Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

How often do you check your bank account?

101 replies

Spidey66 · 04/10/2022 08:34

I used to be terrible about checking my bank balance, mainly because I was in denial about it!

I've since cleaned my act up. While I'm not rich, I'm no longer overdrawn at all let alone soon after payday, and part of this is by regularly checking my account so I know if I can actually afford something. I check it about 5-7 times a week and it helps me stay on track financially without a doubt.

OP posts:
ASmallCat · 04/10/2022 08:39

Some banks offer a free text service showing your balance & last few transactions, and if you slip into overdraft.

It’s well worth setting up imo.

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 04/10/2022 08:42

We check on payday and if its not higher than it was last payday we scrutinise it to see why.

skippy67 · 04/10/2022 08:42

A couple of times a month. I set up a text alert for when my balance is "low", which for me is less than £150 a week before payday. I also have a monzo account alongside my main one which beeps at me every time I use it!

Sprogonthetyne · 04/10/2022 08:43

Most days, it's on the app so really no reasonnor to. Before online banking it was every week or so if I was getting money out from an ATM.

happystory · 04/10/2022 08:44

Every day! I like to know which direct debits have gone out etc. Stems from a very uncertain financial experience when young.

bloodywhitecat · 04/10/2022 08:45

Daily since having fraudulent activity on my account.

lalaloopyhead · 04/10/2022 08:47

I use the app for both of my banks so I would say I look often, maybe not every day but probably most days. I have pots for pretty much everything so often when I buy stuff I go on app to tranfer money from say 'food' account into my current account.
I like to keep on top of things and I don;t think I could only look once a month.

cinnabongene · 04/10/2022 08:48

Every day. It’s so easy on the app

Afterfire · 04/10/2022 08:48

Everyday. Sometimes even several times a day if I’m waiting for a refund or something. Little bit obsessed!

Zingy123 · 04/10/2022 08:49

Every morning.

Atmywitsend29 · 04/10/2022 08:53

Everyday, sometimes multiple times a day.
I typically won't spend money before checking the bank.

OldTinHat · 04/10/2022 08:54

Daily. And I get texts saying when a direct debit is due, when money is paid in, when I've used my card and what the balance is remaining.

unitywardrobe · 04/10/2022 08:55

Having made some disastrous money decisions in the past, I'm now a lot more responsible (learned the hard way). I have an excel sheet with all my incomings and outgoings and have two accounts - one for bills and the other for 'fun money/disposable income'. I usually know within a couple of pounds either side, what's in the disposable pot but I tend to check my bank account via the app every couple of days, just to make sure there's no surprises...E.g cheeky energy company deciding to change my DD!!

IsAinmDummm · 04/10/2022 08:55

Every day. I usually know to the penny how much I have in there.

MrsLargeEmbodied · 04/10/2022 08:57

i understand the being in denial
generally every day unless i am in denial
now particularly as a load of direct debits have come out just now, first of the month.

MintJulia · 04/10/2022 08:58

Two or three times a month. Normally before I make a larger purchase. Or optimistically at the end of a month to see if there is any left to transfer to saving.🙂

Scoundrella · 04/10/2022 09:02

Every other day at least. I like to check all the DD and expected spending has gone out and then when I’ve spent some money I have a quick look to check we’re still on track for the budget.

i was in a very financially abusive relationship so I’m a bit paranoid about being left in trouble again. My DH doesn’t understand and never checks because he’s never experienced anything financial hardship

Iwannabelikeyouoohooh · 04/10/2022 09:05

Every day as I'm an impulsive spender. Checking keeps me from over spending.

BarbaraofSeville · 04/10/2022 09:08

Once a month, and only more often if I'm expecting something like DP receiving a payment (he's a freelancer so gets paid randomly).

We put all our non direct debit expenditure on a cashback credit card and pay the bill off in full each month by direct debit, so usually nothing comes out except direct debits, so I just check once a month after payday that there's enough money to pay all the direct debits and shift money around accordingly if not or put spare money into savings.

Spending from the same account as where the bills come out of sounds like it would be hard to keep up with.

jay55 · 04/10/2022 09:09

Every day, sometimes multiple times.

JustFrustrated · 04/10/2022 09:10

Every day.
Especially when I'm waiting for a refund. Which is why I usually buy "probable returns" on my Monzo card because that processes refunds stupidly quickly.

TheFormidableMrsC · 04/10/2022 09:17

Probably two or three times a week. I'm very strict with budgeting so I rarely get a nasty surprise. I agree that keeping an eye on it really helps financial discipline.

tresleches · 04/10/2022 09:21

In my late 30s/early 40s, I had a few years of climbing out of debt and then immediately and quite intensively saving for a flat deposit. As a result, I formed a few habits. I still have a monthly outgoings table that I gradually turn red as payments come off, and I work out my true balance a few times a month. I used to be really awful with money - a serious dread of looking at my balance, very avoidant - and now I'm slightly too anal. Single income household though so I'm only monitoring/responsible for my own spending.

Mummyboy1 · 04/10/2022 09:21

Every morning

Audioslaw · 04/10/2022 09:35

Every day, usually in the morning