If saving money feels hard, I want to make it simple today. I’m going to show you one small change that can help you save $100 this week—without feeling deprived or overwhelmed.
People think saving money requires huge sacrifices, but the truth is, you only need to change one decision you already make every single day. Let’s get into it.
The One Change That Makes All the Difference
Here’s the secret that works for almost everyone: simply replace one thing you buy every day or every workday—just one—with a cheaper version, a free version, or a prepared-at-home version.
You don’t need to overhaul your entire budget or give up everything you enjoy. Just choose one daily habit—the one that sneaks $5–$20 out of your wallet—and swap it.
Common Daily Spending Habits to Consider
Look at your routine and identify which of these apply to you:
- Morning coffee from the café
- Drive-thru breakfast
- Vending machine snacks at work
- Bottled drinks throughout the day
- Lunch out during work
- Food delivery for convenience
- Gas station treats and impulse buys
- After-work takeout when you’re too tired to cook
Pick the one that happens most consistently in your week. That’s your target.
The Math Behind One Small Change
Most of us don’t realize how fast one daily habit adds up. Look at these numbers:
- $5 a day = $35 a week
- $7 a day = $49 a week
- $10 a day = $70 a week
- $15 a day = $105 a week
Even replacing a $15 lunch three or four times this week already gets you to $45–$60 saved. Swap your daily coffee or afternoon snack run? You’re at $75–$100 saved without changing anything else in your life.
The power isn’t in deprivation—it’s in awareness and intentional swapping.
Pick Your One Change (Choose What Works for You)
Here are the easiest options that almost always work:
A: Replace One Meal Out
- Make 1–2 lunches at home this week
- Prep dinner one night instead of ordering
- Choose a cheaper alternative once (like a grocery store deli instead of a restaurant)
B: Replace One Drive-Thru or Coffee
- Brew coffee at home
- Bring a reusable water bottle instead of buying drinks
- Pack snacks from home for your workday
C: Replace One Delivery or Impulse Purchase
- Skip DoorDash or UberEats once this week
- Avoid one unnecessary Target or convenience store run
- Delay one “I’ll just grab something” moment
This works because you’re not overhauling your budget—you’re targeting the specific place where money slips away quietly and consistently.
How to Make This Stick
To make this actually happen and see real results, follow these three steps:
1. Decide Your Swap Ahead of Time
Don’t wait until you’re hungry, tired, or rushed. Decide today which habit you’re swapping and what you’ll replace it with. Planning removes the temptation to fall back into old patterns.
2. Prepare the Replacement
If you’re swapping lunch out, prep your lunch the night before. If you’re skipping the coffee shop, set up your coffee maker so it’s ready to go. Make the easier choice the prepared choice.
3. Put the $100 Aside Immediately
As soon as you save that money, move it somewhere intentional:
- Transfer it to a savings account
- Add it to your emergency fund
- Put it toward a sinking fund for something specific
- Make an extra payment on a small debt
When you see that money move, the habit becomes real—and motivating. You’ll want to keep going.
Why This Strategy Works So Well
The reason this works so fast is because most budgets aren’t blown by big purchases—they’re drained by small, daily habits we don’t track or think about.
When you change just one of them, you unlock more savings than you think. And because it’s only one change, it doesn’t feel overwhelming or restrictive. You’re still enjoying your life—you’re just being more intentional about where your money goes.
Your Challenge: Save $100 This Week
If you want to save $100 this week, pick one habit to change and try it for just seven days. You might surprise yourself with how easy it feels once you commit.
Track your progress. Notice how empowering it feels to take control of one small area of your spending. Then, if you want, add another swap next week. Small changes compound into major financial wins.
Your road to financial security doesn’t require perfection—it requires one intentional step at a time.
Ready for more? Avoid these 5 money mistakes and start seeing your money grow!
