Financial Health Solutions: Boost Savings with Challenges and Empowering Messages
How can competitions influence more people to build their savings? SaverLife, a nonprofit focused on helping working families to save and invest in their futures, partnered with the Financial Health Leaders Lab to test several approaches.
The Race to $500 increased the number of people who saved during the competition by 6% and increased average savings deposits by 31%, or $451, over six months.
Empowering text messages increased savings deposits by 53% and increased savings balances by an additional $950 over six months.
Comparing users’ savings with their peers did not influence savings behavior during the study, but could create a positive impact over a longer timeframe.
Data Spotlight
Having access to the Race to $500 and empowering messaging resulted in higher savings deposits after six months.
Our Supporters
This report is made possible through the generous support of MetLife Foundation, a founding sponsor of our financial health work.
About The Financial Health Leaders Lab
The Financial Health Network helps companies incorporate behavioral science principles into their product design and rigorously test the financial health impact of their products. This research was conducted through the Financial Health Leaders Lab, a program available exclusively to Financial Health Network Members, which supports a select group of companies developing and testing innovations to improve financial health.
Written by
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Senior Director, Behavioral EconomicsFinancial Health Network -
Manager, Policy and ResearchFinancial Health Network
Financial Health Solutions: Boost Savings with Challenges and Empowering Messages
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