This post may contain affiliate links. If you buy through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Want to finish the year with an extra $1,378 in the bank, without feeling like you’re giving up much at all? That’s the magic of the 52-week savings challenge. It starts so small you’ll barely notice, and it adds up faster than you’d think.
Below you’ll find how it works, a few ways to make it fit your budget, and a free printable tracker to color in as you go. Hang it on the fridge and watch it fill up!
How the 52-week savings challenge works
It’s simple: each week, you save the same number of dollars as the week number.
- Week 1, save $1.
- Week 2, save $2.
- Week 10, save $10.
- Week 52, save $52.
By the end of the year, you’ll have saved $1,378. The first few months are so easy that you build the habit before the bigger weeks arrive.
Get your free 52-Week Savings Challenge printable
My free tracker lists every week, the amount to save and your running total, with a little box to check off. Seeing that total climb is so motivating!
Get your free 52-Week Savings Challenge printable →
Free when you join my email list, and you’ll get my whole Free Printables Library! All printables are for personal use only.
4 ways to make the challenge work for you
1. Do it in reverse
Start with $52 in week 1 and count down to $1. This is a great choice if money gets tight around the holidays, because the smallest weeks land in December.
2. Pick any week you like
Color in whichever amount fits that week. Got a little extra? Knock out a $45 week. Tight week? Grab a $3. You’ll still hit $1,378 once every box is filled.
3. Go biweekly
Paid every two weeks? Combine two weeks into each paycheck. For example, save $3 (weeks 1 and 2) on your first payday, $7 (weeks 3 and 4) on the next, and so on.
4. Double it
Save $2, $4, $6 and so on, and you’ll end the year with $2,756. Perfect for a family vacation fund.
Tips to stick with it all year
- Use a separate account. A free savings account that’s not connected to your debit card keeps the money out of sight.
- Set a weekly reminder. Pick a day (payday works great) and make your deposit the same day every week.
- Make it a family project. Kids love coloring in the boxes, and it’s a wonderful way to teach them about saving.
- Name your goal. “Christmas 2027” or “new tires” is a lot more motivating than “savings.”
- Don’t quit if you miss a week. Just catch up when you can. Progress, not perfection!
What to do with your $1,378
Here are a few ideas: start an emergency fund, pay cash for Christmas (no January credit card bill!), save for a family trip, or put it toward paying off a debt.
Love color-in challenges? The Savings Challenge Pack has 9 of them: $1,000 in 100 Days, the 100 Envelope Challenge, a 50 Envelope Challenge, Save $500, a Christmas Fund, a 26-Paycheck Challenge, a $5 Bill Challenge, a Make-Your-Own Challenge and a savings log. Get the Savings Challenge Pack ($5) →
52-week savings challenge FAQ
How much do you save in the 52-week challenge?
$1,378 if you save $1 more each week. Doubling the amounts gets you $2,756.
When should I start?
January is the classic start, but you can start any week of the year. Just number your weeks from the day you begin.
Is the 52-week challenge good for kids?
Yes! Try a mini version with coins. Save 1 cent, 2 cents and so on, or use a dime a week. It’s a fun way to practice counting money.
You might also like:
Leave a Reply