Advice
The holiday season is magical but also hectic. When your days are packed with shopping, traveling, and celebrating, it’s easy for your spending to spiral. Small purchases add up. Big ones hit hard. And with so much going on, staying on top of your finances feels overwhelming.
One minute you’re checking off a shopping list, the next, you’re wondering how your bank balance dropped so fast. Gifts, travel, meals out, donations: it all adds up quickly.
That’s where Card Control comes in. Built into your 1st Source Bank mobile app, it gives you a smart, simple way to watch your spending, protect your card, and stay within your budget, all without adding stress to your day.
The best part? You’re not changing the way you shop. You’re just seeing more clearly what’s happening with your money and stepping in when it matters.
Know Exactly Where Your Money’s Going
When the holidays get busy, most of us aren’t adding receipts to spreadsheets. But knowing where your money goes is still essential, especially if you’re trying to stay on budget or track purchases for family, work, or tax purposes.
Card Control makes this easy with real-time transaction tagging and visual spending insights.
Tag Your Transactions by Purpose
With every card swipe or tap, you can add a label, like:
- “Family gifts”
- “Charity”
- “Groceries”
- “Work travel”
- “Kids’ activities”
Tagging takes just a second, and the app keeps track automatically. Whether you’re planning your next budget or reviewing year-end expenses, it’s all there.
Visual Spending Charts
Your tagged spending gets organized into easy-to-read charts and summaries:
- See how much you spent in each category
- Spot trends from week to week or month to month
- Compare purchases by store, location, or merchant type
This gives you a full picture of where your holiday dollars go , so you can celebrate without overspending.
Set Limits Where You Need Them Most
Impulse buys and surprise sales are part of the season. But Card Control helps you draw clear lines without having to second-guess every purchase.
You choose the max amount allowed per transaction. So if you set a $100 limit, anything above that gets blocked automatically and you get notified immediately.
It’s a great way to:
- Stick to gift budgets
- Control one-time purchases
- Prevent accidental overspending
Stop Fraud Before It Starts
Card Control doesn’t just help you budget: it keeps your card safer during a high-risk season.
Block by Transaction Type
Choose exactly which kinds of transactions your card allows. For example:
- Block online purchases if you rarely shop online. If your card number gets stolen, this can stop fraud before it starts.
- Block ATM withdrawals if you mostly pay by card or don’t need cash. This adds an extra layer of security if your physical card goes missing.
- Block in-store purchases if your card is temporarily out of reach or you’re relying on a digital wallet
You can toggle these controls on or off anytime, right from your phone.
Block by Merchant Category
Some places you just never shop. Others might be fine, but not right now.
Card Control lets you block entire categories of merchants so your card can’t be used there, even if the number is stolen or your card falls into the wrong hands.
- Never buy fuel? Block gas stations.
- Don’t use your debit card for travel? Block airlines and hotel bookings.
- Want to avoid gaming, gambling, or liquor store charges on a shared card? Block those categories entirely.
You can also use these blocks as a way to avoid temptation. For example, block retail or online stores if you’re sticking to a strict budget and want to avoid impulse buys.
If someone tries to make a purchase in one of your blocked categories, the transaction will be declined and you’ll get an alert right away.
Real-Time Alerts for Peace of Mind
You can choose to get an alert when:
- A transaction exceeds a set dollar amount
- Your card is used in a new city or country
- There’s an online purchase
- A charge comes from a blocked merchant
If something looks suspicious, you’ll know immediately and you can take action in seconds.
Pause Your Card Instantly
If your card is lost, stolen, or just sitting in the wrong coat pocket, you can turn it off instantly from the app.
This blocks all new transactions until you turn it back on.
No need to call or cancel unless you’re sure it’s gone.
Travel Without Trouble
Planning a trip? Whether you’re heading to Grandma’s house or flying across the country, travel can trigger fraud alerts unless your bank knows you’re on the move.
Card Control lets you add a travel notice directly in the app. Just include your destination and dates. This helps avoid declined charges while still keeping your card protected.
Holiday Spending You Can Feel Good About
Card Control wasn’t built to change how you shop: it’s designed to support the way you already live. You can:
- Spend with confidence
- Spot problems fast
- Stick to your goals
- And start the new year with fewer surprises
No extra apps, no complicated setup, and no stress.
So go ahead and enjoy the season. We’ve built tools that let you celebrate freely while keeping your finances right where you want them.
Ready to get started?
The holidays are a time for giving and celebrating. They don’t have to be a time of financial stress. We want to help you stick to your budget, prevent theft and enjoy peace of mind when you travel or shop.
So simply open Online & Mobile Banking and activate Card Control today. It’s free, flexible, and designed for you.