for any
  unexpected costs?
</p>
<p>
  Having a clear understanding of your behaviour is key to setting realistic
  goals.
</p>
<h5>Set your financial goals.</h5>
<p>
  Once you've looked back, it's time to look forward. What changes are you
  looking to make? Is there something you want to save for? Perhaps a house or a
  holiday? Or maybe you want to clear some high-interest debt you've built up?
</p>
<p>
  It might feel a little intimidating at first, but once you've broken these
  goals down into smaller steps, it'll feel much more realistic.
</p>
<h5>Set your budget.</h5>
<p>
  It all starts with budgeting. Not the most thrilling subject, we know, but
  when you have a goal to aim for, it's well worth the effort.
</p>
<p>
  Spend some time creating a detailed budget of your incoming and outgoing
  funds. Write it down or create an Excel spreadsheet. Include your fixed
  expenses; these are your expenses that are the same every month (e.g. rent and
  bills), your variable expenses that may differ depending on the month (e.g.
  takeaways and clothing), and any savings you might already have.
</p>
<p>
  Try not to start by being too aggressive. The key to sticking to your budget
  is making it realistic in the first place. If you give it a few months and
  it's not working, review it and adjust.
</p>
<h5>Create a rainy day fund.</h5>
<p>
  Unplanned expenses happen. Your car breaks down, and there's a hefty bill. Or
  your dog gets sick, and insurance won't cover it—or even job loss.
</p>
<p>
  By creating a financial safety net, you keep your head above water, so you
  won't have to rely on loans or credit cards in the short term. Kroo Pots is
  the perfect feature for this.
</p>
<h5>Restructure your debt.</h5>
<p>
  Debt can be scary and feel unmanageable fast. But it doesn't have to be all
  doom and gloom. Take some time to review your outstanding debts, including
  credit cards, loans, and mortgages and consider your refinancing options. You
  might be able to pay down any high-interest debt by reborrowing elsewhere at a
  lower rate. This means you'll have more money left to save at the end of the
  month.
</p>
<h5>Review your outgoings.</h5>
<p>
  We all have a selection of outgoings every month that we pay blindly. Think
  Netflix, Amazon Prime or a rarely used gym membership. But if you think you
  can cull some of them, what are you waiting for?
</p>
<p>
  And while you're at it, why not consider a side hustle? If you've got stuff
  you can get rid of, check out Vinted, Depop or Facebook Marketplace and make a
  little extra cash.
</p>
<h5>Take a look at your credit score.</h5>
<p>
  The dreaded credit score... Be brave and take a look at yours. You'll find it
  can actually be really helpful when it comes to understanding your spending
  habits.
</p>
<p>
  A credit score shows lenders how likely you are to repay a loan on time –
  based on your history of using credit and managing finances. You can improve
  your credit score by paying back on time, which may increase the likelihood of
  getting a mortgage approved. Missing payments has the opposite effect.
</p>
<h5>Think about your retirement.</h5>
<p>
  For some of you, retirement might seem a long way off; however, future you
  will thank you for getting cracking with your preparations now.
</p>
<p>
  Consider increasing your contributions to take advantage of employer matches
  or tax benefits. It really is never too early to start saving for later in
  life.
</p>
<h5>Ask for help if you need it.</h5>
<p>
  Don't hesitate to ask for help when money worries weigh you down. Whether
  you're struggling to pay back debt or make ends meet, we're here to help you
  get a grip on your finances with support, suggestions and who to talk to.
</p>
<p>
  You can talk to us in the app chat or visit our
  <a href="https://kroo.com/support-is-here" target="_blank" rel="noopener"
    >support page</a
  >
  for more information.
</p>
<h5>It's all about taking control of the situation.</h5>
<p>
  It might initially feel daunting, particularly if you've avoided the subject
  for a while. But there's something satisfying in taking your finances by the
  scruff of the neck and getting a handle on them.
</p>
<p>
  Taking a proactive approach to your finances will pave the way for a more
  secure future. And remember, it's all about small, consistent efforts that can
  pay off down the line. Financial literacy is incredibly effective in money
  management, so spend some time learning how to make the most of your money now
  and long into the future.
</p>


Tackling your financial goals.

Keeping financial stress in check.

MoneyHelper

Free and impartial general money advice to assist with matters such as benefits, savings & pensions and retirements.

StepChange

Charity that supports people managing their ongoing debt, including bankruptcy and mortgage advice and debt repayment calculators.

PayPlan

Advice Helpline that offers support and information about managing debt, including Debt Relief Orders, Individual Voluntary Arrangements and more.

Money Saving Expert

Comprehensive money saving guide with links to cost cutting practices, financial advice and budgeting tools and more.

This is a link to the National Health Service (NHS) page on how to find information and support for your mental health.

Mind

A mental health charity available to support any person experiencing troubles with their mental health, including talking therapies and linking people to local services.

Samaritans

A charity helpline dedicated to supporting people who are experiencing severe mental distress, including feelings of self harm.

GamStop

An online service that can assist customers in externally blocking gambling sites from their devices at home.

BeGambleAware

Gambling Helpline that can offer advice and support for people who are struggling with gambling addiction, including tools for anyone struggling with people close to them who are suffering.

TakeFive

Take Five is a national campaign offering straight-forward, impartial advice that helps prevent email, phone-based and online fraud - particularly where criminals impersonate trusted organisations.

Shelter

A charity offering emergency support to people without housing, including general support and advice to anyone with concerns about losing their housing.

StreetLink

StreetLink can be used by anyone to send an alert about someone who is sleeping or preparing to sleep rough.

Cruse

We help people through one of the most painful times in life – with bereavement support, information and campaigning.

Tell Us Once - Gov.uk

Tell Us Once is a service that lets you report a death to most government organisations in one go.

Trussell Trust

We support a nationwide network of food banks and together we provide emergency food and support to people facing hardship, and campaign for change to end the need for food banks in the UK.

Citizens Advice

Our national charity and network of local charities offer confidential advice online, over the phone, and in person, for free.This link specifically is for Energy Bill Support.

Women's Aid

Women's Aid provide life-saving services across England while building a future where domestic abuse is not tolerated.

Refuge

This helpline helps female victims of domestic abuse to find a refuge vacancy. It also supports them to find other specialist services in their community.

ManKind

Helping men escape domestic abuse. This confidential helpline is available for male victims of domestic abuse and domestic violence across the UK as well as their friends, family, neighbours, work colleagues and employer.

Respect

The helpline is for male victims of domestic abuse. Their focus is to increase the safety of men experiencing domestic abuse (and the safety of any children) by providing confidential support.