What Is Revenge Saving?

Cara Bradley

Written by

Cara Bradley

5 min read

Updated: 21/01/2026


In the UK, 62% of adults aged between 25 and 34 would consider using a social media savings challenge, such as revenge saving, to boost their finances.
What is revenge saving?
How does revenge saving work?
Are there any downsides to revenge saving?
If you’re wondering whether revenge saving might be a possibility for you or you’d simply like to find out more, this guide is for you.

a clear plant pot filled with money. It has a small plant growing out of the top

What is revenge saving?

Revenge saving is a social media trend that first emerged in 2025 and involves cutting back on spending and saving a large proportion of your wage each month.

From job losses to increased household bills, during the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent cost-of-living crisis, many of us experienced – and continue to experience – financial insecurity. Understandably, these situations could create financial anxiety and lead to an increased emphasis on saving.
Revenge saving puts you in control and enables you to confidently build a buffer against potential unexpected financial situations, such as a redundancy.
However, there could be disadvantages to taking such drastic measures when it comes to saving money, and we’ll explore these in more detail further down the page.

How does revenge saving work?

Here’s an example of how revenge saving might work. Please note that these figures are for illustrative purposes only.

  • You have a monthly income of £1,800 after deductions.
  • Your essential monthly outgoings, including housing, bills, food, and any commuting costs, total £1,300.
  • Your disposable income is £500.
  • You put £450 of this away in savings, leaving you with £50 for the month to spend on ‘nice to haves’, such as leisure activities, clothes, and games.

A more extreme case of revenge saving could mean that you save even more, or even all of, your disposable income.

Why is it called revenge saving?

Once the COVID-19 lockdown eased, a movement dubbed ‘revenge spending’ appeared. Revenge spending saw people heading out to reopened shops and restaurants to spend the money they’d been able to save during lockdown.
Put simply, revenge saving is the opposite of revenge spending. Instead of encouraging spending, it focuses on strict saving activity with an aim of financial resilience.

What’s the difference between revenge saving and ‘normal’ saving?

If ‘normal’ saving is a marathon, then revenge saving is more of a sprint, and is typically a lot stricter than regular saving.

Please note that there’s no right or wrong way to save money. Everyone’s financial situations are unique, and there’s no harm in exploring different methods to find the one that best suits you.

Revenge saving: what’s good about it?

  • Revenge saving could encourage financial discipline and help you become more mindful of your spending.
  • You may find ways to reduce your monthly outgoings and increase your disposable income.
  • Saving money could improve your financial confidence.
  • Pledging to be so dedicated to putting money aside could help you reach your savings goals faster.
  • A savings pot, regardless of how much you contribute to it every month, is a great safety net to have in case of a financial emergency, such as a broken boiler, and could prevent you from having to apply for credit.

What are the potential downsides of revenge saving?

  • Be careful that revenge saving doesn’t become a source of stress. If, one month, you’re not able to save as much as you usually would due to an expected expense, take the time to closely watch your reaction. If you’re left with negative feelings such as anxiety or guilt, it may be a sign that revenge saving is creating unnecessary pressure.
  • Saving money is important, but so is enjoying your life. If revenge saving has resulted in you missing out on social and leisure activities, it might be an idea to consider reducing the amount of money you’re putting away each month. It’s all about balance.

Is revenge saving worth it?

Like anything, it’s crucial to remember that what works well for one person might not be suitable for another, and whether revenge saving is ‘worth it’ is something only you can decide based on your personal circumstances.
If you have the scope to, there’s no harm in trying revenge saving to see whether it could be a good financial fit. If it’s not quite right, don’t beat yourself up about it - there are plenty of other saving challenges that might be better suited to you.

How much money should I save each month?

This is another question that does not have a one-size-fits-all answer.
The amount of money you choose to save each month can only be decided by you. As a general rule, you should only save what you can afford to. There’s no point putting hundreds of pounds a month in a separate savings account if you’re then unable to pay for necessities.
Setting a budget at the beginning of each month is a great way to map out your money for the weeks ahead and see exactly how much you can realistically afford to save.

While following social media movements, including financial trends, could be helpful, it’s also important to consider your own reality – and take everything you see with a pinch of salt! Social media can be a smoke screen of finely tuned ‘perfection’, and it goes without saying that much of what we see is edited, exaggerated, or even entirely fake.

Avoid comparing your financial situation to other people’s; it’s a thankless task. Stay in your own lane and make financial decisions based on your personal circumstances.

Where can I get help with money?

Are you worried about your financial situation? Looking for impartial, confidential money advice? Please consider getting in touch with any of the following charities and organisations: StepChange, MoneyHelper, Citizens Advice, and National Debtline.