2026 is almost here and we’re continuing the HARD challenge of saving 26% of your income.
We are continuing the 25 in 2025 challenges but have slightly adjusted the goal post for a new year - by 1%!
It’s simple but not easy: save 26% of your income in 2026!
If saving 26% of your income is easy for you (or if your income is over 100K) - please use the alternative 26 in 2026 Challenge: Save $20,260
Both get the same sticker, but the threads will have people at similar income/challenge levels.*
Basic rules:
- The goal is to save 26% of your pre-tax income in 2024. If you make $40,000 per year, that’s $10,400 or $866 per month.
- DEBT REPAYMENT COUNTS
- You can combine any type of savings: emergency fund, 401K, Super, IRA, ISA, taxable
investments, buffer, house down payment fund, student loan payments - to reach your goal. - You can choose household or individual salary, whichever you prefer.
What Counts
- Debt repayment counts towards your savings rate!
- Mortgage principal (but not interest or escrow) counts.
- Only savings that occurs between 1/1/2026 and 12/31/2026 count.
- You can use tax refund or any other windfall money towards your savings percentage, but you then must count that windfall towards your overall income.
- You can count your income and savings jointly with a partner or separately - up to you!
- Student loan forgiveness counts (either PSLF or workplace), but only if you also count it in your gross income.
What do you get:
- Support on this thread as you go along - post monthly or quarterly check-ins as appropriate
- A forum badge after you complete your 26% goal for the year
- A sticker mailed to you for free anywhere in the world!
- A shoutout on the livestream for reaching your goal