Feature Article: The Symbol of the Money Jar

Cover of The Money Jar

The Symbol Of The Money Jar

A lot of people use a money jar to collect all of their change in one place, but how many of them set up specific goals for that money jar? How many of them have a routine for putting money into the jar? Sure, many people might use the money jar when it’s full to do something fun, but more often than not, the decision is made at the last minute or on a whim. Likewise, many people just gather loose change and toss it in there whenever they happen to walk by. But both of those ways of thinking about the money jar don’t fully take advantage of it as both a symbol of your frugal ways and a special kind of fund, however small, that you can one day use.

What’s It For?

Your money jar can be used for many different things. You can have it be for a nice dinner to treat yourself for living a frugal life style. You can use it as a way to collect money to deposit in your emergency fund. You can use it to save up for a vacation or a gift for someone. The point is that you should set specific goals for your money jar, just as you would for other financial projects you have. By having these goals, you’ll be more inclined to appreciate the symbolism of the money jar, as it will show you how much you can save just in your daily routine.

How Do You Fill It?

Instead of just tossing in coins whenever you can, consider having a routine of filling the jar. I understand a money jar’s main purpose is to just collect random coins, but think of other possibilities that you could tie into the purpose of the jar. For example, if you want the jar to serve as a treat for you to have a nice dinner after a period of frugal living, then, perhaps, anytime you use cash to buy off-brand groceries, take the leftover change and put it in the jar. The connection between your sacrifice and the eventual treat is vital for rewarding good habits. Likewise, if you want to use the jar to help pay a bill, then any time you make a purchase on something for your house or car, you could take the leftover change and put it in the jar. That way, you connect the daily activity of caring for your property to the long-term bills you must pay.

How Often Do You Empty It?

This will be determined by the size of the jar you fill, the way you fill it, and how often you add to it. The more you empty the jar, the more you will be accessing that leftover change. A jar that you dip into often could become more of a resource to rely on. This could take some of the fun out of it, but it also can let you use that leftover change to help with more immediate concerns. If you wait longer, though, then the cracking of the jar becomes a kind of ceremony. However you choose to use the money jar, you’ll be thrilled with how it comes to symbolize the discipline you have in your own financial routine.

By-line:

This guest post is contributed by Kate Willson, who writes on the topics of top online colleges.  She welcomes your comments at her email Id: katewillson2@gmail.com.