The 52-Week Savings Challenge: Save $1,378 in a Year

The 52-week savings challenge is simple: save the same number of dollars as the week number. Week 1 is $1, week 2 is $2 and week 52 is $52. Add it all up and you'll have saved $1,378 by the end of the year.

Why it works

It starts so small that it's easy to begin, and it builds the habit before the amounts get bigger. Coloring in a box each week makes the progress feel real.

Variations that might suit you better

• Reverse it. Start with $52 and count down, so the hardest weeks come in January instead of December, when holiday spending is high.
• Pick any box. Color in whichever amount fits your budget that week, until every box is filled.
• Double it. Save $2, $4, $6 and so on to reach $2,756.
• Go fixed. Save the same amount every week if your income is steady.

Tips to stay on track

• Move the money on payday so it never feels spare.
• Keep it in a separate savings account.
• Give the money a goal: an emergency fund, a holiday or a debt payment.

Print your chart

The Debt Payoff and Savings Challenge Pack includes a color-in 52-week chart, plus $1,000 and $5,000 challenges, an emergency fund tracker and a no-spend month challenge.

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