II: The Deranged Writer’s Money Challenge (2023)

For the past few years, I tried to keep up with money challenges. I tried to save up to PHP 1,000 in the first week, 2,000 in the second week, and so on until I failed. I tried to save up to PHP 500, then 1,000, and 1,500, but I also failed. I tried saving up 1s, 5s, 10s, and 20s over the past few years… and that is going well so far. But I lost track of how many coins I earned.

So, this 2023, instead of following other people’s money challenges, I decided to create my own. It’s simple: in a month, I make a deposit of PHP 1,000 times the month’s number.

For example, I deposited PHP 1,000 in January, the first month of the year (1 x PHP 1,000). Then I deposited PHP 2,000 in February, the second month of the year (2 x PHP 1000). And then in March, I’m required to deposit PHP 3,000 (3 x PHP 1,000), but I would like to go beyond that. So, instead of PHP 3,000, I will deposit PHP 4,000. The challenge continues until December, when I’m required to deposit PHP 12,000 (12 x PHP 1,000). If I keep up until the end of the year, I will have a minimum total of PHP 78,000.

With a minimum deposit, I can slowly save up while also setting aside money for splurges. (Though that doesn’t mean I should always splurge.) As the year progresses, I will sell pre-loved items, do some freelance work, and find a more stable day job so I can save more and keep up with the challenge.

Here is my money challenge table for reference. If you want to join the challenge, please let me know in the comments section below or on my socials. (Here are my Facebook, Instagram, and X [formerly Twitter].)

Month x PHP 1,000	Minimum Deposit
January (1 x PHP 1,000)	PHP 1,000
February (2 x PHP 1,000)	PHP 2,000
March (3 x PHP 1,000)	PHP 3,000
April (4 x PHP 1,000)	PHP 4,000
May (5 x PHP 1,000)	PHP 5,000
June (6 x PHP 1,000)	PHP 6,000
July (7 x PHP 1,000)	PHP 7,000
August (8 x PHP 1,000)	PHP 8,000
September (9 x PHP 1,000)	PHP 9,000
October (10 x PHP 1,000)	PHP 10,000
November (11 x PHP 1,000)	PHP 11,000
December (12 x PHP 1,000)	PHP 12,000
Total	PHP 78,000

Wish me luck and happy saving, everyone!

Ω

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Header image: Angie Reyes of Pexels. Edited in Adobe Photoshop 2022.

Updated on January 30, 2026.