Community Finance

    What is Squirrellling?

    1 min read·Updated regularly
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    Squirrelling is the original financial concept: setting aside small amounts of money consistently — often as part of a community — to build financial stability. It draws on centuries-old traditions like Susu in West Africa and Tandas in Mexico. When you do it through the Squirrelll.ing platform, we call it Squirrellling.

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    Related topic
    How can I save money?

    The idea in one line

    Small amounts, saved daily, pooled with others, become something meaningful — for someone today, and for you another day.

    Squirrelling vs Squirrellling

    Squirrelling (two l's) is the original financial concept — the age-old habit of putting small amounts aside. Squirrellling (three l's) is what we call it when you practise that concept using the Squirrelll.ing platform, where it runs automatically in the background.

    Why it works

    Consistency beats magnitude. A tiny daily habit compounds into a real balance and, when combined with community, into shared safety nets. Traditional ROSCAs (Rotating Savings and Credit Associations) have used this logic for over a century across dozens of cultures.

    Squirrellling in the Squirrelll.ing app

    Inside the app, Squirrellling shows up as three features: the Daily Pool (community rotation), Savings Pods (personal goal-based auto-deposits), and the Impact Fund (automatic giving to organizations you choose). All are optional and all are built on the same idea: micro contributions, real outcomes.

    Key Takeaways

    • Squirrelling is the concept; Squirrellling is the concept practised on Squirrelll.ing.
    • Saving is a habit, not a heroic act.
    • Community rotation makes small savings meaningful faster.
    • Automation removes willpower from the loop.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Is Squirrellling the same as saving?

    It includes saving, but it also includes the community rotation aspect — everyone contributes, one person receives at a time.

    What is the difference between Squirrelling and Squirrellling?

    Squirrelling is the original financial concept of setting aside small amounts consistently. Squirrellling is that same concept done through the Squirrelll.ing platform.

    Do I need a lot of money to start?

    No. The whole point is that contributions are small enough to feel insignificant to any one person.

    References

    • Ardener, S. — The Comparative Study of Rotating Credit Associations
    • Thaler, R. — Nudge: Improving Decisions About Health, Wealth, and Happiness

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