Free 52-week savings challenge (printable & Excel)
The 52-week money challenge: put aside a small amount in week one and a little more each week. With 1 and steps of 1 you save 1,378 in a year. Change the starting amount and step to fit your budget.
52-week savings challenge
Download template (8 KB)Printable PDF (33 KB)The file contains only formulas and example numbers — no macros, no links, nothing that connects to the internet.
What's inside
- 52 weeks with dates, deposit and running total
- Choose the first amount and the weekly increase
- Tick each week as you save — progress bar and total saved
- Printable chart to colour in by hand
Prefer pen and paper? The printable PDF is the same layout, empty and ready to fill in by hand.
How to use it in Excel
- Open the downloaded file. If Excel shows a yellow Protected View bar, click Enable Editing — the file has no macros.
- Type over the example values in the yellow cells. Formulas, totals and charts update by themselves.
- Save it under a new name, for example with the month or year, to keep a history.
How to use it in Google Sheets
- Download the .xlsx file with the button above.
- Open Google Drive, choose New → File upload and pick the file.
- Double-click it in Drive and choose Open with Google Sheets — or in Sheets use File → Import → Upload. All formulas keep working.
- Use File → Make a copy to keep a fresh version for each month or year.
Common questions
How much does the 52-week challenge save?
With 1 in week one rising by 1 a week, you save 1,378 by week 52. With 5 rising by 5 you save 6,890.
Can I do it in reverse?
Yes — many people start with the largest amount in January when motivation is high. Tick the weeks in any order; the total still adds up.
Is there a printable version?
Yes — download the printable PDF next to the Excel button. It has the same layout, left empty so you can fill it in by hand.
Is this template really free?
Yes. It is free for personal and business use, with no sign-up or email required. Ads on this page keep the site free.
Does it work in Google Sheets and on a Mac?
Yes. The .xlsx file opens in Microsoft Excel (Windows and Mac), Google Sheets, Apple Numbers and LibreOffice Calc, and all formulas keep working.
Is the file safe?
It contains only cells and formulas — no macros, no links to other files and nothing that connects to the internet.
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