Sparing Alberta to check notes (10)
I believe the answer is:
abstemious
'sparing' is the definition.
(similar in meaning)
'alberta to check notes' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'check' could be 'stem' (both can mean to control or stop) and 'stem' is found in the answer.
'notes' could be 'ious' (I Owe You notes) and 'ious' is present in the answer.
The remaining letters 'ab' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This explanation may well be incorrect...
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for abstemious that I've seen before include "Self-denying" , "in a way that's restrained" , "Temperate" , "refraining from excess" , "not eating or drinking a lot" .)