A savings challenge turns "I should save more" into a small, clear step you repeat. Here are three ways to run one in Australian dollars, with every total worked out, and how to pick one that fits your pay.
Written by Alex BPublished 13 November 2026
Money Detective is built around practical household money tools for Australians.
A savings challenge is a rule for how much you put aside and when, such as the 52-week challenge, where you save $1 in week one, $2 in week two and so on. Before you pick one, it helps to know what your pay can actually spare, and the free fortnightly budget template for Excel shows that on one page, with a planned savings amount for every pay.
No challenge guarantees a result, and the amounts below are simple arithmetic, not a promise of what you will save. They are here so you can see the sums before you start. If you want the wider picture first, our guide on how to save money in Australia covers the basics.
You save an amount equal to the week number: $1 in week 1, $2 in week 2, up to $52 in week 52. Added up, that is $1,378 over the year. The catch is that the biggest amounts arrive late in the year, when many households are also paying for Christmas.
| Week | Save | Running total |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1 | $1 |
| 10 | $10 | $55 |
| 26 | $26 | $351 |
| 40 | $40 | $820 |
| 52 | $52 | $1,378 |
To avoid a heavy finish, run it in reverse: save $52 in week 1 and count down to $1. The total is the same, $1,378, but the large payments come when your motivation is highest.
If you are paid fortnightly, saving weekly can feel out of step with your pay. Use the same idea, but with 26 fortnights a year. You save a set step more each fortnight: for example, $1 more each pay, then $2 more, then $5 more.
| Step up each fortnight | First pay | Last (26th) pay | Total after 26 pays |
|---|---|---|---|
| $1 | $1 | $26 | $351 |
| $2 | $2 | $52 | $702 |
| $5 | $5 | $130 | $1,755 |
The total is the step multiplied by 351, which is 1 + 2 + 3 and so on up to 26. These are arithmetic examples, not predictions.
Check the last pay before you start. A $5 step looks small in the first pay, but the 26th pay asks for $130, which only suits some budgets. Pick a step where your final amount still fits, and see how much you should save each pay if you are unsure.
The simplest version is the same amount every pay, with no counting and no rising amounts. Because it never rises, it suits tight budgets and irregular pay best.
| Each fortnight | After 26 pays |
|---|---|
| $10 | $260 |
| $20 | $520 |
| $50 | $1,300 |
If your income changes from pay to pay, start with a smaller amount you can keep up in a quiet month. Our guide to budgeting on irregular income explains how.
You will probably miss one at some point. A bill lands, or a pay is lighter than usual. Skip it, or catch up when you can, and carry on. A challenge is a tool for building a habit, not a test you can fail.
If saving feels impossible right now. If you are struggling to cover bills, a savings challenge is probably not the first step. Our guide on what to do first when you cannot pay your bills covers where to start, and the National Debt Helpline on 1800 007 007 offers free financial counselling.
See what your pay can spare: plan each pay, then track planned vs actual.
Get the Free Fortnightly BudgetThis article provides general information only. It does not take into account your personal objectives, financial situation or needs, and it is not financial advice. Examples use invented figures. Money Detective's tools provide estimates and planning information. Consider your own circumstances, and seek independent advice if you need it, before making financial decisions.