Growing Green Savings Challenge: Build Your 2026 Budget!

January 20, 2026

Week 3 of the Growing Green Challenge is all about building a budget that works for you. Whether you started a new job, got a raise, or are just planning for the year, revising your budget is a great way to start and have a clear path! A good budget isn’t about restriction; it’s about clarity and control and seeing where your money is really going. When you know where your money goes, you can make choices that support your goals, reduce stress, and help you save more.

Why Budgeting Matters

Budgeting gives you a roadmap for your money. It helps you stay on track with bills and savings goals, avoid surprises like overdraft fees or missed payments, and feel confident about where your money is going!

Step 1: Know Your Income and Expenses

Start by listing your monthly income and fixed expenses (rent, utilities, loan payments). Then, look at variable expenses like groceries, dining, and entertainment.

Step 2: Use Tools to Make It Easy

Your SFCU Mobile App has a section in Card Controls/Card Hub called Spend Insight, a powerful feature that helps you identify spending habits. It shows what, where, and when transactions occur and even flags recurring payments and subscriptions. Use this insight to your advantage by pairing it with the Controls section in your app:

Set Alerts for certain transactions or spending limits.
Manage Controls like:
- Locations – Define where your card can be used.
- Merchant Types – Restrict categories like gas stations or department stores.
- Transaction Types – Control in-store, online, or ATM transactions.
- Spend Limits – Set maximum amounts per transaction.

These tools give you real control over your money and help you stick to your budget.

Step 3: Spot the Leaks

Small drips like unused subscriptions or impulse buys add up. Cutting just one $3 expense this week meets your Week 3 goal.

Step 4: Apply the 50/30/20 Rule

GreenPath recommends this simple formula to build your budget: 50% Needs (housing, utilities, groceries) 30% Wants (dining, entertainment) 20% Savings & Debt Repayment (Retirement, emergency fund, etc.)

Action Step for Week 3. Take 30 minutes today to review your spending and transfer $3 into savings. Fill in your Growing Green Tracker and celebrate your progress!

➡️Find out all about SFCU’s 2026 Growing Green Savings Challenge here!

Information from this article is shared by our partners at GreenPath Financial Wellness, a trusted national non-profit.