We've all heard the term, "change is good." But, did you know that change is also a treasure trove just waiting to be rolled and cashed in at your local bank?
There have been times when I thought we were flat broke. I remember one time in particular... it was the day before we got our paycheck and we didn't even have enough gas to get down the road, let alone over the mountain for a family get together! I remember scrambling around trying to figure out how to find the money we needed to put a few bucks in the gas tank...then a light bulb went off in my big old head. Bling! The change jar. There it was, the old ball canning jar right in front of me, big as life and full of copper and silver. I dumped out that jar and by the time I got done swooshing the coins across the kitchen counter, I discovered that I not only had enough to put half a tank of gas in the car but enough for that much needed gallon of milk too!
We often overlook the fact that the change that may be lurking under cushions, thrown in jars, and scattered around the car are considered money! Let's face it...one hundred pennies and a dollar bill buy the same thing. Coins are just so cumbersome and sometimes we are even ashamed to plop a handful of change on the store counter to buy something!
Here's a great way to monopolize your coin reserve...
Put a nice sized container in your kitchen. Decorate it or write on it...whatever you want to do, but label it...Found Money and put what you're going to put the money towards underneath.
Get yourself and your family in the habit of putting any change they have in their pockets, purses, and wallets right into this container as soon as they get it. Go through the vehicles, overturn the couch cushions, and look all over the house for change and put it into the container. When it's full...do what you want with it. Maybe pay off a credit card bill, take the family out to dinner and a movie, purchase that set of pots and pans you've been longing for...or whatever you all decided that money was for.
Take turns with the money if you wish. Maybe your little one really wants a new scooter. Tell him or her that this jar of change is towards that purchase, and when it adds up to enough to make that purchase you can all roll it up, cash it at the bank and walk away with a new scooter. Same goes for hubby. So he wants to go golfing ay? Well, over the winter months, put.."golf fund" on the container. When you've acquired enough for the seasonal membership...he's off to golf.
Get the idea? The whole family is saving toward either something for all of you, or maybe for one specific request from a family member.
Another good thing to do is take one year and save that change... Roll it and fill again for one year. Start saving the week before Christmas. When the next year rolls around either take that money for the Christmas shopping or donate it to a local homeless shelter or charity of your choice.
Change is good...and I bet you'll never look at that noisy stuff that weighs down your purse and pockets the same way again!
About The Author: Erika is the editor of www.countryhomemaking.com. Visit her site for family favorite recipes, cooking and kitchen tips, articles and more! Erika also writes books and articles besides running her website on topics spanning, working from home, Christianity, and everyday issues to do with motherhood and keeping house.
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