I don’t remember having a piggy bank growing up. I never had an allowance, so my first encounters with money were during a fifth-grade field trip to a miniature town called Enterprise Village where I spent a day “working” as a bookkeeper. (PS, worst job ever for me. I can’t really add.)
Money Savvy Generation is a website that helps parents teach kids about money. And I know what you’re thinking. Money? Seriously? Do we have to teach our little kids about money on top of stranger danger and not running into the road and not throwing food at restaurants?
For me, the main appeal of teaching kids about money is using that lesson to teach generosity and global awareness. My son is three, and he’s very focused on presents and toys and “I WANT!” Money Savvy Generation was founded by a mom. You can check out Susan’s blog for additional tips on teaching kids about money.
The Money Savvy Generation team sent me a Money Savvy pig to check out. The Money Savvy Pig has genuinely helped me teach my son that in addition to collecting cars, life is also about giving and sharing. Once in a while if he does a great job cleaning or behaves very well, we give him a nickel or dime to stick in the Pig. Each time, we explain what the four chamber are for.
“This is for saving to buy yourself a toy soon.”
“This is for saving to buy something later.
“This is for giving a toy or present to someone else.”
“This is for going to school when you’re bigger.”
He picks a different chamber each time. For now, that might be because he’s kind of OCD and wants them all to be filled evenly. But I hope that as he matures he continues to think about where he wants his tiny allowance to go.
The bank itself is made of plastic. You can add your own eyes and stickers with a little kit that comes with it. It isn’t the prettiest contraption ever. (Obviously not a ceramic heirloom bank.) But for less than $20, I think it’s a reasonable investment in your child’s understanding of budgeting and generosity.
You can pick up the Money Savvy Pig at Money Savvy Generation or our affiliate, Amazon.com.
About the author: Maria is surrounded by boys. She gets all aflutter when she finds good deals, new episodes of Gossip Girl, and big bold bottles of red wine. Read more from this author.No related posts.
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