Every year, millions of people across the country take time during America Saves Week to focus on their financial health and set new savings goals. This national campaign offers a timely reminder to review your finances, set a plan, and take action. Whether you’re saving for a rainy day, building your emergency fund, or just getting started, there are countless ways to save and make steady progress.
Credit.org is proud to be a longtime supporter of America Saves Week. In fact, we’ve received the America Saves Week Savings Champion Award four years in a row. This honor recognizes our ongoing commitment to financial education and community savings initiatives. We’re also the proud sponsor of San Diego Saves and Inland Empire Saves, local campaigns helping individuals across Southern California pledge to save and achieve their goals.
America Saves Week is an annual event that encourages individuals to commit to saving money and improving their financial habits. The campaign typically takes place in the first quarter of the year and is coordinated by America Saves, a nonprofit initiative managed by the Consumer Federation of America. Each day of the week features a different theme focused on key areas of personal finance—from starting an emergency fund to planning for retirement.
If you haven’t participated before, now is a great time to join. You can start by making an America Saves Pledge, a simple commitment to yourself to take action toward better financial stability. Your pledge can focus on a specific saving goal or simply aim to improve your overall money habits.
Taking the pledge is more than just a gesture. It’s a proven way to build accountability and stay on track with your savings goals. Those who make a pledge are more likely to follow through on saving money consistently. Plus, when you make the pledge, you’ll receive email reminders and resources to help you stay focused on your goal throughout the year.
To learn more about setting realistic goals and staying motivated, visit our guide on Taking the Right Steps to Achieve Your Pledge.
One of the most popular activities during America Saves Week is participating in a saving challenge. These challenges are flexible, easy to follow, and designed to meet you where you are. Whether it’s a 30-day savings challenge or a plan to save $5 a day, the goal is to help you form better saving habits through consistency.
A successful savings challenge doesn’t require huge sacrifices. It can be as simple as skipping one coffee run per week or cutting back on streaming services for a month. The key is to turn small actions into big results over time. Not only will you see your money saved increase, but you’ll also build confidence and momentum.
If you’re going to commit to a saving challenge, it’s important to have a safe place to keep your money. That’s where a dedicated savings account comes in. Opening a savings account helps separate your spending money from your savings, making it easier to track your progress and avoid temptation.
For helpful strategies on getting the most out of your savings account, check out our article on How to Manage Your Savings Account Effectively.
Saving money isn’t something you do once; it’s something you build into your daily routine. That might mean setting up automatic transfers to your savings account every payday, using a budgeting app, or reviewing your monthly expenses to see where you can cut back. These small habits add up, and over time, they create a solid foundation for your financial future.
Savings doesn’t always mean big deposits. Consistency is the goal. Even if you’re only saving $10 a week, that’s over $500 a year, enough to handle an unexpected bill or start building an emergency fund.
Unexpected expenses can strike at any time: a car repair, a medical bill, or a surprise home repair. That’s why it’s essential to have an emergency fund. This is your financial safety net, designed to protect you from dipping into credit cards or taking on debt when life throws a curveball.
During America Saves Week, take a moment to assess how prepared you are for emergencies. Can you cover a $400 expense without borrowing money? If not, you’re not alone. Many Americans struggle with emergency savings. The good news is that it’s never too late to start.
An emergency fund doesn’t have to be huge to be helpful. Begin with a small, reachable goal, perhaps $500, and increase it over time. Automating your contributions can make this easier and help you stick to your plan without thinking about it.
Looking for an easy way to boost your savings? A money challenge can be the perfect jumpstart. Unlike general saving goals, a money challenge provides structure and a defined finish line. It also introduces an element of fun to the process, especially if you track your progress visually or involve your family.
Here are a few examples:
These kinds of challenges work because they turn saving into a habit. For more ideas, our article on Basics of Saving covers foundational strategies that anyone can use.
One of the best motivators for sticking with your savings plan is watching your money grow. Whether you’re participating in a challenge or saving money more generally, tracking the amount you’ve saved helps you stay motivated and focused.
Consider using a spreadsheet, app, or even a paper tracker to record each deposit into your savings account. Seeing the total build up can inspire you to keep going, even when other financial pressures come up.
Celebrate milestones, too. Reaching $100, $500, or $1,000 is a big deal. Each goal achieved is proof that your efforts are working and your financial situation is improving.
During America Saves Week, each day presents a new opportunity to explore different ways to save. Some of the most common areas where people find success include:
Even modest changes can lead to hundreds of dollars saved over the course of a year.
Saving money is important all year, but America Saves Week offers a valuable moment to pause and plan ahead. Use this time to reflect on your financial journey and look for new ways to build on your progress.
Are you saving for retirement? Planning a vacation? Working on building wealth? Whatever your goal, this is the perfect time to re-evaluate your plan and set new benchmarks.
For more long-term strategies, explore our article on The Difference Between Saving Money and Building Wealth. It explains how saving is just the beginning; investing and planning ahead are key to growing your financial future.
A rainy day fund is different from an emergency fund. It’s for those smaller, annoying surprises that aren’t quite emergencies but still throw off your budget. Think of things like:
Having a few hundred dollars set aside for these situations can reduce stress and prevent you from going into credit card debt. It’s also a great short-term goal if you’re just getting started with saving.
Even if you already have an emergency fund, setting up a rainy day savings account can help keep your finances organized and prepare you for everyday curveballs.
Government studies also emphasize that even small savings increase financial resilience. According to the Federal Reserve’s Report on the Economic Well-Being of U.S. Households, approximately 30% of U.S. adults lack sufficient emergency savings. That highlights how vital it is to build your emergency fund and rainy day cushion.
There are many ways to participate in America Saves Week, whether you’re an individual, an organization, or part of a community group. You can host a savings challenge at your workplace, share social media posts to raise awareness, or simply talk to friends and family about their saving goals.
For organizations, this week offers a chance to provide tools and resources to support employee financial wellness. Hosting workshops, sharing newsletters, and directing people to reliable resources like Credit.org’s Financial Literacy Month guide can make a meaningful difference.
If you’re a parent or teacher, this is also a great time to talk to kids about saving. Helping young people build strong money habits early can put them on a path to long-term success.
America Saves is more than just a campaign; it’s a movement that brings communities together. Local campaigns like San Diego Saves and Inland Empire Saves help residents access tools, resources, and community-based support to stay focused on their savings journey.
These programs are especially effective because they meet people where they are. Whether you’re struggling to get started or ready to take your savings to the next level, there’s support for you. You’ll find a range of partners including nonprofits, credit unions, schools, and employers all working together to make saving easier and more accessible.
One of the best ways to start saving consistently is by creating a simple, realistic budget. Budgeting gives you a clear picture of your income and expenses so you can make better choices with your money.
If you’re new to budgeting, start with just three categories:
By paying yourself first, putting money into your savings account before spending on extras, you’ll build savings into your routine. And remember, budgeting isn’t about restriction. It’s about using your money in ways that support your goals.
Learn more with our article on What is Financial Literacy?, which explains why budgeting is a fundamental part of your overall financial education.
There are endless ways to save in daily life, and many don’t require drastic lifestyle changes. Consider these practical steps:
These methods can support a consistent savings approach and help you direct more funds into your savings account with minimal effort.
Setting clear, measurable financial goals can keep you motivated long after America Saves Week ends. Your goals could include:
Make sure each goal is tied to a timeline and a specific dollar amount. Break them into smaller steps to avoid feeling overwhelmed. And don’t forget to revisit your goals regularly to track progress and adjust as needed.
To help you get started, explore our article on What Are Interest Rates and How Does Interest Work? Understanding how interest affects your savings (and your debts) will help you make smarter decisions as you build wealth.
Saving isn’t always easy. It takes patience, planning, and discipline. That’s why it’s important to celebrate milestones along the way. Did you complete a savings challenge? Reach your emergency fund goal? Make your first deposit into a retirement account? Celebrate it!
Positive reinforcement helps you stick with good habits. Share your success with friends, post your progress online, or reward yourself with a small treat. Recognition, no matter how small, goes a long way in keeping you motivated.
America Saves Week is more than a campaign. It’s an opportunity to hit pause, reflect on your financial habits, and start fresh. Whether you’re pledging to save for the first time or recommitting to an old goal, the tools and community support are here for you.
So take the pledge, choose a saving challenge, and commit to making smarter financial choices today. Your future self will thank you.
