Free Printable Savings Challenge Chart
Take the classic 52-week savings challenge and watch $1,378 accumulate one week at a time. Each cell on this chart represents one week's savings amount, from $1 to $52. Check off or color in each cell as you save that amount. Do the weeks in order or pick any amount that fits your week — the only rule is that each cell gets checked off exactly once. Print it, post it somewhere visible, and start saving today.
The 52-Week Savings Challenge Explained
The 52-week savings challenge has become one of the most popular savings methods on the internet — and for good reason. It starts incredibly small (just one dollar), builds gradually, and results in a meaningful $1,378 by the end of the year. The genius of the challenge is its simplicity: no complicated formulas, no apps to set up, no minimum income required. If you can save a dollar this week, you can start.
How the Math Works
The challenge uses the sum of consecutive integers from 1 to 52. In week 1 you save $1, week 2 you save $2, and so on up to $52 in the final week. The total is 1 + 2 + 3 + ... + 52 = $1,378. During the first quarter (weeks 1-13), you save only $91 total. The second quarter adds $182, the third adds $273, and the final quarter contributes $832. This back-loaded structure means the challenge gets harder as the year progresses, which is why many people prefer the flexible or reverse approaches described below.
Three Ways to Do the Challenge
- Classic (ascending): Save $1 in week 1, $2 in week 2, up to $52 in week 52. Simple and progressive, but December weeks can be tough.
- Reverse (descending): Start at $52 in week 1 and count down. Takes advantage of New Year motivation when it is strongest, and gets easier as the year goes on.
- Flexible (any order): Check off any amount on the chart whenever you save it. Tight week? Save $3. Got a bonus? Check off $48 and $52 at once. This version has the highest completion rate because it adapts to real life.
Making It a Family Activity
The savings challenge chart works especially well as a family project. Print one chart per family member, or do a single chart together as a household. Kids as young as five can participate with a penny or nickel version (multiply each cell value by $0.01 for $13.78 total, or $0.05 for $68.90). The visual act of coloring in cells teaches children the habit of saving in a way that feels like a game rather than a chore. Post all the charts on the fridge and celebrate together when everyone hits milestones.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the 52-week savings challenge work?
The 52-week savings challenge is simple: in week 1, you save $1. In week 2, you save $2. Each week you increase the amount by one dollar. By week 52, you save $52. You can do the weeks in any order — check off or color in each amount on the chart as you save it. At the end of 52 weeks, you will have saved a total of $1,378. The gradual increase makes it easy to start and build momentum before the larger amounts in later weeks.
How much do you save with the 52-week challenge?
You save exactly $1,378 over 52 weeks. The math is straightforward: 1 + 2 + 3 + ... + 52 = 1,378. If you want to double your savings, you can do a $2 increment version (save $2 in week 1, $4 in week 2, up to $104 in week 52) for a total of $2,756. Or try the $5 increment version ($5, $10, $15... $260) for $6,890 saved in a year.
Can I do the 52-week challenge in reverse?
Absolutely — and many people find the reverse approach easier. Start by saving $52 in week 1, $51 in week 2, and work your way down to $1 in the final week. The advantage is that you tackle the hardest weeks first when your motivation is highest (like a New Year's resolution boost in January). As the year goes on and expenses tend to increase around the holidays, your weekly savings amount gets smaller and easier to manage. The total saved is still $1,378 either way.