Savings challenges and goal-planning guides
A savings plan needs three things: a purpose, an amount and a contribution you can actually make. Work through the examples here, then keep a record of real deposits in Savings Goal Tracker.
Choose your starting point
Use the standard challenge for gradually increasing deposits, or compare the reverse version if your available money changes during the year. For a fixed deadline, start with the savings-goal formula. Use the separate-funds guide when several goals compete for the same money.
52-Week Savings Challenge: Complete Chart and Examples
See the full 52-week savings chart, the $1,378 calculation, alternative deposit amounts, and a practical way to track completed contributions.
Read the guide →Saving moneyReverse 52-Week Savings Challenge: Free Printable Chart & CSV
Use the full reverse 52-week chart, free printable checklist and CSV. Deposits run from $52 to $1 and total $1,378; compare the plan with your cash flow.
Read the guide →Saving moneySinking Funds vs an Emergency Fund: Track Each Purpose
Separate planned expenses from unexpected costs with a simple savings-goal worksheet, allocation example, and monthly balance check.
Read the guide →Saving moneyHow to Calculate Savings Goal Contributions
Calculate how much to save per payday or month with a deadline worksheet, dated deposit example, rounding tips and a plan for missed contributions.
Read the guide →Saving moneyHow to Save $1,000 in a Year: Weekly and Monthly Plans
Compare weekly, biweekly and monthly ways to save $1,000 in one year, with exact contribution examples and a catch-up formula.
Read the guide →Saving moneyBiweekly Savings Plan: Calculate Every-Paycheck Deposits
Turn a savings target into 26 every-two-week deposits, account for three-paycheck months and recalculate after an extra or missed contribution.
Read the guide →Saving moneyVacation Savings Goal: Build a Trip Fund Step by Step
Estimate a vacation savings target, add a buffer, subtract money already saved and calculate deposits for each payday or month.
Read the guide →Saving moneySavings Tracker App vs Spreadsheet: Which Fits?
Compare a savings goal tracker app with a spreadsheet for targets, recurring deposits, progress updates and maintaining an accurate savings record.
Read the guide →Saving money100 Envelope Challenge: Free Printable Checklist
Use the free 1–100 envelope checklist and CSV. See why the classic challenge totals $5,050, compare smaller budgets and mark only real deposits complete.
Read the guide →Put it into practice with Savings Goal Tracker
Savings Goal Tracker lets you organize targets and record progress toward them. A recorded contribution is a record, not a bank transfer. Keep the app totals aligned with money you have actually set aside.
Get Savings Goal Tracker.
Give every savings goal a target and track your contributions.
Free to download · iPhone, iPad & Android · Optional in-app purchases