The 52-Week Savings Method: What It Is and How to Do It Step by Step (2026)

Would you like to save more than €1,000 a year with hardly any effort? Do you want to learn a simple and fun way to improve your personal finances? If the answer is yes, then you'll be interested in learning about the 52-week savings method. In this article, we explain what the 52-week savings method is, how to do it step by step, what its advantages are, and we'll give you some basic templates. We'll also give you some tips and tricks so you can adapt this challenge to your needs and circumstances.

What is the 52-week savings method?

The 52-week savings method is a simple and popular challenge that allows you to save a minimum of €1,378 in a year. It is based on the idea of gradually increasing the amount of money you save each week.

How do you save money with the 52-week challenge?

The concept is simple: each week, you deposit the amount corresponding to the week you are in. That is, if it is week 1, you deposit $1; if you are in week 2, you deposit $2, and so on.

However, it is true that the appeal of this method lies in its simplicity and the possibility of adapting it to different levels of profitable passive income. For example, some choose to start with small amounts, such as €1 or €5. Others prefer a reverse structure, starting with more substantial amounts or the 50-30-20 rule and even the kakebo method.

How much can you save with the 52-week method?

The total amount saved using the 52-week method depends on the specific progression chosen and the initial amount set. 

The most common method involves starting with a low amount in the first week and increasing that amount in a steady sequence. As we have said, you can start with €1 in the first week, €2 in the second, €3 in the third, and so on, until you reach €52 in week 52. In this scenario, the total amount saved at the end of the year would be the sum of all the weekly amounts, i.e., €1,378.

However, it is important to note that this amount may vary depending on the specific challenge variant chosen. In other words, you can start by putting in, for example, €10 and then add to that €10 each week. That means week one would be €10, week two would be €12, week three would be €13, and so on. In conclusion, the total amount saved will depend on how much you decide to set aside each week. 

Advantages of the 52-week savings challenge 

The 52-week savings challenge offers several very beneficial advantages for those looking to establish or strengthen their savings habits. Some of its key advantages are:

Accessibility and simplicity

It is an easy method to understand and apply. Its simplicity makes it accessible to people of all ages and levels of financial experience. It does not require specialized knowledge and can be implemented by anyone who wants to improve their saving habits.

Financial discipline

Promote financial discipline by establishing a regular savings commitment. Making weekly deposits encourages consistency and prevents the tendency to put off saving until "later."

Realistic and achievable goals

The gradual progression of the challenge allows the goals to be realistic and achievable for most people. Starting with small amounts and increasing progressively makes the process less overwhelming, increasing the likelihood of success.

Motivation and consistent achievement

As you progress through the challenge, you experience a constant sense of achievement. This motivational factor encourages people to stay committed.

Flexibility

Although there are suggested structures for the 52-week challenge, there is flexibility to adapt it to individual needs. Anyone can adjust the initial amount, weekly progression, and other aspects of the challenge to suit their specific financial circumstances.

Financial awareness

By committing to the challenge, people develop greater awareness of their spending and saving habits. This leads to a better understanding of personal finances and the identification of areas where money management should be improved. A good option today is to teach children to save for their future. It is incredible to see the awareness with which they grow up and the power of decision-making and financial knowledge they develop. If you are interested, I recommend reading about financial education for children.

Emergency fund

At the end of the year, those who complete the challenge will have accumulated a substantial amount that can be used as an emergency fund, as an investment, or however they wish. 

Examples of 365-day savings challenge templates

Having a visual reference when you have a plan is always helpful, so here are some basic savings templates:

Start with €1:

Week

Amount to save

Cumulative total

1 

1 €

2

2 €

3

3 €

4

4 €

5

5 €

6

6 €

7

7 €

8

8 €

9

9 €

10

10 €

Total

1.378 €

Start with €10

Week

Amount to save

Cumulative total

1 

10 €

2

12 €

3

13 €

4

14 €

5

15 €

6

16 €

7

17 €

8

18 €

9

19 €

10

20 €

Total

1.898 €

‍

Start with $25

Week

Amount to save

Cumulative total

1 

25 €

2

27 €

3

28 €

4

29 €

5

30 €

6

31 €

7

32 €

8

33 €

9

34 €

10

35 €

Total

2.678 €

These tables only show the first 10 weeks. Simply copy and paste up to week 52, remembering to add the number of the week you are in to the initial amount. 

Tips for saving successfully in 52 weeks

Saving successfully in the 52-week challenge is relatively easy, but to make it even easier for you, here are some tips: 

Set realistic goals

Before starting the challenge, assess your financial situation and set realistic savings goals. Make sure the weekly amounts are achievable and fit your budget.

Create a budget

Create a budget that reflects your income, expenses, and savings goals. Identify areas where you can reduce non-essential expenses so you can allocate more funds to savings.

Automate deposits

If possible, set up automatic transfers to your savings account each week. Automating this process ensures that you don't forget to make deposits and helps you maintain consistency in your savings.

Adapt the challenge to your needs

Don't be afraid to customize the challenge to suit your needs. You can adjust the weekly amounts, the progression, or even the direction.

Using virtual methods

Use online applications and tools that make it easier to track your progress. Some applications allow you to set savings goals, track deposits, and receive reminders.

Involve family members or friends

Doing the 52-week challenge with friends or family adds support and increases motivation. 

Review and adjust regularly

Review your progress periodically and adjust your approach as needed. If you experience changes in your finances, such as an increase or decrease in income, make the necessary adjustments. 

Maintain a positive mindset

Saving money is challenging, but maintaining a positive mindset is key. Celebrate every achievement, even if it's a small step forward. 

Use vouchers and extra income

If you receive bonuses or extra income during the year, consider allocating a significant portion of those funds to this challenge. This will accelerate your progress toward your annual goal.

Have a clear purpose

Set a clear purpose for your savings. It could be for emergencies, vacations, specific purchases, or long-term goals. Having a clear goal will help you stay focused and committed.

Invest in Domoblock

At Domoblock, we understand that the money you save with effort should work for you. That's why we offer you a simple and secure way to invest part of your savings and make them grow. With just a few clicks, you can allocate an amount to your Domoblock investment account and start diversifying your investments and your assets.

Imagine being able to invest in high-yield real estate projects without the need for large sums of money. We make this possible. We carefully select the best home renovation projects, finance the development together with our investors, and then sell the renovated properties, generating attractive returns.

But what is truly revolutionary about Domoblock is real estate crowdfunding and property tokenization, the latter being a technique that divides physical assets into small digital parts. By owning these tokens, we guarantee you an economic right in the form of interest, derived from the revaluation of the property or the cash flows generated by its lease.

The best part? You can start investing with as little as €200, and we offer an annual return of +10%.

If you want to know more or have already made up your mind, visit our real estate investment website.

Conclusion 

As you have seen, the 52-week savings method is a simple and effective way to save money without making a huge sacrifice. By following this challenge, you can accumulate more than €1,000 per year and improve your financial habits. What's more, you can adapt the method to your personal situation by choosing the order, amount, and frequency of your savings. Remember that saving doesn't have to be boring or difficult; on the contrary, it should be motivating and help you achieve your goals and/or dreams.