How to Stop Dipping Into Your Savings

We’ve all done it.
Transferred money to your savings… only to send it straight back out while standing in the Zara queue 👀

It’s one of the most frustrating money habits and it can make you feel like you’re failing, even when you’re trying your best. But the good news? There are ways to break the cycle.

Here are our top tips to help you protect your savings and finally leave that pot alone:

1. Make Sure Your Budget Is Realistic

It’s easy to get carried away and build a budget that looks good on paper but doesn’t reflect real life. The truth is, things come up, birthdays, brunches, bad days, and if there’s no room for movement, you’ll always end up dipping into your savings.

When you create your budget, take the month’s plans into account and don’t be afraid to flex. You don’t have to save the same amount every single month. Progress > perfection.

2. Master the Art of Sinking Funds

Want a coffee? Use your coffee fund.
Booked a holiday? Hello, travel fund.
Got your eye on that ASOS haul? That’s what your clothes fund is for.

Sinking funds are mini savings pots for things you know you’ll spend on. They let you spend guilt free without touching your actual savings because you’ve already planned for it.

Set aside small amounts each payday and build them up over time. It’s like the opposite of credit and future you will thank you.

3. Build an Emergency Fund

When an unexpected bill hits and there’s no buffer, guess where the money comes from? Yep, your savings.

That’s why an emergency fund is so essential.
Start small with a £500 buffer. Once that’s in place, you can build up to 1-3 months of expenses. It’ll give you peace of mind and protect your savings from every surprise flat tyre or broken boiler.

4. Ditch the Impulse Spending

Impulse spending is one of the biggest savings killers and we hear about it all the time.

If you struggle with this, try a no spend challenge. Whether it’s a week, weekend, or even a couple of days, it helps reset your habits and builds awareness around what triggers you to spend without thinking.

5. Out of Sight, Out of Mind

If self control isn’t your strong suit, hide your savings.

Some digital banks let you hide pots so they’re not staring at you every time you check your balance. Once it’s out of sight, it’s easier to forget about and harder to casually dip into.

Eventually, checking your savings will feel more like a happy surprise than a temptation.

6. Give Your Savings a Goal 🎯

What are you saving for? A house? A trip? A fresh start?

When your savings have a clear purpose, you’re far less likely to sabotage them. Name your goal, set your target, and visualise what it’ll feel like to hit it. The more specific you get, the more likely you are to stay committed.

Protecting your savings isn’t about willpower, it’s about building a system that works with your habits, not against them. Set your boundaries, plan ahead, and let your savings actually stay saved.