Piggy Banks for Children
Why are piggy banks so popular, because it is one of a person’s fondest memories when the received their first bank, and started saving their pennies, at a very young age? Even at a preschool age, it can give a child a boost in confidence knowing that they are being responsible with their like mommy and daddy (hopefully anyway). Fifty years ago for some reason, the makers of the ceramic piggy banks did not put a hole in the bottom to let the money out. There were only two options, using a butter knife on the coin slot while the pig was inverted to catch the coins and let them fall out one by one, or put a towel over the poor little piggy, and smack it with a hammer.
When a child graduates to earning a household allowance for chores, they have a safe place to put their hard earned currency, and will from time to time empty it on the bedspread to get a current balance from the first national bank of pork. Having saved religiously for months for that new game cartridge or skateboard, they will find it hard to let go of their earnings as it took them so long to reach their goal. That hollow feeling of not having Mr. or Mrs. Piggy stuffed full of loot will not give them that feeling of confidence they once had.
Who knew a little cartoon-ish ceramic or plastic pig would teach such life lessons to a child? If that savings stability grows with the child, soon they will uses their piggy bank for temporary storage of funds, and when full they can have mom or dad open a pass book savings account at their bank to start saving for a car, or college for when they are older. Not all children will want to do this, and will waste whatever funds they get on things like candy and soft drinks. Nevertheless, there will always be a candidate for being frugal and financially conscious from an early age, which will carry them to having a successful adult life.
So when the time is right, usually about the age of three or older, go shopping with your child for piggy banks and start teaching the joy and security that saving money can offer them in the future. You can usually get a free one at your local bank with their commercial propaganda written on the side of the little piggy. Alternatively, you can go extravagant and get a personalized piggy bank with their name inscribed on the side.