Print challenge cards or buy them ready-made? The pros and cons at a glance
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Saving… we all know it's important, but it's not always fun. Yet, it can be truly motivating and even addictive—if you use the right tools. One of the most popular ways to make saving visual, fun, and organized is with savings challenge cards .
More and more people are using them in combination with cash stuffing or budget binders. But what's smarter: printing your own cards or buying them ready-made? In this blog post, we'll list all the pros and cons.
What are savings challenge cards?
Savings challenge cards are visual savings goals on paper (or laminated card stock). Each box, icon, or symbol represents an amount you're saving. As you set aside an amount, you color in a box or check something off. Super simple, yet incredibly effective—especially because you see your progress grow.
There are all sorts of savings challenge cards. Think of a 52-week savings challenge , monthly savings goals, or creative themes like vacations, holidays, or no-spend challenges. They often fit in an A6 or A5 budget binder, making them easy to combine with your cash stuffing system.
Print your own savings challenge cards
Many people choose to print their cards themselves. Numerous templates and downloads are available online. For example, check out our digital savings challenges here.
Benefits of printing yourself:
- Budget-friendly : You can download free or cheap templates.
- Creative freedom : You decide how the map looks — from colors to icons.
- Get started right away : No shipping time needed if you can print yourself.
Disadvantages of printing yourself:
- The quality depends largely on your printer and paper.
- Without lamination the cards are not reusable.
- Size may vary depending on your binder — especially A6/A7 sizes.
Would you rather have a ready-made card in your hands without any hassle? Then buying it might be a better option.
Buy ready-made savings challenge cards
More and more online stores offer printed materials that perfectly complement your budget planner. Vaye Amsterdam 's savings challenge cards are a great example: stylishly designed, laminated, and perfectly tailored to your budget planner.
Benefits of buying:
- Professional look : Think laminated, durable cards that last.
- Instantly ready to use : No printing, cutting or laminating required.
- Perfect size for cash stuffing binders : Like the popular A6 Savings Challenge card .
Disadvantages of buying:
- Slightly more expensive than printing yourself.
- More limited in terms of personalisation (but the styles are diverse: minimalist, modern & elegant).
What suits you?
Still unsure whether to print yourself or buy? Here's a quick comparison:
| You choose... | If you... |
|---|---|
| Print yourself | Are creative, have a printer and like to make things yourself. |
| Buy | Loves quality, convenience and wants to have a ready-made product in hand. |
Combine your cards with a complete planner
Whether you print your own or opt for a ready-made solution, a good setup helps you save consistently. At Vaye, you can easily combine your savings challenge cards with cash envelopes , budget binders , and piggy banks . This way, you can build a system step by step that truly works for you.
Bonus: Collect challenge cards as a gift
Another great tip: the cards also make perfect gifts . Think of a "holiday savings card" for a friend planning a trip, or a "change challenge" for a child learning to save. Combine it with an A6 binder and some cash envelopes , and you have an original and practical gift.
Conclusion
Whether you're a creative DIYer or prefer a beautiful, ready-made card, savings challenge cards make saving easier and more fun. They give you clarity, structure, and motivation. And let's be honest: a card full of colored squares is simply addictively fun.
Want to get started right away?
👉 Then check out all the savings challenge cards from Vaye Amsterdam and create your own budget planner.