Make the most of your debit card

Using your debit card 

Get to know your debit card and all the things it does.

Read the video transcript

How to budget

  • Keep a check on how much money you spend each month. The easiest way to do this is with our Mobile Banking app.
  • Create a list of your monthly costs and the money you have coming into your account to see what you have left to spend.
  • Regularly look at your account balance, check what’s gone out of your account and remind yourself of your budget.

How to be a smart spender

  • Avoid impulse buying by using the 24-hour rule. Give yourself 24 hours to think about whether you really need it. This will help avoid wasting your money on things you might regret later.
  • Shop around to find the best deals. You might save money and make your budget stretch further.
  • Move any spare money into your Savings Account each month. You'll see your savings grow and you’ll be prepared for that last-minute gift you might need to buy.

Easy ways to pay with your mobile

Apple Pay*

  • Quick and easy.
  • Contactless.
  • Secure.

*If you're aged 13 and over.

Set up Apple Pay Set up Apple Pay

Google Pay*

  • Quick and easy.
  • Contactless.
  • Secure.

*If you're aged 16 and over.

Set up Google Pay Set up Google Pay

Your Smart Start guides

Make the most of your accounts

  • Set up Internet Banking
  • Manage your money on your mobile
  • A-Z of banking terms
  • How to prove who you are.
Get started Get started

Save

  • Tips for reaching your savings goal
  • 5 benefits of saving
  • 4 ways to get ahead with saving
  • Save the Change®
     
Savings tips Savings tips

Earn

  • Information about part-time jobs
  • Types of jobs for teens
  • How to apply for a job
Find out about earning Find out about earning

Learn

  • Card freezing
  • 5 ways to stay money safe
  • Staying safe on social media
Learn more about money Learn more about money

Your questions about spending

  • Yes. You’ll only be able to spend money that’s in your Spending Account. To help you manage your money, we’ve made it easy for you by setting spending limits. That way you can be sure you don’t overspend.

     

    Daily spending limits

    Ways to manage your money

    Aged 11-15

    Aged 16-17

    Aged 18

    Ways to manage your money

    Using your debit card to pay online and in shops.

    Aged 11-15

    £200

    Aged 16-17

    £1,000

    Aged 18

    The money you have in your account.

    Ways to manage your money

    Using Online Banking to transfer money.

    Aged 11-15

    £500. This limit also applies to your Savings Account.

    Aged 16-17

    £500. This limit also applies to your Savings Account.

    Aged 18

    £500. This limit also applies to your Savings Account.

    Ways to manage your money

    Using one of our branches with a counter to take money out.

    Aged 11-15

    £1,000

    Aged 16-17

    £1,000

    Aged 18

    £5,000

    Ways to manage your money

    Using your debit card to take money out of a cash machine.

    Aged 11-15

    £100

    Aged 16-17

    £100

    Aged 18

    £500

    Ways to manage your money

    Using the Post Office to take money out.

    Aged 11-15

    £100

    Aged 16-17

    £100

    Aged 18

    £300

  • You don't get a cheque book with Smart Start. But you might get the occasional cheque. If you do, you can deposit your cheque in branch, in a Post Office® or by using our Mobile Banking app. Find out how to pay in cheques using our app.

     

Google Pay is a trademark of Google LLC. Apple Pay is a trademark of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.

Save the Change® is a registered trademark and used under licence.