What can I use instead of a money box?

There are many alternatives to using a traditional money box or piggy bank to save money. Here are some quick answers to questions about money box alternatives:

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Why use something other than a traditional money box?

There are a few reasons you may want to use something besides a traditional coin bank:

You want a more secure place to store money

You want to earn interest on savings
You want a tool to help automate saving
You want something more portable than a clunky coin bank

What are some secure alternatives to a money box for saving cash?

If you are looking to securely store physical cash, some options include:

A lockbox or safe – This keeps money locked away and less accessible for impulse spending
Zip-up bank bags – These provide portable, zippered pouches to organize and transport money

Hidden stash spots – Places like books with cut-out compartments or locked drawers can discreetly hold money

What are good options for earning interest on savings?

Unlike a traditional piggy bank, these options allow you to earn interest on savings:

High-yield savings accounts – These provide higher interest rates than typical savings accounts

Money market accounts – Similar to savings but may have higher rates; some restrictions
Certificates of deposit (CDs) – Lock up money for a set period to earn interest
Treasury securities – Low-risk but higher earning government-backed investments

What tools can I use to automate saving money?

Some tools that make saving automatic:

Automatic bank transfers – Set up recurring transfers from checking to savings accounts
Payroll deductions – Automate putting a portion of each paycheck into savings

Online saving apps – Have small amounts automatically deposited into savings, like Acorns or Digit
Retirement accounts – Workplace plans like 401(k)s let you automatically contribute

What are some good portable alternatives to large money boxes?

For saving on-the-go, some good options include:

Savings-specific prepaid debit cards
Mobile payment apps with savings features, like PayPal or Venmo
Savings challenges banks provide, tracking digital transfers

Investment apps that let you automate buying stocks/funds

What everyday household items can double as money boxes?

You can repurpose many common items to stash your cash savings:

Jars – Glass, plastic, or ceramic jars work well to fill with bills and coins

Envelopes – Use letter envelopes to hold money for different savings goals
Empty containers – Clean out containers from oatmeal, coffee, or other goods to use
Books – Hollow out books to create hidden savings compartments

Purses, bags, or backpacks – Designate one to be your savings purse/bag
Socks – Long socks with elastic tops can hold money and stay bundled

Mason jars

Small glass mason jars are one of the most popular repurposed items people use instead of traditional piggy banks. They are clean, sturdy vessels that comes in many sizes, shapes and colors for saving money. Decorate them with stickers, paint, or labels for different savings goals. The wide mouths make getting money in and out easy.

Zipper pouches

Reusable zipper pouches, bags or coin purses allow you to safely store money while keeping it organized and portable. Look for pouches in fun designs or label them for different purposes like an emergency fund or vacation savings.

Coffee tins

Once empty, coffee tins with plastic lids make great money boxes you can decorate. The plastic lid will keep odors out and the money in. Opt for metal tins which are sturdier. Clean thoroughly before using.

Should I save money at home or in a bank account?

Here are some pros and cons of saving at home versus in a bank account:

Saving at home

Pros:

Immediate access to your money at any time
Avoid banking fees with no association to a financial institution

Teaches discipline as you manually contribute and see savings grow

Cons:

No security if money is lost or stolen

No interest earned on amounts saved
Requires physical depositing of cash frequently

Saving in a bank account

Pros:

FDIC insured protection up to $250,000 in case of bank failure
Opportunity to earn interest on savings, increasing the amount
Convenient access to money with an ATM/debit card

Cons:

Less visibility into amounts saved compared to a physical money box
May be subject to fees like monthly maintenance or overdraft

Immediate access can tempt spending instead of saving

How do digital money boxes and apps work?

There are now digital alternatives to traditional physical money boxes and banks. Many work through a linked debit card and mobile app that help automate your saving.

Some common features of digital money boxes include:

Round up transactions – Rounding up purchase amounts to the nearest dollar allows the excess change to be deposited into savings.
Set periodic transfers – Choose to transfer set dollar amounts from checking to savings on a schedule, like $5 daily.
Save change – Virtual “change jars” let you deposit digital change from transactions.

Set savings goals – Earmark money you contribute to different savings targets like an emergency fund.
Earn interest – Interest-bearing savings or investment accounts allow you to earn on amounts saved.
Withdrawal restrictions – Limitations like penalties for early withdrawals encourage more disciplined saving.

Examples of digital money box apps

Some popular digital money saving tools include:

Acorns – Invests your “spare change” in diversified ETF portfolios
Digit – Automatically saves small amounts using algorithms; offers savings bonuses

Qapital – Lets you set up automatic saving rules catered to goals
Moneybox – Round-up saving and investing app for UK residents
Long Game – Saves into prize-linked savings accounts with cash rewards

What are creative ways I can decorate or divide my money box?

There are endless creative ways to decorate a money box to motivate your savings habit:

Use stickers and labels to designate categories for different savings goals like vacation, car, down payment, etc.
Get crafty with paint, glitter, and other embellishments to personalize your box or jar to your style.

Divide up your storage vessel into compartments for allocating portions to different priorities.
Keep coin rolls on hand so you can roll coins and cash them in as your stash gets full.
Add encouraging quotes or sayings about saving to remind you of financial goals.

Have kids decorate their own boxes to get them excited about saving and learning money habits.

The decorating options are endless. Get creative in ways that will make you happiest about your saving and keep you motivated. Change it up periodically for a fresh feel.

Ideas for decorating money boxes

Some fun decorating ideas include:

Painting your box and adding glitter, rhinestones or other embellishments
Cutting out pictures of destinations and items you’re saving for to make a collage
Using washi tape, stickers or sharpies to personalize and label your box

Attaching ribbons, flowers, lace or other decorative touches
Adding inspirational quotes about money using printable stickers or vinyl

Ways to divide up your money box

To allocate your savings, you can:

Use dividers or compartments built into some bank designs
Separate savings into envelopes or bags stored in one large container
Divide up one vessel into segments using craft dividers

Use multiple smaller boxes, jars, bags or cans to represent different goals
Color code with labels, stickers or rubber bands to assign categories

Should I involve my kids in saving with a money box?

Using money boxes can be a great way to teach kids about saving from an early age. Some benefits of involving kids include:

They learn the value of money when they earn and save it.
It builds a strong financial literacy foundation.
It helps kids practice patience and delayed gratification.

It allows for discussions on goals, wants vs. needs, planning.
It teaches discipline and responsibility around money management.

Tips for successfully using money boxes with kids:

Introduce the concept simply – explain saving money for future goals
Make it fun – let them decorate their own box to get excited
Give them opportunities to earn – reward chores or achievements by allowing them to save a portion

Agree to a goal – have something specific they are saving up money for like a toy or outing
Make it a habit – set regular times to put money in like after an allowance

Using a money box is generally recommended for kids ages 4-14. Make it a positive experience and encourage their continued progression in money management.

Making money boxes fun for kids

Some ways to make saving more fun for kids include:

Letting them decorate their own box with stickers, paint, glitter, etc.
Making depositing money a consistent routine like after receiving an allowance

Using clear jars so they can see their savings grow before their eyes
Encouraging friendly competitions between siblings to see who can save the most
Making savings goals visual by creating progress charts

Occasionally exchanging full coin rolls at the bank for cash to deposit

Teaching kids about money boxes

When introducing kids to money boxes, be sure to explain:

Why saving is important – to afford things later vs. spending now

How steadily adding money can grow into larger amounts
Ways they can earn money through chores, gifts or allowances
How tracking progress helps to achieve savings goals

That their savings belongs to them for their own goals

Keep lessons simple, engaging and positive. Learning good savings habits young builds responsible skills.

What are creative alternatives I can make at home besides a traditional piggy bank?

If you want to get crafty, there are lots of creative money boxes you can make at home, like:

Painted wood or tin boxes with coin slot
Mason jars decorated with stickers, paint, lace, etc.
Origami money folds that unfold to store bills or checks

Toilet paper rolls covered in decorative paper or fabric
3D cardboard models like a school bus, rocket ship or vending machine
Plush animals like bears, elephants or unicorns with savings pouches

You can also upcycle common household items to give them new life as DIY money boxes:

Used food jars or cans covered in decorative duct tape
Old books carved out to create a hollow hiding place

Baby food pouches or plastic bottles cut with coin slot
Egg cartons glued together into fun shapes with painted designs

The only limit is your imagination – be as creative as you like to make saving money fun!

How to make a mason jar money box

You’ll need: mason jar, decorative paper or fabric, glue, foam brush

Clean and dry pint or quart sized mason jar thoroughly
Cut out paper or fabric into strips wide enough to cover jar circumference

Brush glue in even layer across entire outside of jar
Smooth paper or fabric strips onto jar, overlapping edges
Apply second layer of glue over paper/fabric to seal down

Allow to fully dry before using

How to make an origami money box

You’ll need: sheet of origami paper, double-sided tape

Fold paper according to origami box instructions

Once folded up into a box, use small strips of double-sided tape to hold folded edges together
Open top flap to insert money into the box
Can fold up flat again to store filled box in drawer, purse or wallet for portability

Conclusion

There are endless creative alternatives to plain old piggy banks for saving your money. Whether you want increased security, better accessibility, fun designs, automated features, or ways to teach kids – there are so many options out there. Finding the right method can help make saving feel more engaging. The most important thing is to choose a strategy that works with your lifestyle and keeps you motivated.