$1,000 in 100 days
One box a day for 100 days. Most are under $20.
If a year feels too long, try 100 days. Each box on this sheet is between $1 and $19, and together they add up to exactly $1,000. Color in one box a day and you reach the goal in a little over three months.
A first $1,000 is a common starting point for an emergency fund: enough to cover a surprise car repair or vet bill without reaching for a credit card.
How it works
There are 100 boxes, one for each day, between $1 and $19. They add up to exactly $1,000, which averages $10 a day. Because the amounts are mixed, you can pick a $2 box on a tight day and an $18 box on payday.
| To finish in | Save per week | About per day |
|---|---|---|
| 100 days | $70.00 | $10.00 |
| 3 months | $76.93 | $10.99 |
| 6 months | $38.47 | $5.50 |
| 1 year | $19.24 | $2.75 |
How to use it
- Write your start date at the top.
- Each day, move money to savings and color in a box for that amount.
- Skipped a day? Color in two boxes the next day, or just keep going. The total still adds up.
Ways to use it
- Go weekly instead: color in seven boxes every payday or every Sunday.
- Stretch it: take 200 days instead of 100 by doing one box every other day.
- Use it as your emergency fund starter: $1,000 is a common first goal.
Tips
- Pick the bigger boxes on payday and the small ones at the end of the month.
- An automatic daily or weekly transfer means you only have to color in.
Questions
How much is $1,000 in 100 days per day?
Exactly $10 a day on average, or $70 a week.
Can I do this challenge on a low income?
Yes. The smallest boxes are $1 and $2. If $10 a day is too much, take longer; the $250 challenge is another good place to start.
What happens if I miss a day?
Nothing. Color in two boxes the next day, or just keep going. The total still adds up to $1,000.
Goes well with
- Emergency fund tracker Start with $1,000, then build to three months of expenses.
- $250 savings challenge for tight budgets 50 small boxes, $1 to $9 each.
More savings challenges
Save $2,027 in 2027
A year-long savings challenge with 100 boxes, from $5 to $36.
$5,000 biweekly paycheck savings challenge
One amount per payday, 26 paydays, $5,000 by the end of the year.
$10,000 savings challenge
100 boxes, no envelopes or cash needed.
Reverse 52-week savings challenge
Start at $52 in January, end at $1 in December.
This printable is a general planning tool, not financial advice. Read the full disclaimer.