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How many of us actually bend down to pick up a penny from the floor? I admit I’ve been tempted to just leave it there because, after all, it’s just a penny. What am I going to do with just a penny, anyway? But then I remind myself that every penny adds up, and if I think of it as “just a penny,” then I have a really lousy attitude towards money in general.
I’m always thinking about ways to save up. One of the smartest things to do is to put something aside every week or every month, but sometimes that’s just not possible because your regular expenses don’t allow for it. That’s when it’s time to get creative. So… back to that penny on the floor… pick it up and put it in a jar! And the change you found in your pocket, or lying around in your car. Designate a jar, or a can, or a box- whichever type of container you prefer- you can even decorate it if you like, to make it special- and drop any change you find into it. You’d be surprised at how much you can accumulate in a short time!
This is a great way to save up for something specific- all your spare change goes to the cause. But you can save this way just for savings. Set goals for yourself to keep you motivated and to make it more exciting. Empty it once a month or every six months, or when you’ve accumulated a certain amount that you can then spend or bring to the bank.
You can involve the whole family, with everyone depositing found change in the same jar, or make it a private project, where each person has his or her own savings jar to spend or save the way each one wants. It’s a great way to teach kids the value and rewards of saving, patience, and accomplishment. So, the next time you walk away from “just a penny” lying on the floor, remember that pennies add up. Every penny does count!
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