Ever find yourself giving into the temptation to get a takeaway after a long day at work? Or snapping up a top that catches your eye even though you don’t really need it?  

Ever find yourself giving into the temptation to get a top that catches your eye even though you don’t really need it? 

Well, you’re not alone – we’re only human! But rather than simply feeling guilty about these kinds of non-essential purchases, what if they could also lead to something positive?   

Fortunately, they now can thanks to an ingenious money saving trick from the clever clogs at smart money app Plum. 

Known as the ‘Naughty Rule’, it’s a feature you can enable on the Plum app to automatically set aside money when you buy something from a retailer you consider a guilty pleasure. 

You can choose from a selection of the 50 most popular retailers used by Plum customers and save an amount ranging from £1 (for purchases that are only mildly mischievous) to £10 (for those that are truly villainous!). 

Once the Naughty Rule has been fully enabled, Plum will make one extra saving per day when you spend at the retailer using a linked account or Plum card – either online or in store.  

The average Plum customer goes to a certain fast food burger joint 17 times a year, so if you set your deposit to £10, by the end of the year you could have an extra £170 stashed away. 

Known as the ‘Naughty Rule’, it’s a feature you can enable on the Plum app to automatically set aside money when you buy something from a retailer you consider a guilty pleasure

The Naughty Rule, which at first will be available with Plum’s Ultra and Premium subscription plans, is a great way to ease your guilt over unnecessary or extravagant spending. 

Alternatively, the rule could serve as a deterrent to stop you spending in the first place.

It’s a great example of how Plum uses the power of automation to help you find new and inventive ways to save more money. 

The app can connect all your bank accounts and cards in one place to get a complete view of your income and spending, before artificial intelligence (AI) technology works out how much you can afford to save every so often. 

You can choose to save money into an Interest Pocket paying up to 2.70% AER*. Please note that the rate Plum offers may change in the future. 

And the app boasts lots more tools to make the process of saving simpler to help you put aside even more cash. 

And the app boasts more tools to make the process of saving easier to help you put aside even more cash

Round Ups, for example, will round up your transactions to the nearest £1 and transfer the spare change, while Pay Day automatically sets aside a set amount each time you receive your salary. 

Find your mood taking a dive when damp weather leaves you stuck at home? 

If you enable Rainy Days, Plum will automatically save extra cash every day it rains where you live – helping you keep a sunny disposition as you think of the positive effect on your finances. 

Another popular savings rule is the 52-Week Challenge, which will squirrel away £1 on your behalf in week one and £2 in the second, before moving up to £52 in the final week. By the end of the year, you’ll have saved a hefty £1,378! 

Using automation to regularly save small, affordable amounts is a great way to build up your savings over time – even if deposits are triggered by a random event. 

You can increase or decrease how much Plum sets aside by selecting a savings ‘mood’

You can increase or decrease how much Plum sets aside by selecting a savings ‘mood’. For example, ‘Beast Mode’ will increase your contributions by 75%, while on ‘Shy’ you’ll set aside 50% less. 

But super smart saving isn’t the only advantage of putting money aside with Plum.

The app scans your utility bills to check if you’re being overcharged and could save money by switching to a new provider. It will crunch all the numbers and can help you switch.  

The app also helps you to start investing in the stock market.

The app is also a commission-free way to start investing in the stock market.**

Choose between a hand-picked range of investment funds ranked by theme and level of risk, with the option of diversifying your portfolio with company stocks starting from just £1.  

Plum’s funds are grouped around themes, including ethical considerations like the environment and social responsibility, and each has its own risk level. 

You can also invest in fractional shares from some of the world’s best-known companies, with more than 3,000 brands currently on offer. Although some charges will still apply, all these trades are commission-free.**

Keep in mind that as with all investing, your capital is at risk, meaning the value of your investments can go down as well as up. 

*Easy Access Interest Pockets are provided by Investec Bank Plc.

**Other regulatory fees and FX charges still apply.

Capital at risk if you invest. You shouldn’t invest in or deal in any financial product unless you fully understand it and the inherent risks. If you automate and invest you should be satisfied your choices are suitable in light of your financial position and circumstances.

Plum does not provide investment advice and individual investors should make their own decisions or seek independent advice. The value of investments can go up as well as down and you may get back less than your original investment.

How a smart money app can turn your naughty purchases into something nice