30-Day Money Habit Stack Challenge: Build Better Habits & Create a Perfect Routine

Combine your habits, grow your savings, and start building your dream—perfect for New Year’s resolutions or anytime you want a fresh start!

What Is “Habit Stacking”?

Habit Stacking is a powerful concept from James Clear, author of Atomic Habits. By combining multiple habits, you reinforce them - like links in a chain. Each action strengthens the other. Think of it this way:

“After (current habit), I will (new habit).”

This structure helps you link new habits to existing ones, making it easier to stick with them.

Why Money?

Money is an incredible “chain” because you can reward yourself for building a good habit or “fine” yourself for slipping on one (like a classic swear jar - think of a movie where a child tells an adult they need to pay a quarter for swearing). Whether you’re breaking a bad habit or reinforcing a good one, paying yourself is a powerful motivator.

Not only does this process bolster the other habit you want to grow, but it also builds your wealth-building habit. You’re strengthening your “money muscle” and learning to pay yourself first—prioritizing your vision over giving money to someone else’s dream.

When do we start building our own dream? The answer is now. Each time you pay yourself first, you’re telling yourself: I am building my dream. You’re choosing to be intentional with money, using it for something bigger, and shaping a positive identity with money.

How the Challenge Works

Over the next 30 days, you’ll focus on two habits:

1. A Personal Habit – Something you want to improve or remove.
2. A Savings Habit – The “anchor” where you decide how much to pay or charge yourself each time you perform—or skip—your personal habit.

By pairing these habits, you practice habit stacking while giving yourself a clear financial incentive to stick with it—perfect for New Year’s resolutions or any fresh start.

Instructions (5 Steps)

1. Access the Challenge Sheet

• Click here to open the Google Sheet: Once in the sheet, select File → “Make a copy” to save to your Google Drive. This will let you edit "Your Challenge Sheet"
• Or download the one-pager pdf if you’d prefer:
  • Writing with an iPad or tablet
  • Writing on a mobile device
  • Printing it out

2. Review the “Example Challenge Sheet”

• See my copy to learn how to write your habit statement, think of an action, and tie it to your money stack.
• I’ll update my example daily starting January 13, 2025. Check it for ideas or clarity on the process!

4. Build Your Own Habit Stack

• Write down your chosen habit and the money action you’ll take (pay or charge yourself).
• Decide how you’ll do this each day for 30 days.

3. Pick Two Habits

• Over the next 30 days:
  1. Choose any personal habit (one you want to improve or remove).
  2. Decide how you’ll pay yourself for doing (or not doing) that habit—success or slip-up.

5. Set a Daily Cost/Reward & Track

• Which motivates you more: a “carrot” (reward) or a “stick” (fine)?
• In my example, I respond better to the “stick,” so I set a big charge if I don’t do my habit.
• Track your progress each day for 30 days, then decide how you’ll use the money you’ve saved.

Tools You’ll Need

• A Growth Mindset – 100% essential!
• A Habit You Want to Change – Improve or remove; your choice.
• A Money-Savings Habit – The anchor for your stack.
• Creative Ways to Save – (See below!)
• Two Bank Accounts – A checking account (daily use) and a savings account (to hold your money).
• Optional: An Investment Account – Once you’ve saved, consider investing. If you’re new, I recommend Fidelity (trusted them for over 10 years).

Objectives & Outcomes

1. Grow Multiple Habits – Tackle more than one habit at once—perfect for New Year’s resolutions or a mid-year refresh.
2. Learn Creative Saving Techniques – Challenge yourself to “find” money in your budget.
3. Build a Better Money Mindset – Your mindset is the key to all financial success.
4. Develop Long-Term Money Muscles – Become more intentional about spending and saving.

Creative Tips to Save Money for This Challenge

How much you need depends on the cost or reward you set on your “Your Challenge Sheet.” Here are some ideas to fund your money stack:

1. Focus on a Budget Category: For instance, food. Explore Budget Bytes or use coupons. Funnel what you save into your habit stack.
2. No-Spend Day: Pick one or more days each week to not spend. Use those savings to pay yourself.
3. Change a Money Behavior: Swap a daily coffee or lunch out for homemade. Redirect those funds into savings.
4. Pause an Activity: Skip a night out or subscription service. Put that money into your savings habit instead.
5. Cancel or Negotiate a Service: Review your bills and subscriptions. Cancel or haggle for a lower rate.
6. Sell Something: Any unwanted items at home? Sell them and funnel the cash into your challenge.
7. Share a Cost: Split a ride share, carpool, or share a meal. Halve your expense with a friend.
8. Plan a Free Activity: Go to a library, take a hike, or have a reading night. Happiness doesn’t require spending money—learning how to find joy in free experiences is a great skill to learn!

Enjoy This?

• Read the "Start Here" page to learn more about where we are headed on the wealth-building path. subscribe for more tips.
• Check out the Money Monk YouTube channel to learn more about building wealth.

I’d Love to Participate With You!

Share your habit stack in a YouTube comment, respond to this post, or send me an email. I’ll be cheering you on!

Here’s to building a healthier, wealthier you—one day and habit at a time.