Spring into Savings
In some parts of the world, Easter time marks the start of Spring. So I thought I’ll play around with the Spring theme. This week, April 9-15, I have some ideas and projects we can try out that will help perk up the spirit.
Today our topic is “Spring into Savings” and our project is “Paint Your Own Piggy Bank”.
What does Spring mean?
I thought it’ll be fitting to emphasize definition #2 provided by ARD (an online dictionary): “to dart; to shoot”. Our topic is about aiming to save and shooting money through a hole – that of the piggy bank. So, this definition is just perfect.
The History of the Piggy Bank
Source:piggybankpage-UK
The true history of the Piggy Bank is still somewhat uncertain but there appears to be a consensus that it derives its name from the orange clay, “pygg” from which it was originally made. In the Middle Ages people used to store items such as salt in wide necked jars which were made from a clay called “pygg”. The so called “pig” jar retained its name long after potters stopped using “pygg” clay to produce pottery.
Money also used to be kept in the jars and in England, by the turn of the eighteen century, the jars had acquired the name of “pig banks”, from where followed the name “piggy bank.” These piggy banks were ceramic and had no hole in the bottom, so the pig had to be broken to get the money out.
Another theory is that the piggy bank acquired its name because it was fed the scraps and leftovers of ones small change until it was fat enough to be smashed, and the savings retrieved.
Whilst in Western Europe these first piggy banks are thought to originate between the sixteenth and eighteenth centuries as a replacement for the clay jars, a somewhat earlier piggy bank from Bali is thought to be able to be dated back some 1500 years!
To this day in some European countries, notably the Netherlands and German speaking countries, it is customary to give piggy banks as gifts because the belief is still held that pigs bring luck and good fortune. At New Year so-called “Lucky Pigs” are still exchanged as gifts. Children are still given piggy banks as birthday or Christmas presents to help encourage saving.
Painting Your Own Piggy Bank
You’ll Need:
ceramic piggy bank
(i got mine from ARTFRIEND)
pencil/black fine sharpie
acrylic paint
brushes
dimensional craft paint
(like Puffy)
Step 1
Draw an outline of your design
on your ceramic piggy bank.
Step 2
Paint using acrylics. Add details using
dimensional craft paint.
Step 3
Spray with clear lacquer spray
in a well ventilated area.
Dry completely.
Step 4
Start saving!
OINK!OINK!
-Thomas Jefferson
“My problem lies in reconciling
my gross habits with my net income.”
-Errol Flynn
“The safest way to double your money
is to fold it over once and put it in your pocket.”
-Kin Hubbard
“There is a certain Buddhistic calm
that comes from having money in the bank.”
-Tim Robbins
“Today, there are three kinds of people:
the have’s, the have-not’s,
and the have-not-paid-for-what-they-have’s.”
-Earl Wilson
Recommended Readings:
Simplify, spend less, and give more! Ellie Kay, America’s Family Financial Expert®, knows how to painlessly save big bucks each week-and have a bounty to share. With her signature humor and practical creativity, she reveals simple ways to save money every day. – Spend less on everything from canned corn to cars – Pay down your bills and stay debt free – Find great deals on the Internet – Teach your children money-smart lessons – Buy better gifts without breaking your budget – Extend the life of clothing, furniture, and other necessities – Bless others by sharing your newfound riches Ellie Kay, America’s Family Financial Expert®, is the author of several books on personal finance, including A Woman’s Guide to Family Finances; Shop, Save, and Share; and Heroes at Home.
(Text from Back Cover)
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“Debt-free Forever” by Gail Vaz-Oxlade
A must read for anyone who wants
to start the road to savings and a debt-free life
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“Debt-Free Forever” provides a detailed road map to getting out of the red in 36 months or less. Guided by the author’s advice and inspired by her unflagging faith in their ability to take control, readers will be well on their way to a debt-free life.
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