Saving Challenges

The 100 Day Savings Challenge: Save Over £5,000 in Just Over 3 Months

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The 100 day savings challenge is one of the most popular saving challenges going. The concept is simple: save £1 on day one, £2 on day two, £3 on day three, all the way up to £100 on day 100. By the end, you'll have saved exactly £5,050. It's surprisingly achievable — but the later days require commitment.

How the Challenge Works

The maths is straightforward. Day 1: save £1. Day 2: save £2. Day 50: save £50. Day 100: save £100. The total comes to £5,050 (the sum of numbers from 1 to 100). The first few weeks are easy — you're saving £1 to £20 per day. The real test comes around day 60-70, when daily amounts hit £60-£70. That's when most people either push through or give up. The whole challenge takes just over three months — about 14 weeks. Starting on April 6th (the new tax year) would have you finishing in mid-July.

Week by Week Breakdown

Here's what each week looks like in terms of total savings:
  • •Week 1 (Days 1-7): Save £1+£2+...+£7 = £28 total
  • •Week 2 (Days 8-14): Save £77 that week — £105 total
  • •Week 4 (Days 22-28): Save £175 that week — £406 total
  • •Week 8 (Days 50-56): Save £371 that week — £1,596 total
  • •Week 12 (Days 78-84): Save £567 that week — £3,570 total
  • •Week 14+ (Days 92-100): Save £864 in the final stretch — £5,050 total

Variations for Smaller Budgets

£5,050 is a lot. If the full challenge feels too ambitious, try these variations:
  • •Half challenge: Save 50p on day one, £1 on day two, up to £50 on day 100. Total: £2,525.
  • •Penny challenge: Save 1p on day one, 2p on day two, up to £1 on day 100. Total: £50.50. Great for building the habit.
  • •Random order: Print a grid of numbers 1-100. Each day, cross off any number and save that amount. This lets you save smaller amounts on tight days and bigger amounts on payday.
  • •Weekly version: Save £10 in week one, £20 in week two, up to £100 in week 10. Total: £550 in 10 weeks.

Where to Keep the Money

Don't keep your challenge money in your current account — it'll get spent. Open a separate savings account specifically for the challenge. Easy-access savings accounts from Marcus, Chase, or Chip offer decent rates and instant withdrawal if you need it. If you want to lock the money away to avoid temptation, a notice account (30, 60, or 90 days) works well. Just make sure you won't need the money urgently. For the tech-savvy, some banking apps let you create named pots or goals, which makes tracking your progress satisfying.

Tips for Actually Finishing

Most people who start the 100 day challenge don't finish it. Here's how to be one of the ones who do:
  • •Set a daily reminder on your phone. Same time each day. Make it a non-negotiable part of your routine.
  • •Automate where possible. Some apps let you schedule increasing daily transfers.
  • •Tell someone you're doing it. Accountability makes you twice as likely to follow through.
  • •Use the random order variation if the escalating amounts feel intimidating — save big numbers on paydays.
  • •If you miss a day, don't quit. Double up the next day or catch up over the weekend.
  • •Track your progress visually. Colour in a chart, use a spreadsheet, or mark it on a calendar. Seeing the progress is motivating.

FAQ

When should I start the challenge?+

Any time! But popular start dates include January 1st, April 6th (new tax year), or the first of any month. Starting on a Monday also helps with weekly tracking.

What if I can't afford the later days?+

Use the random order method. Save higher amounts on paydays and lower amounts on tight weeks. You still reach the same total — the order doesn't matter.

Can I do this challenge with a partner?+

Absolutely. Split each day's amount between you (so you each save half) and you'll still accumulate £5,050 total. Or compete to see who can complete their own challenge first.

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