Growing our coppers..

I’ve been trying to teach Boo about saving, at age 3 he understands that you need money to buy things and that you work to get money, but he doesn’t quite grasp that you don’t instantly get enough money for whatever it is that you might want (wouldn’t it be nice if you did?!).


To aid the teaching process we’ve started giving him any copper coins we have, and he puts them in his money box! Every month we empty the coins out and count them, if he has a whole pound we bag them up and take them into the bank with him, so he gets used to the idea of handing the money over and seeing his account updated. 

While this money isn’t a huge amount, it is slowly adding up and we talk about what he might spend it on when there is enough. So far he’s suggested everything from toys to a car, but he’s quite content to let it grow at the moment.

Simple things we do to save our pennies: 

• I try to buy second-hand where I can, preloved clothes and toys save us a fortune and often allow the children to be super stylish without the designer price tag! Ebay and charity shops are great, but don’t forget carboot sales – and don’t be afraid to haggle!

• Ask for a discount! I was recently purchasing a kitchen item but the store had just (in front of me!) placed the last one on display, I asked if they’d reduce it and they gave me 10% off an item I was going to buy anyway!  If you don’t ask you won’t get! 

• Days out – we try to plan in advance so we can utilise special offers, there are often 2 for 1 entry offers on. Taking snacks with us on days out saves a small fortune and allows us the chance to treat the boys to an ice-cream instead!

• Getting Boo to help with the shopping list and talking to him as we shop about which is best value for us helps him and ensures we save some extra pennies too!

 This is our entry for the BritMums Piggy Bank Tales competition, sponsored by Virgin Money.