I came across this idea surfing the great big interweb recently. Saving money in a jar – nothing new there I hear you say, but there’s a difference….
The amount of money I put in each week matches the week number that we are on in the year. For example, I will start next week which will be Week 1, so I’ll put €1 in the jar. Week 2 will be €2 and so on until Week 52 and yes, that week will be the costliest at €52. If I do this I will have over €1300 in the jar by the end of the year. Nice?
Now, I can hear you saying many things….
1. Cool idea – yes I agree.
2. I am sensible Fiona. I have savings and don’t need to resort to a jar – well go you! However, not everyone is this diligent and motivated (me for one). It’s a bit like the New year’s resolution to get fit – the more fun it is the better and I think this is a fun way to kickstart a savings plan.
3. That’s fine for early in the year, but it’s a bit steep towards the end of the year – fair enough, I have used euros for this plan, but you can use 10c, 20c or 50c instead if it’s easier.
I created my own template to stick on the jar – now maths is not my strong point, so if you decide to check my figures, honestly there’s no need to post comments pointing out the errors (this is directed at my friends!!).
| Week | Monday | Amt | Total |
| 1 | January 76th | €1 | €1 |
| 2 | January 13th | €2 | €3 |
| 3 | January 20th | €3 | €6 |
| 4 | January 27th | €4 | €10 |
| 5 | February 3rd | €5 | €15 |
| 6 | February 10th | €6 | €21 |
| 7 | February 17th | €7 | €28 |
| 8 | February 24th | €8 | €36 |
| 9 | March 3rd | €9 | €45 |
| 10 | March 10th | €10 | €55 |
| 11 | March 17th | €11 | €66 |
| 12 | March 24th | €12 | €78 |
| 13 | March 31st | €13 | €91 |
| 14 | April 7th | €14 | €105 |
| 15 | April 14th | €15 | €120 |
| 16 | April 21st | €16 | €136 |
| 17 | April 28th | €17 | €153 |
| 18 | May 5th | €18 | €171 |
| 19 | May 12th | €19 | €190 |
| 20 | May 19th | €20 | €210 |
| 21 | May 26th | €21 | €231 |
| 22 | June 2nd | €22 | €253 |
| 23 | June 9th | €23 | €276 |
| 24 | June 16th | €24 | €300 |
| 25 | June 23rd | €25 | €325 |
| 26 | June 30th | €26 | €351 |
Whether you use 10c or €1 to kickstart the savings jar, I think this is a fun way to get children thinking about the advantages of saving.
Each week cross off the week number after you have put the money in the jar. The great thing about sticking the spreadsheet to the jar is that the children (and you) can see how much money you are accruing in the jar each week.
| Week | Monday | Amt | Total |
| 27 | July 7th | €27 | €378 |
| 28 | July 14th | €28 | €406 |
| 29 | July 21st | €29 | €435 |
| 30 | July 28th | €30 | €465 |
| 31 | August 4th | €31 | €496 |
| 32 | August 11th | €32 | €528 |
| 33 | August 18th | €33 | €561 |
| 34 | August 25th | €34 | €595 |
| 35 | September 1st | €35 | €630 |
| 36 | September 8th | €36 | €666 |
| 37 | September 15th | €37 | €703 |
| 38 | September 22nd | €38 | €741 |
| 39 | September 29th | €39 | €780 |
| 40 | October 6th | €40 | €820 |
| 41 | October 13th | €41 | €861 |
| 42 | October 20th | €42 | €903 |
| 43 | October 27th | €43 | €946 |
| 44 | November 3rd | €44 | €990 |
| 45 | November 10th | €45 | €1,035 |
| 46 | November 17th | €46 | €1,081 |
| 47 | November 24th | €47 | €1,128 |
| 48 | December 1st | €48 | €1,176 |
| 49 | December 8th | €49 | €1,225 |
| 50 | December 15th | €50 | €1,275 |
| 51 | December 22nd | €51 | €1,326 |
| 52 | December 29th | €52 | €1,378 |
By December, this jar should be pretty full….
So what do you think? Would you do it? I can’t wait to get started so roll on Monday January 7th…..
Fiona
PS: Check out the current edition of Irish Country magazine for my feature on Crafty Ideas and in this months issue of Home Farmer, I’ll help you get started with your very own garden smallholding..
Excuse the typo – of course I’m not starting on Januuary 76th! (It’s on week 1 of the spreadsheet) F.
Love it Fiona! Another thing I saw on the web that includes a jar is The Gratitude Jar…. google it…. a really lovely thing to do!
Will do Tara 🙂
Sounds good, if you can keep your fingers from dipping into the jar…lol
I’m just looking forward to having a jar that’s worth dipping into!!! I hope…..!!
Love this Fiona, I have a 2 Jars/candles from over Christmas these are now especially assigned to it, myself and Dave are going to both add to it each week! The second one Im going to also do a reward Jar since im rejoining slimming world this week, so for every pound I loose I will add to the Jar then please god when I reach my target I will treat myself!! ♥
Best of luck with Slimming World Nicola – and great motivation to fill the jar! Keep me updated on how you’re doing x
My middle daughter emptied a jar she had kept for six years, (since she was 10) and had €78 euro in it! Don’t tell her I might have borrowed the big coins throughout the years!
Uh oh! Hope she doesn’t read this blog!! I’d say she was happy enough though with €78 🙂
Lovely post. I did similar with one of those Tesco money boxes that you have to smash to open. I never did let it get completely full but did save almost €500 in one one time. My hubby was well impressed and knew then where all his €2 coins were disappearing to!
€500 is a nice little stash Paula! A nice reward for all the missing €2 coins 🙂
I came across this on internet and found it great idea too. I’m brutal with saving money! I started this and am on week 20, saving for a family trip to legoland (will take 2 years I’d say). Btw love your book!
Delighted to hear you love my book! Well I have a sum total of €1 in my jar right now – can’t wait to be on Week 20!
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Reblogged this on Fiona Dillon Writes and commented:
The euros are adding up. Have you startedyour Savings Jar?
Love this idea, I’d definitely use this for a family break away in the sun!
I wrote that blog piece 19 weeks ago and the euros are really starting to add up in the jar Fiona!
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