Save over £1,000 with the 52 week challenge - see how

Every January, we all say the same thing: “New year, new me.” Then by February, the gym membership’s gathering dust, the diet’s out the window, and the budgeting spreadsheets have gone missing. So how about something that actually makes life easier and your wallet happier? This is where the 52 week money challenge comes in.

How it works

The 52-Week Money Challenge is dead simple: each week, you save the same amount as the week number. Week 1? £1. Week 2? £2. Week 3? £3. By week 52, you’re saving £52.

Stick with it and by the end of the year, you’ll have £1,378 in your pot. That’s a tidy sum for Christmas, a weekend away, or just peace of mind.

Why it works

• Starts small – £1 in week one is easy. You barely notice it.
• Builds gradually – You get used to saving more as the weeks go on.
• Clear goal – You know exactly what you’ll have at the end.

The reverse version – an alternative to try

Same challenge, different order. Start big when you’re buzzing with New Year motivation: £52 in week one, £51 in week two, £50 in week three. By December, you’re only saving £1 a week which is perfect when things get tight.

Why try the reverse? Because you save the most when you’re most motivated which is typically when you first start saving. And you still end up with £1,378 saved.

A quick reality check

Whichever way you do it, saving around £50 a week at some point can feel like a lot. So don’t stress if that’s too much. Instead, tweak the amounts to suit your budget and goals. The point is to start building your savings and get into the habit of putting money away. Don’t get bogged down by strict rules.

How to stick with it

• Pay yourself first – When payday hits, move your challenge amount straight into a savings pot before you spend on anything else. Think of it as paying yourself first.
• Make it easy – Use a jar, envelope, or a separate savings account. If you’re tech-savvy, set up an automatic transfer so you don’t even have to think about it.
• Track your progress – Tick off weeks on a calendar or use a free app. Seeing the total grow is a great motivator.
• Missed a week? No big deal – life happens. Catch up when you can, or just keep going. It’s better to save something than nothing.

Bottom line? One challenge, two ways to do it. Start small or start big, either way, you’ll finish the year with over a grand saved. And that’s even if you skip a couple of weeks here and there.