How the savings plan works
Example: to have $5,000 by December 31, 2027, saving every two weeks from January 1 into a 4% APY account, you need about $188.70 a paycheck. Interest adds about $94 of the $5,000. Without interest it would be $192.31.
The 52-week money challenge
Save $1 in week 1, $2 in week 2 and so on up to $52 in week 52. The deposits add up to $1,378 (1 + 2 + … + 52). Double every amount for $2,756, or start at $5 for $6,890. Doing it in reverse, biggest first, gets the hardest weeks done in January and leaves small amounts for the expensive holiday season.
Make it stick
- Automate the transfer for the morning after payday.
- Keep the money in a separate high-yield savings account so it's out of sight.
- Set the goal to a real purpose: an emergency fund, next year's holidays or a big purchase.
Frequently asked questions
How much do you save with the 52-week challenge?
$1,378 if you start at $1 and add $1 each week. Starting at $2 doubles it to $2,756, and $5 gives $6,890.
How much should I save per paycheck in 2027?
Divide your goal by the 26 paychecks of a biweekly schedule (or 24 for twice a month). For $10,000 that is about $385 a paycheck, a little less with interest.
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