Using a change jar can help you save quite a bit of money. It is an easy way to save, because it does not require an extra trip to the bank, and it is a great visual reminder and motivator while you watch it continue to grow.
A change jar is not necessarily a jar, however, and can be created out of anything that can hold large amounts of money. I have seen people use coffee canisters, milk or juice jugs, bulk pretzel containers, Pringle cans, and buckets. You can use whatever you want. We use an old water cooler jug.
So where does the change come from, that goes into these jars? For most people, it’s the change they empty out of their pockets or purses, at the end of the day. However, there are several other ways to save a little extra change.
Do what I do, and when you use a coupon, drop the savings into the jar. For instance, if you use a .30 off coupon to purchase fruit snacks for your children, drop three dimes into the canister. Do this with each coupon, and you will quickly watch your savings grow.
Skip a soda from the gas station, or coffee from a coffee shop and drop the savings into your jar. You can do this with many other items too. Skip a trip to the local pool and use the sprinkler, or if you have a coupon for a free admission to somewhere, drop that savings into your change jar.
Found change works just as well. My children have an obsession with checking under video game machines for change, wathcing parking lots and floors of stores, too. They bring it home and drop it in the family jar, because even they can see what can happen from saving that money.
Speaking of children, if they get an allowance of some type, and you plan to use your savings for a family event or vacation or item, encourage them to drop a portion of their allowance into the change jar. Even if it was .50 a week that they could afford to drop in, the savings can add up fast. Four months, of saving just .50 a week, is approximately an extra $8.00 in the jar.
Remember that saving this way, is a great way to motivate the whole family, as they visually watch the money grow. Have fun with your savings!
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