The ’52 Week Savings Challenge’ Could Be a Game-Changer for Your 2025 Finances

There’s a reason why so many young people are turning to methods like the 52 week savings challenge. Saving money right now is hard. We’re living through days of high inflation, a cost of living crisis, and a suffocatingly expensive housing market. Earlier this year, Yorkshire Building Society reported that five million young people in the UK haven’t saved anything in the last two years. Meanwhile, over a third (39%) of Gen Z-ers claimed they lacked the knowledge to make important financial decisions.

Luckily, there are some savings methods that are surprisingly easy to try—even if you don’t know much about finances. The 52 week savings challenge is a savings plan that’s straightforward, pretty doable (especially at this financially tricky time of year), and means you could save over $1,300 this year. It’s safe to say it’s the savings challenge we at Glamour are giving a go in 2025.

Here’s what you need to know:

How does the 52 week savings challenge work?

You transfer an specific amount into your savings every week (on whichever day suits you best). The amount increases by $1 each week, so it’s also pretty easy to remember. So week one, you transfer $1, week two you transfer $2, all the way to week 52 where you transfer $52.

The total amount you can save during this challenge is significant: $1,378. And the nature of the challenge means the end of the year requires quite a lot to go into savings, but gives you plenty of time to prepare for this through your own budgeting. It also means the beginning of the year (and challenge) requires quite small amounts to be saved, giving you the chance to ease your way in during a time of year that can be quite financially tight.

How can I make sure I stay on track with the challenge?

Of course, these kinds of challenges seem like an amazing idea when a new year has just begun and you’re feeling fresh and shiny looking at the 365 days ahead. But sticking with it all year, when unforeseen expenses inevitably crop up? That’s the true challenge.

Here are some top tips to stay on track: