This year, try a 12-day family challenge to save money and give a little to those in need or to a cause that matters to you and your family. Each day brings one small savings act and one act of generosity. The goal isn’t deprivation — it’s building financial mindfulness and a giving spirit together.
Why It Matters
Money habits start young. According to the University of Michigan, children as early as age 5 form emotional patterns around spending and saving that shape future behavior. Meanwhile, a 2025 commentary from HBKS Wealth found that families who connect giving to financial education raise children with stronger money-management skills and a greater sense of purpose.
By linking saving and giving each day, families reinforce two key ideas: saving brings empowerment, and generosity adds meaning to money. Studies suggest these traits grow stronger when practiced together, making this challenge a simple way to strengthen both values.
Getting Started
Kick off by gathering everyone for a short talk: “For the next 12 days, we’ll spend less and give more — together.” Use a poster or chart labeled Day 1 through 12. Let each family member suggest one saving task and one giving activity. Keep it lighthearted and realistic.
Visual tracking makes a big difference. Research from Brigham Young University’s Marriott School of Business shows that visual savings tools help children connect effort with results, reinforcing healthy financial habits.
Explain that saving isn’t just “not spending” — it’s choosing purpose. And giving isn’t “losing money” — it’s choosing kindness. That mindset is key before beginning.
Why Families Benefit
A shared challenge turns money from a source of stress into teamwork. Asking, “Should we buy this or save it?” helps children understand trade-offs and delayed gratification.
Generosity, too, becomes a family habit. According to the University of Notre Dame’s Science of Generosity project, consistent acts of giving are linked to higher happiness and stronger social connections. Teaching that early turns giving into a lifelong reflex, not just a seasonal gesture.
Tips for Success
If you miss a day, pick up the next one. Rotate who leads each activity so everyone feels included. Spend a few minutes each night reflecting on what you saved, how you gave and how it felt.
On Day 12, celebrate. Count the savings, share stories of kindness and talk about continuing one or two habits year-round.
A New Kind of Savings Plan
The 12 Days of Saving isn’t about cutting costs — it’s about expanding purpose. It reminds families that spending less doesn’t mean losing joy. As the savings jar fills and the giving grows, you’ll find that the real reward isn’t in the money you kept — it’s in the gratitude you created together.