New NAB data shows Aussies are locking in their budgets early, with the average Christmas savings goal sitting at $2,375 - down from around $4,000 last year - as many look to celebrate without the financial hangover.
19.12.2025 | 2 min read
09.01.2026
As Australians kick off the new year, NAB banker and personal trainer Chris Parker says the secret to smashing savings goals is a lot like getting fit: consistency over intensity is key.
“People think saving means big sacrifices, but it works just like training - small, repeatable actions make the biggest difference,” Chris said.
"Training at the gym teaches you to be patient, and saving money is exactly the same. You don’t need to turn your whole life upside down to see results - just start with small habits, stick with them, and you’ll see your financial fitness improve over time.”
“Once people set a savings goal, hardly anyone changes it. Fewer than five per cent adjust it. That tells us that once the routine begins, the habit sticks. It’s like locking in your gym program, once you start, you don’t want to break your streak.”
NAB’s latest insights back this up:
- The average monthly savings target is $1,770.
- Nearly one in three customers who set a goal reach it—often in just 23 days.
- The top savings goals include: holidays (18%), cars (13%), personal items (12%), future security (11%), home (10%), and emergency funds (10%).
NAB Banker and personal trainer Chris Parker
So, how do you build your savings “muscles”? Chris shares his trainer’s guide:
1. Start small - really small
“In the gym, you don’t start with a 100kg squat. You begin with bodyweight or light weights. Saving works the same way. Start with $5 or $10 a week — the point is simply to begin.”
2. Build a routine your body recognises
“Progress happens when your body gets used to a rhythm. Savings work the same way. When you transfer money on the same day or at the same time, it becomes automatic. Your brain stops negotiating with you, and the habit sticks.”
3. Make it personal
“People commit when something matters to them emotionally. Name your savings goal — ‘Byron trip’, ‘New wheels’, ‘Fix the bathroom’ — so it feels real and motivating.”
4. Track progress visually
“In training, seeing yourself lift a little heavier or run a little further is incredibly motivating. With money, watching your savings grow gives you that same sense of progress. It’s proof that your small steps are adding up.”
5. Give yourself grace
“You miss a workout. You overspend one week. It happens. Reset and go again. The people who succeed aren’t perfect, they’re consistent.”
Tools to help Australians stay on track
And if you want to make it even easier, NAB’s Spaces feature lets you split your savings in the one account across different “pockets” for each goal - so you can see exactly how you’re tracking and stay motivated.
You can also explore NAB's range of savings accounts, opens in new window to help get you started.
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