1p Challenge 2026 – Save Over £660 with Martin Lewis’ Simple Trick

Looking to get your finances in better shape in 2026 without cutting out all your fun? Martin Lewis and his team at Money Saving Expert have long supported the famous 1p savings challenge—and it’s back for 2026 with the potential to help you save £667.95 in just one year.

It’s one of the easiest, no-stress savings hacks out there. You don’t need apps, spreadsheets, or even a bank account. Just spare change, a jar, and a little consistency.

Let’s break down how it works, how much you’ll save, and how you can adapt it to suit your budget.

Concept

The 1p savings challenge is simple:

• On January 1, save 1p.
• On January 2, save 2p.
• On January 3, save 3p.

You keep increasing the amount by 1p every day until you reach December 31, when you’ll save £3.65.

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By the end of the year, that tiny bit of daily saving builds up to £667.95.

Martin Lewis, speaking on his ITV Money Show, described it as a painless way to grow a decent pot of savings: “By the last day of December you’re saving £3.65. That would give you £667.95 in total.”

It’s a great way to build a habit, especially if you usually struggle to stick to traditional saving plans.

Flexibility

One of the best things about this challenge? You can adjust it to fit your life.

January is often a financially tight month. After the festive season, bills, and back-to-work costs, you might not have the wiggle room to start saving, even in pennies. If that’s the case, no problem—just start in February, or even later.

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You can also flip the challenge on its head. Start with the biggest amount first—£3.65 on day one—and work backward. This approach, called the reverse 1p challenge, lets you frontload your savings when you’re most motivated and typically less cash-strapped.

Monthly

Wondering how much you’ll actually be putting away each month? Here’s a breakdown to show how your pennies add up:

It’s amazing how small daily habits snowball into big results over time.

Benefits

What makes the 1p challenge so effective isn’t just the money—it’s the discipline it builds.

You’ll become more aware of your daily spending and more motivated to stash away spare change or cut back on small, unnecessary purchases. It also works well for kids or young adults learning about money management.

Need money for Christmas, emergency expenses, or a small holiday next year? This challenge can get you there—without pressure.

Tools

Want to make this even easier? You don’t need to use physical coins or jars (unless you want to). Here are some ways to modernize the challenge:

• Bank apps: Many banking apps let you set up auto-saving rules.
• Money-saving apps: Try Plum, Monzo, or Chip to automate your savings.
• Spreadsheets or trackers: Print a 1p challenge tracker and tick off days.

It’s all about what works best for you.

Tips

To make sure you stick with it:

• Set a reminder: Use a daily alarm on your phone.
• Make it visible: Keep your jar or tracker somewhere you’ll see it daily.
• Double up if you miss a day: Life happens. If you skip a day, just add it on the next.
• Go digital: If coins aren’t your thing, set a recurring transfer to a savings pot.

The key is consistency over perfection.

If you’re trying to build better money habits in 2026, this challenge is a low-effort way to get started. With over £660 in savings by the end of the year, it’s a satisfying way to surprise yourself with your own discipline. Whether you use it for a treat, a safety net, or a holiday, it’s money that won’t just magically appear—you made it happen.

FAQs