Stimulus. Routine. Reward.

Whether checking your balance sends your stomach into knots or you avoid it altogether, repeating a small action helps break the avoidance cycle. As a financial psychotherapist, I help desensitise people to these worries so they can feel more empowered financially.  

For many, logging into a bank is fraught with fears of finding minus figures staring back. The mix of anxiety and shame makes it tempting to look away. But the weight of money worries get heavier when we refuse to face them. ‘The Last Digit Widget’ turns checking your balance into a habit, and habits take much less emotional energy. 

What’s the Last Digit Widget?

A micro-habit; a way to connect with your finances daily. It turns a daunting task into a playful, achievable action. Here’s how it works: 

• Move the last digit of your bank balance into a dedicated Space

• Pennies or pounds work – a £123.45 balance means transferring either 5p or £5

• There’s no time limit and you can start any day of the year. 

Can this really make me good with money? 

Absolutely. The Last Digit Widget works because it’s a small habit that gives us a sense of agency over our finances. By repeating the action of checking our balance, money feels less scary. And when we go into automatic mode we no longer have to conjure all this courage just to open our account. 

This taps into the ‘stimulus-routine-reward’ loop that underpins habit formation. The ‘stimulus’ is seeing your balance, the ‘routine’ is transferring the last digit, the ‘reward’ is watching your savings in your Space tot up. It might not seem like much, but tiny actions done consistently add up emotionally and financially. 

Eventually, it’ll desensitise you to the fear and worry that makes checking your balance feel overwhelming. Over time, an anxious task turns into a healthy financial habit.  

Will the Last Digit Widget give me immediate results?

When a goal feels far away, spending can feel more rewarding than putting money aside – you get instant gratification. I get it. But micro-habits bridge the gap by giving your brain immediate mini-wins. So yes, because it feels good – and gamifying a daily habit makes it fun and accessible. 

If you manage to increase the amount in your Space, great. But psychologically, it also creates a sense of competence and control – the feeling that you can put money aside and you can influence your financial future. And anyone can take part. 

Can this boost my financial confidence?

Yes. Each daily transfer reinforces a positive association with money and shifts the narrative from “I’m bad with money” to “Oh right, I can be good with money.” 

This is called ‘habituation’. Your brain gradually learns to feel safe when repeatedly exposed to things that feel threatening, even if they aren’t actually dangerous. Over time, your finances start to seem a lot less intimidating. 

Every little, intentional action is evidence that you’re taking charge – and that confidence often spills into bigger financial decisions. 


*Starling commissioned Mortar Research to poll 2,040 national representative respondents in December 2025 about their saving habits.

**The article above includes general information and should not be taken as financial advice. If you have questions about your specific circumstances, please speak to an independent financial advisor.