We have all been there. Mom and dad give us money and we can’t wait to spend it. This delirium induced by cash is no different with kids today. The temptation to purchase the latest electronic device and video games override the desire to save money. All that glorious green collected from birthdays, holidays and allowances is invested in objects instead of a future. Getting kids to save money is like trying to get them to clean their room – impossible. Parents have to come up with sneaky ways to get their kids to save money, ways that involve allowing kids to keep some of the money while saving some, too.
Glass Block
Piggy banks do not need to be shaped like little pigs. Glass block, typically used for residential or commercial windows, make ideal piggy banks. Glass blocks are durable and unique. There are various sizes and shapes available at reasonable prices. Keep in mind the bigger the block equals more money inside. Glass block banks can be purchased at craft shows and through piggy bank dealers.
What is so sneaky about a glass block bank? By allowing kids to choose their own glass block they can then personalize it with different colors or paint. When something is personalized, there begins a sentimental attachment and the item tends to be taken care of. Also, it is difficult to remove money from a glass block bank due to the fact that there is only a slit large enough to put in coins or folded money.
10% Trade Off
There are moments when it seems that kids have more money than adults. Of course, kids aren’t burdened with monthly bills. Because they have no bills, kids believe they can spend their money on anything. Instead of being an overbearing parent and requesting they relinquish all of their dough, take a small portion of the money, about 10%. The sneaky trick to this is leaving money for them to spend while taking money to save.
The money from this approach can be stored in a glass block.
Bank on It
There will come a time when the glass block bank will no longer accept any more money because it is stuffed full. Now would be a good time to put that money into a savings account. Of course, this would mean the destruction of the glass block but the pain of watching it get demolished will not equal the joy of realizing that hundreds of dollars have been saved.
This sneaky maneuver of breaking the glass block bank and placing the money in a savings account is another way to keep kids from being tempted to take the money. It would be impossible since the money will be kept safely in a bank and out of their sight.
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