Last updated: 4 November 2026. General information, not financial advice.
Saving money is so much easier when it feels like a game. That’s why savings challenges are so popular on Pinterest: they turn a vague “I should save more” into a clear target, a tracker to colour in and a date to aim for.
The trick is picking a challenge that fits your budget. Too big and you’ll give up in week three. Too small and it won’t feel worth it. Here are five that work, with the maths done for you.
Quick comparison
| Challenge | How much you save | Weekly equivalent | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| £1 a day | £365 a year | £7 | Beginners, tight budgets |
| £500 in 90 days | £500 | About £39 | A short-term goal, like Christmas |
| 1p a day (rising) | £667.95 a year | Starts at 28p in week one, ends around £25 | Easing in slowly |
| £2,000 in a year | £2,000 | About £38.50 | A bigger goal, like a holiday or emergency fund |
| No-spend month | Varies | n/a | Resetting spending habits |
1. The £1 a day challenge (save £365)
How it works: put £1 aside every day for a year. That’s £7 a week or about £30 a month.
Make it easy: – Set up a £7 weekly standing order to a savings account, or a daily round-up in your banking app – Or drop a £1 coin in a jar each night (and bank it monthly)
Level up: try £2 a day (£730) or £5 a day (£1,825) once it feels easy.
2. Save £500 in 90 days
How it works: about £167 a month, or roughly £39 a week for 13 weeks.
A realistic plan: | Month | Target | Ideas | |—|—|—| | Month 1 | £150 | Cancel unused subscriptions, sell 3 things you don’t use | | Month 2 | £175 | Meal plan to cut the food shop, pause takeaways | | Month 3 | £175 | Put any overtime, refund or cashback straight in |
This is perfect for a specific goal, like Christmas presents or car insurance renewal. See my list of things to sell for cash for quick wins.
3. The 1p savings challenge (save £667.95)
How it works: save 1p on day 1, 2p on day 2, 3p on day 3, and so on, up to £3.65 on day 365. The total is £667.95.
Tip: the last few months are the hardest (over £3 a day). Many people do it in reverse, starting with £3.65 in January when motivation is high and finishing on 1p.
4. Save £2,000 in a year
How it works: about £167 a month or £38.50 a week.
Ways to make it work: – Automate it: a standing order the day after payday – Split it: £100 a month from your budget + £67 from side income or selling things – Use windfalls: tax refunds, birthday money, bonuses – Track it: colour in a 20-box tracker, one box per £100
This is a great amount for an emergency fund. My £1,000 emergency fund guide explains why that’s often the first goal.
5. The no-spend month
How it works: for 30 days, spend only on essentials: rent, bills, food, travel to work. No takeaways, clothes, random Amazon orders or coffees out.
It’s less about the money (though you’ll save some) and more about seeing where your spending leaks. My 30-day no-spend challenge has rules and a free printable tracker.
Bonus: the 52-week challenge (save £1,378)
How it works: save £1 in week 1, £2 in week 2, £3 in week 3, and so on, up to £52 in week 52. The total is £1,378.
| Weeks | Weekly amounts | Saved in that block |
|---|---|---|
| 1 to 13 | £1 to £13 | £91 |
| 14 to 26 | £14 to £26 | £260 |
| 27 to 39 | £27 to £39 | £429 |
| 40 to 52 | £40 to £52 | £598 |
Watch out: the final quarter falls in November and December if you start in January, which is exactly when Christmas costs hit. Doing it in reverse (£52 first, £1 last) or starting in April can make it much easier.
Doing a challenge as a couple or family
- Couples: each do the £1 a day challenge and you’ll have £730 between you. My guide to budgeting as a couple has ideas for shared goals.
- Kids: a jar and a colouring tracker make the 1p challenge fun for children, and it’s a great first money lesson.
What to do when your challenge ends
Finishing a challenge is a great feeling, so make the most of it:
- Spend it on the goal you set (guilt-free!).
- Or move it into your emergency fund or a higher-paying savings account.
- Keep the habit going: if you’ve been saving £7 a week, carry on and you’ll barely notice it.
- Level up: try the next challenge, such as £2 a day or the 52-week challenge.
How to make any challenge stick
- Pick a goal you care about: “Christmas without a credit card” works better than “save more”.
- Use a separate account or pot so you don’t dip in.
- Automate the payments where you can.
- Track it visually: a printable or a note on your phone.
- Plan for a missed week. Just catch up the next week; don’t quit.
- Celebrate milestones: every £100 or every month.
Where to keep your challenge savings
- An easy-access savings account or a pot in your banking app
- A regular saver account, which often pays a higher rate if you pay in monthly. See my best UK savings accounts guide
- A cash ISA if you want the interest tax-free
Check the provider is covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), which protects up to £120,000 per eligible person, per authorised firm (brands sharing one banking licence share the limit).
Savings challenges: people also ask
What is the £1 a day savings challenge?
You save £1 every day for a year, which adds up to £365. Most people do it as a £7 weekly standing order.
How can I save £500 in 3 months?
Save about £167 a month or £39 a week. Combine small budget cuts (subscriptions, takeaways) with selling things you don’t use, and put any windfalls straight into your savings.
How much is the 1p challenge in a year?
Saving 1p on day 1, rising by 1p a day to £3.65 on day 365, adds up to £667.95.
How much a week do I need to save £2,000 in a year?
About £38.50 a week, or around £167 a month.
What’s the best savings challenge for beginners?
The £1 a day challenge is a good start: small, easy to automate and you’ll have £365 by the end of the year.
Summary
- £1 a day = £365. £500 in 90 days = £39 a week. 1p challenge = £667.95. £2,000 a year = £38.50 a week.
- Pick one that fits your budget, automate it, keep it in a separate pot and track it.
Next step: try the 30-day no-spend challenge, or set up sinking funds for the costs you know are coming.
General information only, not financial advice.
Sources (checked 4 November 2026): Official source for corrected claim · FSCS: deposit protection