Aug 9, 2009

CLOSED: Zillionz Digital Counting Money Jar Review and Giveaway (BTSC- Day 9)


The winner for the giveaway has been chosen by Random.org and is announced on this post.


Benjamin Franklin knew what he was talking about when he said "A penny saved is a penny earned" and in today's world of 'spend spend spend, live for today, tomorrow is another day" approach, saving sadly is a concept many people struggle with.

Sadly a few parents think saving starts once their child grows up and starts to work. MYTH! If you give your child everything he sets his eyes upon, you will be bringing up a spoilt child who has no value for money (ouch, that hurts but then that's the truth!) A saving habit needs to start young and you will realize the time you have spent teaching your child to save will only be an investment into his/her life.

Chris Hayman, the founder of Make More Cents feels that "saving money is a process, and if taught and encouraged at a young age, can be fun and lead to a life of financial security, even in today’s environment." Chris founded Make More Cents out of his childhood passion to save and strongly believes that every penny counts.

Chris acknowledges that saving is not easy (especially if you are trying to teach your child to save a penny that he wants to spend on a nice bag of candy.) and firmly propogates the fun way to do it......get him/her a Zillionz Digital Counting Money Jar!

This is such a neat product. Your struggles of having to count your pile of short change are over. Put a coin at a time into the jar and watch the little digital screen record each cent that goes in. The total value of coins in the jar stays displayed on the screen till you empty your jar and start the process all over again. (Honestly I think all stores should have one of these at their Customer Service counters. I pity the CSR's who have to count all those pennies when handed in!)

We told Bunny girl she could save all the coins in the jar to buy a Disney Princess anything when the jar was stocked with coins. She listened carefully and put in her first few coins and placed the jar on the dresser in her room. Later on that day I heard the jingle jangle of coins and went in to check what she was doing. There sat my little 'Savings Princess' on the carpet, with her Money jar in front of her and my bowl of laundry change next to the jar. There she was feeding all my precious laundry change into her growing pile of change in the jar! Oh well....I guess we need to wait till she is a little older to really understand the concept. ;>


Buy it:

I love that the Zillionz Money Jar is not an expensive product to buy for any child. At a reduced price of 9.95$ on the Make More Cents site, its an affordable gift that's educative and fun!


Win it:

One reader will get to own their very own Zillionz Money Jar


How to win it:


1. Mandatory entry (without this, all other entries will be disqualified)-

Visit Make More Cents blog, look around and leave me a comment on something new you've learnt from one of Chris' great money saving articles OR tell me your best money saving tip.

Additional BTSC entries:

- 2. Follow Make More Cents blog and leave a comment confirming the same.

- 3. Join Make More Cents on Facebook.and leave a comment confirming the same.

- 4. Subscribe to my blog (remember you need to activate the subscription if you subscribe via email) or Follow my blog & leave a comment stating that you subscribe or follow.

- 5. Blog about this giveaway (leave a comment with a link to your blog post)

- 6. Add the link to this giveaway on a Mr Linky on a blog giveaway site, forum, carnival. (leave a comment with the link)

-7. Snag my Blog button (the cute little bunny on the right!) and leave a comment with the link

- 8. Snag the Back to School Carnival button (the cute little bunny on the left!) and leave a comment with the link


This giveaway is open to US residents, 18 years and above.

1 winner will be chosen with the random.org generator on August 29 2009 at 10 pm Central time, so enter before that. The winner's name will be posted thereafter. Please note if the winner does not get back to me 48 hours after his/her name has been posted, I will pick a new winner.

158 comments:

  1. I learned this neat tip from a blog reader: “For my younger children I always pay their allowance in small change. If I give them dollars they would want to spend it faster but with small change they tend to hold on to it longer and they get so excited when they shake their banks thinking with all that change they are rich.”

    I'll have to try that. ;-)

    mfalcon13@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  2. I subscribe to your blog via email.

    mfalcon13@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  3. I learned that the $ emerged in the late 1700's.

    Nancy
    allibrary (at) aol (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  4. I subscribed to the Make More Cents blog.

    Nancy
    allibrary (at) aol (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  5. I subscribe to your blog via e-mail.

    Nancy
    allibrary (at) aol (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  6. oooh I totally love that jar. I liked how he said that entertainment costs can be curbed by simply cutting back... it's more important the TIME spent together.
    we've had to do a lot of that.
    We enjoy the drive in movies in stead of the theater. We can ALL go. and it's totally cheaper.. and adds a whole bunch of nostalgia to the whole outing. :)

    d

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  7. My best tip is to save all change, even pennies! Also, use coupons! I've been wanting one of these!

    jls_wss2003 at yahoo dot com

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  8. I subscribe!

    jls_wss2003 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  9. My best money saving tip involves using coupons and shopping when items are on sale.
    letessha@yahoo.com

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  10. My tip is to budget, budget, budget! This is something you can teach your children while they're very young with their piggy bank as well!
    amymccathran(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  11. Follower
    amymccathran(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  12. Interesting site, I liked the article about Coupons and ROAK. I never knew about places to give away coupons.

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  13. This was a tip on her blog - When my children play office, they keep a ledger with the money they have, what they spend and how much they have left. It not only helps teach accounting basics, it also helps teach them the value of money. Thanks to Shelli.

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  14. my tip would be to use the dollar store for small items. if your child wants a toy, maybe go there and get a little doll or coloring book to celebrate something but it won't break the bank.

    -lauren
    lauren51990 AT aol DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  15. i subscribe to your blog as well

    -lauren

    lauren51990 AT aol DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  16. I learned that the $ symbol dates back to late 1700's when Spanish pesos were used in the colonies. "ps" was the abbreviation for peso but over time the "s" was written over the "p" and the dollar sign $ came about.
    vinter@warwick.net

    ReplyDelete
  17. My best money saving tip is "don't buy it if you don't need it-seriously think of every purchase before you make it and use a coupon if possible."

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  18. (Comment deleted erroneously, thus re-entered): Throuthehaze-
    my tip is to use coupons and buy things when they are on sale
    throuthehaze at gmail dot com

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  19. (Comment deleted erroneously, thus re-entered): Throuthehaze- follower

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  20. (Comment deleted erroneously, thus re-entered):Laurie-

    My best money saving tip is to stockpile when you can get items for super cheap or free. It takes a while to build up a good one, but it's so worth it.

    lauriemac982 at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  21. My best money-saving tip has been our change jar. I set it up so that as soon as I get home I throw all my change in it. I put all of my nickels and pennies into my sons bank and all the quarters and dimes into our big jars. If I've got a few bills left on payday, I usually dump those in there too. The savings really starts to add up, and it makes me feel good to be able to see it happening.
    Thanks for the giveaway!
    Christy
    sheridesthatbigredhonda@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  22. email subscriber and follower on blogger
    vinter@warwick.net

    ReplyDelete
  23. my tip is coupons - and email subscriptions for more coupons....

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  24. I learned that age 6, parents should start teaching their children about allowances, teaching charity, discipline and goal-setting.
    jamielz@verizon.net

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  25. From 6 to 10 years old you can get them to help with coupons What a great idea!

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  26. I like this line.When teaching money management skills to our kids, we should be more pragmatic and help them understand that a rainy day fund is a necessity, not a nice to have.
    Trust me I know that statement all too well. Because I was diagnosed with a health issue and it was only because I saved that things are not as bad as they could have been had I not.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Use shopping trips and coupon clipping as opportunities to talk to your kids about finances.

    That statement is great for me with my older kids. I shop a lot without them, but the next time they go, I'm going to make extra time to go over things with them.

    bettinawellmaker at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  28. Use coupons and discount codes!

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  29. I have your party button up.

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  30. I like the tip to "Introduce the concept of “needs vs. wants.” Talk with your kids about prioritizing the things they need versus things they would like to have," but I'm not sure if my three year old will understand the difference. To her, everything is a need even if it's just a want!

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  31. My best strategy for saving money - Wait 24-48 hours before purchasing the item. If I really really need it and still want it 2 or 3 days later than I get it. I sometimes find that I really didn't need it.

    Thanks

    bsyb100 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  32. Cool! I just learned the origin of the dollar sign, here: http://makemorecents.wordpress.com/2009/07/17/the-dollar-and-cent-%c2%a2-signs/

    I always wondered.

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  33. FB fan of Make More Cents. facebook.com/spoodles

    ReplyDelete
  34. Tip - start teaching kids about money as soon as they shoe interest -kinda like potty training. ;)

    addeviant006 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  35. My best money saving tip is coupons. we cut them from the paper and print them online. we wait until the items are on sale and sometimes our local stores double coupons

    Christie
    dctm at bellsouth dot net

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  36. best money saving tip is to stop eating out!

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  37. follow them on facebook (alka pa)

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  38. My best money saving tip is to carpool with a neighbor whenever possible. My friend and I take turns going to the store in each others car.
    Zoe0825@verizon.net

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  39. Ages 3 - 5
    As they learn to count, teach them the difference between pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters. Playing “store” with children, using real change to buy things, is a fun way to teach them the value of the coins.
    My grandson turns 3 next month. This will be great for him.

    Thank you,

    Christine
    womackcm@sbcglobal.net

    ReplyDelete
  40. I subscribe via email.

    Thank you,

    Christine
    womackcm@sbcglobal.net

    ReplyDelete
  41. Introduce the concept of “needs vs. wants.” Talk with your kids about prioritizing the things they need versus things they would like to have.

    janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  42. Make More Cents Facebook Fan - Janet Fri

    janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  43. I follow your blog - janetfaye

    janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  44. I love the tip for ages 6-10 (where my own children fall) to Use shopping trips and coupon clipping as opportunities to talk to your kids about finances. We do that all the time...and my oldest daughter is actually the coupon clipper in our house! She's learned to clip only those products that we use!

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  45. I follow Make More Cents blog on Google!

    ReplyDelete
  46. I'm a Make More Cents facebook fan! (Annmarie DIpasqua Weeks)

    ReplyDelete
  47. advice for 6-10 years-Use shopping trips and coupon clipping as opportunities to talk to your kids about finances

    tiramisu392 (at) yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  48. Our best money saving tip would have to be keeping the envelope system. An envelope for different expenses and I only withdraw from them when something comes up.
    firstrosegrrl@yahoo.com

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  49. money savings tip---make your own laundry detergent...its so inexpensive to do and works great...so much cheaper than buying it

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  50. Make a list and stick to the list!

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  51. Any money that my kids put in their savings account I match.

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  52. I learned that at our childrens ages, 6-10 that we should Start your children on allowances, teaching charity, discipline and goal-setting. We've already been doing this.
    These are such great guide lines.
    Thanks so much.

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  53. Never grocery shop when your hungry. It's more fun to shop that way, but It'll cost you more $$$$. Charlotte
    charlottewinters@cox.net

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  54. I like this one for older children. "Involve your children in family discussions around budgeting and goal-setting for large purchases. Studies have shown that family financial discussions are critical to having financially confident children by the time they are 18."

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  55. don't buy unless its on sale mverno@roadrunner.com

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  56. use coupons and get as many samples as you can

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  57. My best money tip is to take really good care of your car, like regular oil changes and stuff like that because it will save you alot of money if big things don't go wrong.
    Thanks!

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  58. I have a 13 year old with no idea of money this would be great and so much easier for Him to see it grow

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  59. I learned that the cent sign is slowly disappearing because of computers instead of inflation. There wasn't enough room for it on the keyboard. This was interesting to me. I always wondered why it wasn't ont there.

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  60. I'm following Make More Cents via google reader.

    ReplyDelete
  61. I'm a Fan of Make More Cents on facebook.

    ReplyDelete
  62. I'm following you blog.

    ReplyDelete
  63. My best money saving tip is to always use keep an eye out of good coupons. It is a little bit more work when you get to checkout, but it is very worth it once you see how much you end up saving

    Nerdygamergirl@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  64. I learned- When my children play office, they keep a ledger with the money they have, what they spend and how much they have left. It not only helps teach accounting basics, it also helps teach them the value of money. jelly15301@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  65. E-mail subscriber. jelly15301@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  66. I follow Make More Cents blog by e-mail. jelly15301@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  67. Facebook fan of Make More Cents. username-jelly15301 --- jelly15301@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  68. Tip for the kids in the ages 3-5..give your child a bank 2 encourage them to start saving
    pkbailey@charter.net

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  69. I am an email subscriber, and a blog follower
    pkbailey@charter.net

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  70. Money Saving Tip: Go into a store or market with a budget. Leave a card or money at home so you're forced on that budget. :)

    ReplyDelete
  71. To save money, buy your kid a cute outfit for the first day of school--then wait! As soon as school starts, all the clothes go on deep discount. Do the rest of the shopping the weekend after school starts.
    Jennifer, jennem22 at yahoo dot com

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  72. I'm following your blog. :)

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  73. The $ symbol dates back to late 1700's when Spanish pesos were used in the colonies. "ps" was the abbreviation for peso but over time the "s" was written over the "p" and the dollar sign $ came about. trinitygsd at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  74. My best money saving tip is this. Cut coupons before going to a supermarket and when you check out, don't forget to use the store discount card also.

    brandon_ralston@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  75. My best moneysaving memory was when I was about 13 - I had worn glasses since 4th grade and the lenses kept getting thicker every year. I was tired of them and wanted contacts but my parents told me I would have to save up and buy them myself. So I got a job and saved every penny to afford the exam and the first round of contacts. I've been wearing them ever since!

    Tarah
    tarah716[at]ymail.com

    ReplyDelete
  76. When shopping bring coupons or shop clearence.
    erma.hurtt@sbcglobal.net

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  77. Start doing allowance and charity knowledge when your kids are ages 6-10. Great point. Thanks for the chance.
    mogrill@comcast.net

    ReplyDelete
  78. My money saving tip?

    If I want something thats in trend, and will probably not be popular in the longhaul, I buy it cheap, or use something I already have to make it. For instance, paint splattered jeans are in. This morning, I did my own!

    clarkmurdock@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  79. My best money saving tip for children is this:
    If my daughter sees something at the store that she wants, I make her wait for 2 days. I ask her to calculate the cost, her allowance and extra chores she can do to buy it. If she still wants it and has the money, I'll take back to the store so she can buy it. Funny, sometimes she slaves away for something, other times she's decides it's not worth it.

    dontaskme22@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  80. following: heathergf
    dontaskme22@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  81. main button's on sidebar
    iblameitonthecat.blogspot.com
    dontaskme22@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  82. back to school button's on sidebar
    iblameitonthecat.blogspot.com
    dontaskme22@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  83. My money saving tip is to use coupons and buy bulk items to split with another family.

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  84. I use coupons whenever I can and especially at restaurants

    lkish77123 at gmail dot com

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  85. email subscriber

    lkish77123 at gmail dot com

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  86. I try to avoid impulse buying. I think about a purchase for a few days. If I really don'T need or want it, I don't buy it! Great giveaway! Thanks! senekers@comcast.net

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  87. I learned that as early as 3 years old introduce the concept of “needs vs. wants.” Talk with your kids about prioritizing the things they need versus things they would like to have.

    luvtosave at gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  88. blog follower as ethel and email subscriber

    luvtosave at gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  89. grabbed your button http://luvtojoingiveaways.blogspot.com/

    luvtosave at gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  90. also have your back to school button
    http://luvtojoingiveaways.blogspot.com/

    luvtosave at gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  91. My best tip is to save all change, even pennies! Also, use coupons! I've been wanting one of these!

    ReplyDelete
  92. Start teaching kids about money as soon as they show an interest. My boys 1 and 3 love money they look for money in my purse to put in there oink, oink. Thanks :)

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  93. What a fun jar! One of my favorite money saving tips is to always search on the internet for discounts or coupons before going out to dinner, shopping, or ordering things online. You can often find dinner specials or B1G1Free coupons for dinner, free shipping codes, free products with purchase, etc items!! So remember to look.

    Thanks so much!
    pamelashockley(AT)netscape(DOT)net

    ReplyDelete
  94. I follow on Google Friend.
    Thanks so much!
    pamelashockley(AT)netscape(DOT)net

    ReplyDelete
  95. My best tip is to buy things on sale unless its absolutely necessary.

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  96. My tip is to use lots of coupons!

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  97. My best money saving tip is to put all your change into this bank after you have gone somewhere and spent money...In no time at all it will be full and you won't even notice it!

    justine417@comcast.net

    ReplyDelete
  98. I'm following Make More Cents on facebook

    justine pierson

    justine417@comcast.net

    ReplyDelete
  99. I subscribe via email

    justine417@comcast.net

    ReplyDelete
  100. Great tool to help educate children on money management

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  101. I learned that you can teach the children the difference in money as young as 3. THank you

    candieluster(at)gmail(dot)com

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  102. My tip is to save all your change everyday, we have a jar similar to this and dh and I put all our change in it. It adds up uocker than you think. I would loe to win this one for my granddaughter.

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  103. I learned that at age 16: During this period, kids need to acquire the basic skills to live independently — managing a checking account, using ATMs and credit cards properly.
    kngmckellar@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  104. fb fan of Make More Cents/gloria mckellar
    kngmckellar@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  105. http://kngmckellar-glorias.blogspot.com/2009/08/httpenergizerbunnysmommyreportsblogspot_22.html#comments

    blogged
    kngmckellar@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  106. http://kngmckellar-glorias.blogspot.com/


    have your button on the left also
    kngmckellar@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  107. My tip is to use coupons and buy store brands

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  108. I found out tht at ages 11-15, kids should be exposed to the stock market, IRAs and saving for college.

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  109. My best money saving tip,shop around for EVERYTHING...It does take some time but well worht it!

    ardelong2(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  110. subscribe by email

    ardelong2(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  111. I learned that as early as 3 to 5 you should start talking to your kids about money and teaching them about savings.

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  112. I learned that the $ symbol dates back to late 1700's when Spanish pesos were used in the colonies... That's interesting

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  113. I learned about how it is important to introduce the concept of “needs vs. wants” with your 3 - 5 year old. Talk with your kids about prioritizing the things they need versus things they would like to have. Definitely important!

    xpsundell at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  114. I follow you.

    xpsundell at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  115. I learned the different things you can do/teach your kids at different ages to help them to learn how to be responsible with money.

    tlannan30[at]yahoo[dot]com

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  116. When teaching money management skills to our kids, we should be more pragmatic and help them understand that a rainy day fund is a necessity, not a nice to have.

    ReplyDelete
  117. Use coupons,discount codes,free shipping codes,and ad matches:)

    ReplyDelete
  118. My best money saving tip is to combine combine coupons with sales when grocery shopping.

    ReplyDelete
  119. I joined Make More Cents on Facebook.

    ReplyDelete
  120. Use shopping trips and coupon clipping as opportunities to talk to your kids about finances

    CharlieGurl57@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  121. Joined Make More Cents on Facebook
    (Charlene Kuser)

    CharlieGurl57@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  122. Subscriber via email

    CharlieGurl57@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  123. Following Make More Cents Blog

    CharlieGurl57@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  124. Save a little every time you get some money :)

    ReplyDelete
  125. We have a Save, Spend or Give jars for our children. They divide their commission $ every week. I love that my eldest is saving for a digitial camera or a car. For my younger ones, we have a clear jar that they can see. It works great!

    Their job lists are on the fridge and Daddy has to mark them off. He also handles the payouts. :)

    ReplyDelete
  126. I buy coupons for items we use on a regular bases in bulk (10-20 at a time). I know buy coupons? But today for example I spent less than $4 and will save over $40 when I use the coupons!

    ReplyDelete
  127. I'm now a fan of Make More Cents on Facebook!

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  128. I found the " Spend, Save and Share Banks" very interesting, these coin banks have separate compartments so that children can allocate money to save, spend or share, while learning to make life choices.

    Hotsnotty2@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  129. Buy kids clothes at garage sales! It's amazing how inexpensively you can outfit your kids if you're buying gently used stuff. Just wash everything and put it in their drawers. Most of the time they are excited and don't even ask where all their new stuff came from.
    murphykatt[at]yaho[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  130. my best money saving tip is to shred your own cheese. it is amazing how much money it saves because it lasts longer and tastes/melts better.

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  131. My best tip is to pick up and save money you find on the ground or in your car...it will start to add up!

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  132. my best tip is always round up the change and pretend that money does not exsist until christmas time we do it every year so we dont have to buy on credit thanks for the chance to win eaglesforjack@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  133. i joined on facebook my id is lepaige thanks for the chance to win eaglesforjack@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  134. i follow your blog thanks for the chance to win eaglesforjack@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  135. i subscribe thanks for the chance to win eaglesforjack@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  136. My best tip is to re-use everything and try to avoid the need for disposable items (paper towels, paper napkins, etc)

    ldsmom2201 at yahoo dot com
    The Happy Wife
    Homeschool Unit Studies

    ReplyDelete
  137. Chop out most of your entertainment expenses. What makes an evening or weekend special and fun are the company and the activity. Do fun, low- or no-cost things with friends like potluck meals, games, and movie rentals rather than fancy dinners out and hitting the movie theater at $25 a pop. Potential savings: another $20-$100 per week

    ReplyDelete
  138. cents fan on facebook kathylpease

    ReplyDelete
  139. following your blog as klp1965
    kathy pease

    ReplyDelete