Four-week savings challenge for nurses
Ready to kick-start your savings journey?
Our 4-week savings challenge is designed to help you practice mindful spending and build habits that help you take control of your finances and fast-track your savings.
Whether it’s a holiday, house deposit or growing your emergency fund, this guide has actionable tips to get you there. Involve friends or colleagues to keep yourself accountable and make the challenge more rewarding!
Day 1
Track your spending. Review your past month’s expenses. Identify one unnecessary cost to cut, like streaming services or takeout. Redirect the savings to your goal.
Day 3
Meal prep for shifts. Plan and prep meals for your upcoming workdays. Save and transfer the average cost of one meal you’d otherwise buy ($10–$15).
Day 5
Check for salary packaging benefits. If your employer offers salary packaging, see how you can save on rent, mortgage, or bills. Redirect the extra take-home pay toward your goal.
Day 7
Sell unused items. Find at least three items you no longer need (e.g., old scrubs, event dresses). Sell these online or take them to a consignment store – every dollar counts! Transfer profits to your savings.
Day 9
Transfer extra income. Got overtime or shift penalties this month? Transfer the difference from your regular pay into your savings.
Day 11
Reassess subscriptions. Cancel any subscriptions you no longer use (gym, streaming). Transfer one month’s worth of fees directly to your savings.
Day 13
Start a no-spend shift. Bring everything you need for a workday (coffee, snacks, meals) and avoid spending anything during your shift. Save what you would’ve spent.
Day 15
Reduce your bills. Call your phone, internet, or utility provider to negotiate a lower rate. Transfer the difference to your savings. Check staff benefits via your employer; they may offer special rates.
Day 17
Shift rewards jar. Save $5 after every long or particularly tough shift to create a habit of rewarding yourself financially.
Day 19
Take on a mini saving challenge. For example, try the “5-10-20” rule: save $5 today, $10 tomorrow, and $20 the next day. Repeat as feasible throughout the month.
Day 21
Group savings challenges. Organise a savings competition with work friends or your ward to keep each other motivated and accountable.
Day 23
Cash in your rewards. Use any rewards points you’ve accumulated to buy work essentials (e.g. scrubs) and save the equivalent amount in cash.
Day 25
Add “found money.” Deposit tax returns, refunds, or any unexpected windfalls directly into your savings.
Day 27
Celebrate your success! Let your friends and family know about your progress towards your saving goals.
Day 28
You’ve completed the four-week savings challenge. This is only the beginning, keep flexing your saving skills next month!
Are you a partner-employee?
Nurse care packs
The first 100 new partner members to open a transactional or online saver account receive a free nurse care pack*
Home loan discounts
As a partner-employee, you may be eligible for a home loan discount*
Promotional savings rates
Partner-employees get access to special rates for savings accounts*
*To qualify for Bank First partner offers you must be an employee of a Bank First Partner (St Vincent's, Alfred Health, Mercy Health, Southern Cross Care, St John of God Health Care) and the relevant, valid promotional code must be quoted at time of customer application.
This information is general in nature and does not consider your objectives, financial situation or needs. Credit applications are subject to approval. Terms and conditions, credit criteria, fees and charges apply. You should firstly consider the appropriateness of this information and refer to the Terms and Conditions, relevant Target Market Determination, or the relevant Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) before acquiring any product. These documents are available at our branches or by contacting us on 1300 654 822.