The Best Savings Challenges for UK Savers
Gamify your savings. These challenges make putting money aside feel like a game — and they actually work.
Savings challenges work because they give you a structure, a goal, and a sense of progress. Instead of vaguely "trying to save more", you have a specific number to hit each day or week.
Below are the best savings challenges, from beginner-friendly to seriously impressive. Pick one that fits your budget and personality — and use our free calculator to explore the doubling challenge in detail.
The top savings challenges
The Doubling Savings Challenge
Start with any amount and double it every period. The simplest concept with the most dramatic results.
1p
Start
Daily
Frequency
£10.7M
Day 30 total
💡 Keep it realistic — try 20 days instead of 30 for a total of £10,485. Or start with £1 weekly for 12 weeks (£4,095 total).
Try the Extreme Growth Calculator →The 52-Week Challenge
Save £1 in week 1, £2 in week 2, £3 in week 3… up to £52 in week 52.
£1
Week 1
£52
Week 52
£1,378
Total
💡 Pro tip: Do it backwards — start with £52 in January when you're motivated. The weeks before Christmas become easier as you're saving smaller amounts.
The 1p a Day Challenge
Save 1p on day 1, 2p on day 2, and add 1p each day for a year. No doubling — just a gentle, daily increase.
1p
Day 1
£3.65
Day 365
£667
Year total
Perfect for building the habit of saving without putting pressure on your budget.
The £5 a Day Challenge
Save exactly £5 every single day. Simple, consistent, and surprisingly powerful.
£35
Week 1
£150
Month 1
£1,825
Full year
Works well paired with spending less on coffee, lunch, or takeaways.
How to actually stick to a savings challenge
Automate it
Use your bank's standing order feature to transfer the money automatically each day or week.
Get an accountability partner
Tell a friend or partner about your challenge. Share your progress — or miss a week.
Use a tracker
Print a simple chart and tick off each completed day or week. The visual progress is addictive.
Don't start over if you miss
If you miss a day or week, just pick up where you left off. Missing one day doesn't ruin a year.
Give it a purpose
Saving for something specific — a holiday, a car, an emergency fund — makes the challenge much easier.
Ready to try a savings challenge?
Use the Step-Up Calculator for realistic plans, or try the Extreme Growth Calculator just for fun.