I’m always surprised at the amount of loose change my kids find laying around. They’re masters at spotting dropped change in parking lots, coins left in return change slots on pop machines, nickels wedged into park benches, etc…
I suppose they come by it honestly. I remember being 16 years old, searching the couch cushions for loose change to put a few gallons of gas in my car — you know, back when gas was like $0.89 a gallon.
These days spare change doesn’t go nearly as far when filling up your gas tank, but that doesn’t mean that we should just cast it aside. Those pennies and dimes still add up to dollars over time!
A couple of years ago we decided, as a family, to save all of our loose change. I set out a mason jar in the kitchen, which was quickly filled to overflowing. So I purchased a vintage glass water jug off of One Kings Lane, and now it sits in our entryway where it’s easy for each family member to drop in their contributions.
Oh, we’re a loooonnnngg way from filling it up, but we definitely have a goal in mind…. These days my kids like to show it off to their friends and tell them it’s our “Hawaii fund.” I honestly don’t even know if our jug can hold enough change to pay for our family of 7 to take a trip to Hawaii, but by the time we (hopefully) fill it up, all of our kids should be old enough to fully enjoy and cherish the memories of such a trip.
In the meantime, I’m enjoying watching my kids delight in checking the rising level of our saved pennies (and nickels, dimes and quarters), knowing that they’re learning how to make a conscious decision to save.
What is your family saving for? Share in the comments and you could win a Kleenex Brand prize package valued at $50!
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This post is brought to you by Kimberly-Clark. All opinions are 100% mine.
Andrea Williams
We are saving for a trip we have coming up in February.
Christina Foley
I am saving for the holidays… and hopefully a trip to visit my new nephew
Janet Bowen
I am paying my student loans from a midlife career change!
Carol W
To help with Christmas gifts and birthday gifts in December (we have 7 birthday’s and my parents anniversary all between Dec. 12 & Dec. 27).
Erika
I’m saving my pennies for a new car! We need one bad!
Katy P
I am saving for a freezer!
Elle
I save pennies for a family vacation.
Tara
We’d love to take a nice family vacation one of these summers! :)
Cassie
hey we’re saving for a trip to hawaii too! that’s where my husband’s parents live / he grew up
Michaela
I’m saving our change to replace the 15 year old carpet on the main floor and stairs of our house and also the 36 year old carpeting that’s in the master bedroom.
Jana
Saving for a vacation
Jacqueline in Atlanta
We are saving to go to Europe. Like your Hawaii trip, that’s a lotta found change!
laura v
saving for a driveway. For my mom she is handicapped and the driveway and sidewalk are in bad condition.
Melissa
I’m going to be traveling for Thanksgiving, so I’m saving for all those costs.
Noreen
Christmas gifts
Nicole Millheim
A trip to Disney in the Fall
shirley nan
I save my coins to splurge on my grandkids.
beth
Every penny helps!
Nicole
I am saving my pennies for a new car, I hope to get a more eco friendly car soon!
Shawnda
We’re saving for a family vacation next summer!
shelleyb
I’m saving my pennies for new floors. Our home has worn carpet. I’d love to have some type of hard surface wood or tille.
Kim S.
We save change and I have my two adopted kids go buy something for their sisters, to teach them to think of others at Christmas.
Leah Craig
We are saving for a trip to Disney and also would like to take a trip to Hawaii!!
Melanie
We are saving for vacation :)
Michelle
Vacation
Jane
Car
Sophie
New furniture
Norb
Vacation
Scott
Vacation
Amy
Disney World!