Why it works
It starts tiny, so it is easy to begin, and it builds a weekly habit of moving money into savings. The total is simple maths: 1 + 2 + 3 and so on up to 52 is 1,378.
The rules
- Each week, move that week’s number in dollars into a separate savings account.
- Tick it off in the tracker below.
- If a week is tight, do the smallest unticked amount instead. Every amount still has to be done once.
The plan
- Weeks 1 to 13Save $1 to $13 a week. $91 by the end of the quarter.
- Weeks 14 to 26Save $14 to $26 a week. $351 saved by the halfway point.
- Weeks 27 to 39Save $27 to $39 a week. $780 saved.
- Weeks 40 to 52Save $40 to $52 a week. $1,378 saved in total.
Your tracker
Tick off each week
Your progress is saved in this browser only. Nothing is sent to us.
Tips
- Set up a separate savings account with no card attached, so the money is out of sight.
- December is expensive. Consider the reverse version, starting at $52, so the big weeks come first.
- Want a smaller target? Save 50 cents times the week number instead: it ends at $689.
If you slip
If you miss a week, do two the next week, or pick the smallest unticked amount. The order does not matter; the total does.
When you finish
At $1,378, the money could cover an emergency fund starter, holiday gifts or a bill you would otherwise put on a card.
Frequently asked questions
How much do you save with the 52-week challenge?
$1,378. The sum of 1 to 52 is 1,378.
Can I do it in reverse?
Yes. Start with $52 and go down to $1. Many people prefer it because the big weeks fall early in the year.
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