I created a practical and fun printable called the $20 Savings Challenge to help people learn simple, effective ways to save money. The idea is straightforward: save $20 each week for a year and you will accumulate $1,040 without feeling a heavy burden on your budget.
This challenge works well whether you plan to save for a full year or just a few months leading up to the holidays. Consistently setting aside a small, fixed amount each week makes saving predictable and easier to stick with, and it gives you a tangible goal to stay motivated.
Saving money doesn’t have to be dull. Small, consistent actions like this can remove the monotony and help you build momentum. Many people lose motivation when working toward long-term financial goals because progress can seem slow. A weekly challenge keeps your objective visible and provides a regular reminder to prioritize saving.
To make this even easier, I offer a free worksheet for the $20 Savings Challenge. Fill out the simple form I provide to download the printable and start tracking your progress. The worksheet is designed to be user-friendly so you can immediately begin saving without overthinking steps or details.
If you’re new here, my blog focuses on practical strategies to increase income and reduce expenses. Below are a number of proven methods and resources I recommend to help you boost savings, earn extra money, and improve your financial habits. These suggestions are approachable and suited to a wide range of situations.
- Start a blog. Blogging is how I make a living, and it can be a reliable way to generate income over time. If you want to create your own site, follow a clear step-by-step tutorial to set up a WordPress blog. There are many free courses and guides that walk you through choosing a niche, building content, and monetizing your site.
- Use cash-back services. Sign up for a reputable cashback website to earn money back on purchases you already make online. These services are generally free and can return a percentage of your spending as savings or rewards.
- Take paid surveys. Several survey platforms let you earn small amounts of cash or gift cards in exchange for sharing opinions and testing products. Joining multiple survey sites often increases the number of opportunities and potential earnings.
- Save on groceries and meal planning. Invest a small amount in a meal planning service or follow inexpensive meal plans that provide shopping lists and low-cost recipes. Meal planning reduces food waste, saves time, and can dramatically lower weekly food expenses. Many affordable meal plans cost only a few dollars per month and guide you to prepare meals that average a couple of dollars per person.
- Cut your TV bill. Reducing or eliminating cable and satellite subscriptions—possibly even paid streaming services—can free up significant monthly funds. Pair a simple digital antenna with selective streaming subscriptions or free options to keep entertainment costs low.
- Try rewards and inbox apps. Some apps and websites pay you to take surveys, shop, play games, or complete simple tasks. These platforms are best viewed as small supplemental income sources that add up over time, especially if you use them consistently.
Combining one or more of these tactics with a straightforward savings habit like the $20 Savings Challenge can accelerate your financial progress. The challenge simplifies saving into a weekly habit, while the tips above help lower expenses or increase income, giving you more flexibility to save, invest, or pay down debt.
Download the free $20 Savings Challenge worksheet to get started. Track each week, celebrate milestones, and watch how a small weekly saving habit builds into meaningful progress over time.