As someone just finishing up high school or attending college or university, saving money might sound like something you don’t need to think about yet — but trust me, starting early is a total game-changer. You don’t have to have it all figured out or be making tons of money to build good habits now. Even small amounts add up faster than you think! Whether you're dreaming of a trip, new clothing, a future car, or simply having some extra freedom, adopting a savings mindset while you're young can make a significant difference. Let’s talk about some easy, no-stress ways to get started.

Here are ten really easy challenges for a young person to kickstart their savings in very small ways:

🌟 The $5 Challenge:
Every time you receive a $5 bill (or can spare $5 from your paycheque), stash it away. It adds up fast without feeling painful.

🌟 No-Spend Day Challenge:
Pick one day a week (like Monday) where you spend zero dollars. Even one day a week can save on gas, snacks, and coffee money, among other things.

🌟 Round-Up Challenge:
I’ve mentioned this one before, but if you buy something for $6.25, "round up" and move the extra $0.75 into savings. Some banks or apps even do this automatically! It may seem like a very useless way to save, but small amounts like this can add up before you know it.

🌟 $1 a Day Challenge:
Save $1 every single day for a month. That's $30 saved without even trying hard.

🌟 Goal Picture Challenge:
Print a picture of what you’re saving for (a concert, trip, shoes, laptop) and put it somewhere visible. It keeps the goal exciting and tangible.

💸 Pay Yourself First:
Before you spend anything, set aside a little money — even just $10. Treat it like a bill you have to pay. I’ve done this myself. The first of every month I move a specific amount to another account. Over the years, this amount has accumulated, and my husband and I have taken a couple of trips with the money we saved.

💸 Delete Tempting Apps:
If online shopping or food delivery apps make it too easy to spend, consider deleting them from your phone (even just temporarily). Online shopping can be a quick way to deplete your money. I’ve also been caught in the online shopping trance and buying things I don’t really need. Now, I leave the item I think I need in the website cart and come back to it later. After some time, I usually find that I no longer need or want that item.

💸 Take Advantage of Student Discounts:
If you're still a student (or have a school email address), many companies offer discounts that can be combined with sales.

💸 Challenge Yourself to a Free Weekend:
Once a month, plan a weekend with only free activities: hanging out with friends, hiking, movies at home, library visits — no spending allowed!

💸 Make Saving Visual:
Use a jar, a chart, or even a colouring sheet where you colour in a square every time you save a little bit. Believe it or not, watching your progress is super motivating. You can get a free 100-day challenge from me when you subscribe to my website. Decide on an amount that you want to save each day for 100 days, and colour in each circle as you put that amount away.

Try a couple of these strategies at first. Building good saving habits while you're young is one of the smartest financial moves you can make. It doesn’t require a lot of money to start — just commitment and consistency. Consistency is key in really anything you do. Over time, even small amounts will accumulate and provide you with more options and security for the future. By taking small, practical steps today, you’re setting yourself up for a lifetime of stronger financial choices. Saving early isn’t just about money — it’s about giving yourself freedom, stability, and peace of mind down the road. Once you start becoming a money saver, you’ll find that it sticks with you and you’ll continue this habit as you get older.

Easy Ways to Start Saving as a Young Adult

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