This post is all about the 100-envelope savings challenge, aka how to save $5,050 one envelope at a time.
Because if you’ve ever tried saving money and it lasted about 4 business days before you “accidentally” spent it… same.
This is the challenge that turns saving into a game. And it’s weirdly addictive.
Let’s get into it.
What Is the 100 Envelope Savings Challenge?
The 100-envelope savings challenge (also called the 100-envelope challenge or envelope savings challenge) is a simple savings method where you:
- Grab 100 envelopes
- Label them 1 through 100
- Put the matching dollar amount into each envelope
So……
- Envelope #1 gets $1
- Envelope #25 gets $25
- Envelope #100 gets $100
When all 100 envelopes are filled…
✅ You saved $5,050.
And yes, it feels as good as it sounds.
Why This Envelope Savings Challenge Works So Well
Here’s the real reason people love this envelope challenge:
It’s visual.
You can SEE your progress.
And if you’re the kind of person who needs to see it to believe it (hi, welcome), this is the best kind of motivation.
Also… it stops you from “forgetting” to save because the envelopes are literally sitting there staring at you.
Judging you. Quietly. Respectfully.
TD; LR
Total saved: $5,050
Envelopes needed: 100
Best for: people who hate budgeting but love progress
Most satisfying part: filling the big envelopes
Hardest part: not touching the cash
How Much Money Do You Save With the 100 Envelope Challenge?
If you complete the full 100 envelope savings challenge, you save:
✅ $5,050 total
That’s enough to:
- build a real emergency fund
- get a month (or two) ahead on bills
- pay off a credit card
- start a “freedom fund”
- breathe again
Honestly? The peace alone is worth it!
What You Need for the 100 Envelope Savings Challenge
You do NOT need a fancy setup.It’s Cheap + Easy.
Here’s the basic DIY 100 envelope challenge starter kit:
Option 1: The Dollar Store Method (best budget option)
- 100 plain envelopes
- a marker
- a shoebox or small bin
That’s it.
You can literally get envelopes at Dollar Tree or Walmart for cheap.
Option 2: The Cute Method (if you want it aesthetic)
- pretty envelopes or vellum envelopes
- a small organizer box
- stickers or labels
- a tracker sheet
This is where the 100-envelope savings challenge printable comes in.
☝️ PIN THIS!
How to Do the 100 Envelope Savings Challenge (Step-by-Step)
Here’s the simplest way to start without overthinking your whole life.
Step 1: Label 100 envelopes
Write numbers 1 to 100 on the front.
Yes, it’s annoying.
Put on a show and power through it.
Step 2: Pick how often you’ll save
You can do this challenge:
- Daily (fastest)
- Weekly (most realistic)
- Whenever you can (still works)
This is why people also call it the 100-day envelope challenge when they do one envelope per day.
Step 3: Choose an envelope and fill it
You have two ways to do it:
Option A: In order
Day 1: $1
Day 2: $2
Day 3: $3
…until $100
Option B: Pick based on what you can afford
This is my favorite way.
If you have $50 extra this week, fill envelope #50.
If you have $7 extra, fill envelope #7.
It keeps the challenge flexible and way less stressful.
Step 4: Seal the envelopes
This is the secret sauce.
Seal them so you’re not tempted to “borrow” from yourself.
Because borrowing from your savings is just stealing… but with extra steps.
The Smart Way to Finish Faster
If you’re thinking:
“Okay Maya… what happens when I hit the $80 envelope and I’m broke?”
Totally fair question.
Here are some realistic ways to handle the bigger numbers:
1) Fill big envelopes when you have extra money
Examples of “extra money”:
- tax refund
- birthday money
- cash back rewards
- overtime pay
- selling something on Facebook Marketplace
- a good week of not spending
When you have a random $100?
Fill envelope #100 and feel like Beyoncé.
2) Use leftover spending money
This tip is GOLD.
If you cash stuff (or you just budget loosely), take whatever you didn’t spend and throw it into an envelope.
Example:
You planned to fill envelope #27…
…but you didn’t spend your “fun money” and now you have $30 extra.
Now you can fill envelope #57 instead.
That’s how you level up fast.
3) Combine envelopes (optional, for chaos queens only)
Some people take money out of two smaller envelopes and combine it to fill a bigger one.
Example:
Envelope #20 + Envelope #34 = Envelope #54
Would I do this?
No. I’d confuse myself and cry.
But it’s an option.
The #1 Mistake People Make with the Money Envelope Challenge
Ready?
They save it… then spend it!
This is the cycle:
- Save $1,000
- Get excited
- Spend it on something cute
- Go back to $0
- Repeat until you’re tired.
BOOOO!
The 100-envelope savings challenge is amazing because it forces you to build the habit of saving…
But you still have to protect the money.
How to stop spending it:
- store envelopes somewhere annoying to reach
- seal them shut
- put them in a locked box
- keep the cash in a safe
- OR do it digitally (more on that next)
Don’t Want Cash in Your House? Do This Instead
Not everyone wants $5,050 sitting in their home.
Totally understandable.
Here’s the safer option:
Use a tracker + move the money to the bank
You can print a 100-envelope savings challenge printable, color in the envelopes you’ve “filled” …
…and transfer that money to a savings account instead.
This is still the savings challenge envelope method, just without the risk of cash lying around.
Even better?
Put it in a high-yield savings account so it earns interest while you save.
If you want your money to grow while you sleep, check out NerdWallet’s guide to high-yield savings accounts
Here’s Your FREE 100-day Envelope Challenge Printable:
☝️ PIN THIS!
100 Envelope Challenge Free Printable (Gotta Love a Shortcut!)
If you want this challenge to be easier and more fun, you need a printable.
A 100-envelope challenge free printable helps you:
- stay consistent
- track your progress
- stay motivated
- avoid guessing what’s left
People also search for:
- 100 envelope savings challenge printable
- free printable 100 cash envelope challenge
Because honestly… it’s just nicer when it’s organized and cute.
What your printable should include:
- 100 envelope tracker
- savings goal page
- progress bar
- “why I’m saving” page
- mini reward milestones
That’s how you stay locked in.
DIY 100 Envelope Challenge Setup (Cute Version)
If you want the full Pinterest experience:
What you’ll need:
- 100 envelopes
- a small box (Walmart has them cheap)
- a marker
- a printable tracker
- stickers (optional but emotionally necessary)
How to store it:
- keep envelopes standing upright like a file system
- organize them by number
- pull from random numbers based on what you can afford
This makes it feel like a money game, not a punishment.
How Long Does the 100 Envelope Savings Challenge Take?
It depends how you do it.
Daily:
✅ About 100 days (just over 3 months)
Weekly:
If you fill 2 envelopes per week:
✅ about 50 weeks
If you fill 5 envelopes per week:
✅ about 20 weeks
There’s no “wrong” pace.
The only wrong move is quitting because you tried to do it too aggressively and burnt out.
Best Reasons to Do the Envelope Money Saving Challenge
Here’s what this challenge is perfect for:
- emergency fund
- paying off debt
- moving out
- getting ahead on bills
- saving for Christmas
- building a cushion so life stops slapping you daily
Even saving $1,100 in 6 months like the transcript mentioned is amazing progress.
That’s $1,100 you didn’t have before.
That’s growth.
That’s power.
That’s “your broke girl era ends here” behavior 😊
How to Stay Consistent
This is the hardest part for most people.
Not the money.
The consistency.
1) Pick envelopes based on your life
Don’t force the challenge to be rigid.
If you only have $12 extra this week, fill envelope #12.
Still counts.
Still progress.
2) Make it part of your weekly routine
Pick a day:
- Sunday reset
- payday
- Friday night money date
Whatever works.
3) Celebrate the small wins
Every envelope you fill is proof you’re changing your habits.
That’s not small.
That’s literally how people become financially stable.
What If the 100 Envelope Challenge Is Too Much?
Then do a smaller version.
You can do:
- 50 envelope challenge
- 60 envelope challenge
- even 25 envelope mini challenge
Saving anything is better than saving nothing.
Perfection is not the goal.
Progress is.
100 Envelope Savings Challenge FAQ
How much money do you save with the 100 envelope savings challenge?
If you fill all envelopes from 1 to 100, you save $5,050 total.
What is the 100 day envelope challenge?
The 100 day envelope challenge is when you fill one envelope per day for 100 days. It’s the fastest way to complete the challenge.
Is there a 100 envelope challenge free printable?
Yes! A 100 envelope challenge free printable is a tracker sheet you can print to mark off envelopes as you save. Many people also use a free printable 100 cash envelope challenge to stay organized.
What is a 100 envelope savings challenge printable?
A 100 envelope savings challenge printable is usually a tracker that shows all 100 envelopes so you can color them in as you save.
Do I have to keep cash at home for the envelope challenge?
No. You can use the envelope tracker as a visual and transfer the money to a savings account instead. It still works.
The Bottom Line
The 100 envelope savings challenge is one of the most fun, visual, and effective ways to save money fast.
It’s simple.
It’s flexible.
And it helps you build the habit that actually changes your life:
Saving first… not spending first.
So whether you do it daily, weekly, or whenever you can…
Just start.
Even if it’s envelope #1.
Even if it’s $5.
Because that’s how the whole glow-up begins.
Worth Noting:
If you want to make this challenge even easier, grab a 100 envelope savings challenge printable, keep your envelopes sealed, and move the cash to a high-yield savings account when you’re done.
Your broke girl era ends here.
And Future You is going to be SO proud.
If you loved this savings challenge, you’ll also want to check out my 52 Week Money Saving Challenge for an easy, beginner-friendly way to save money all year long.
