The 40/40/40 Challenge: Save $40 and Declutter 40 Things in Less Than 40 Days
- jennifercorkum
- Aug 17
- 4 min read
Updated: Aug 27
Living a debt-free, minimalist lifestyle isn’t about restriction—it’s about clarity, peace, and freedom. One of the simplest ways to start building better financial habits while decluttering your life is through what I call the 40/40/40 Challenge: Save at least $40 and get rid of at least 40 things in less than 40 days.
This Challenge is the perfect combination of minimalist finance and decluttering. You’ll create financial breathing room, clear physical clutter, and build momentum toward your larger goals of saving money, paying off debt, and living with intention.
How the 40/40/40 Challenge Works
The beauty of this system is its simplicity. You don’t need a complicated app, a strict budget, or a professional organizer. You need consistency.
If you’re a monthly planner: Start on the first of the month.
If you’re a weekly planner, you can begin on any Monday.
Here’s the routine:
Monday: Save $1 and get rid of 1 item.
Tuesday: Save $2 and get rid of 2 items.
Wednesday: Save $3 and get rid of 3 items.
Thursday: Save $4 and get rid of 4 items.
Friday: Take the day off (rest and reset).
Repeat the cycle the following week.
By the end of 30 days, you’ll have saved at least $40 and removed 40 items from your home.
Why This Challenge Works
Small, consistent steps add up.
Saving a few dollars and decluttering a few things each day might not seem like much, but in less than 40 days, you’ll notice a real difference.
Builds financial discipline.
That $40 isn’t just “money saved”—it’s a seed. Place it in a High-Yield Savings Account (HYSA) where it can start earning interest. This reinforces the habit of putting your money to work instead of letting it slip away.
Decluttering creates mental clarity.
Every item you release reduces mental weight. You’ll feel lighter, more organized, and more intentional with what you keep.
Opportunity for extra income.
Some of the 40 items might be sellable. Clothes, books, or small gadgets can be listed online or sold at a garage sale. That could mean an extra $50–$100 in addition to your $40 savings.
What to Do With the Clutter
Once you’ve collected the 40 items, you have options:
Sell them – Turn clutter into cash through Facebook Marketplace, Poshmark, or local sales apps.
Donate them – Give items to local shelters, charities, or thrift stores.
Gift with purpose – If someone truly needs an item, offer it—but avoid just “passing along clutter.” A small nominal fee ensures they value it and don’t take something they don’t need.
Why Minimalist Finance + Decluttering Is So Powerful
The 40/40/40 Challenge isn’t just about $40 or 40 things—it’s about building habits that last. Minimalist finance is about simplifying your money, eliminating waste, and keeping what truly matters. Decluttering is the same concept applied to your physical space.
When combined, these two practices:
Free up money for savings, debt payoff, or investments.
Free up space for peace, creativity, and intentional living.
Free up time by reducing the number of things you manage daily.
Take the Challenge Today
Start this Monday—or the first of the upcoming month—and commit to the 40/40/40 Challenge. In less than 40 days, you’ll:
Have $40+ saved (possibly more if you sell items).
Own 40 fewer things, giving you more space and mental clarity.
Build momentum toward financial freedom and a simpler, more intentional life.
Final Thoughts
Minimalist finance doesn’t have to be complicated. It’s about simple, repeatable actions that add up to significant results. By combining decluttering with money-saving habits, you create a double impact: a lighter home and a healthier bank account.
👉 Start small. Stay consistent. And remember: every dollar saved and every item decluttered brings you one step closer to peace, freedom, and clarity.
How the 100/100/90 Works
Timeline: 90 days (about 3 months)
Goal: Save $100 and remove 100 items from your home/life
Instead of daily micro-challenges, this version focuses on weekly goals for balance and sustainability.
Weekly Breakdown:
Save $10–$15 per week (automatic transfer to a High-Yield Savings Account if possible).
Declutter 8–12 items per week (clothes, books, kitchen gadgets, forgotten subscriptions, etc.).
Track progress on a checklist or journal.
At the end of 90 days:
You’ll have at least $100 saved (likely more if you add small wins like selling items).
You’ll have 100 fewer things cluttering your space.
You’ll have 3 months of proof that consistency beats intensity.
Why This Challenge Works
✅ Scalable Growth – It’s bigger than the 40/40/40 but stretched over more time, so it feels achievable.
✅ Habit Cementing – 90 days is long enough to make saving + decluttering automatic.
✅ Flexible Execution – Some weeks you might save extra or declutter more — that’s okay. The totals are what matter.
✅ Mindset Upgrade – By 100 items, you’ll likely start decluttering non-physical clutter too (apps, commitments, toxic habits).
Bonus Ideas
Sell at least 10 items: Turn clutter into cash and boost your $100 savings.
“One In, One Out” Rule: For the 90 days, don’t bring in new clutter. If you buy something, let something else go.
Accountability Partner: Do it with a friend or family member — compare progress weekly.
The Ripple Effect
By the time you finish the 100/100/90 Challenge, you’ll be amazed at how much lighter you feel — financially, mentally, and physically. And remember: once you’ve proven you can save $100 and declutter 100 items, you can scale it up again.
👉 Minimalist finance isn’t about perfection — it’s about progress.
First $40, then $100. First 40 items, then 100. Each step brings you closer to clarity, freedom, and peace.
Would you like me to also design an infographic (similar to the 40/40/40 one) that lays out the 100/100/90 weekly structure for readers to save/share?
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