There is nothing more wonderful than to hear exciting announcements like this:
“Mom, I’m getting married!”
or
“Goyers, guess what? You’ve been chosen to adopt a wonderful sibling group!”
We’ve heard both within the last six months, which means that our family is growing in wonderful ways! (And more information about this new sibling group will be coming through my blog in future weeks … I promise!)
Of course, there’s nothing worse than hearing wonderful news and the first thought being, “Great, but how am I going to pay for this?!”
For most of our married life, John and I have spent whatever we’ve had in the bank, living check to check. Some years were very lean, and some years were abundant. But it’s been in the last few years that we’ve been better at savings … and aren’t we glad. Now we can look to expand our family with excitement, not huge worries about costs.
But that’s just one benefit.
Having a happy piggy bank also:
- Helps guard against credit debt.
- Helps to teach kids the value of money.
- Reminds us that we are in control of our money.
- Allows us to share our abundance and give to others.
Happy Piggy Banks Guard Against Credit Debt
Having a savings account is a buffer than helps you to guard against credit card debt. When you have money put aside, you can celebrate life’s events with a joyful heart, and without the worries of having to scale back on family celebrations. You are also prepared when those surprise expenses come up like medical bills or new tires.
Happy Piggy Banks Teach Kids the Value of Money
For children (well, sometimes adults too) the concept of money is vague. To help children understand better, show them an example of your family budget with savings, giving, and expenses laid out. Let your kids watch you as you write checks or put money into your savings account. Provide your children a small, weekly allowance and help them to do the same with their money.
Happy Piggy Banks Reminds Us We Are In Control of Our Money
When we spend using credit cards, money slips away every month with fees. When we have a budget and a savings account, we can happily decide between our wants, our needs, and how to spend and give. Instead of $50 or $100 (or more) going to interest every month, we can give to worthy organizations that supporting teenage moms or who fight against human trafficking around the world. We decide where every penny goes, and who it can help.
Happy Piggy Banks Allow Us to Share From Our Abundance And Give To Others
Having a savings account prepares us for life’s challenges, and life’s celebrations, but it also helps us to give with compassion. There have been times I’ve wanted to give to causes, but I’ve had little to give. When we save well, we can give well.
Saving Can Be Giving, Too
Most people already know the benefits of credit unions, such as customer ownership, fewer fees and higher savings rates. An added benefit is affinity-based banking—the intersection of faith and financial planning. These are financial institutions that offer business and consumer banking services while also investing profits in social causes. Using a credit union like this doubles your giving. You not only have more to give with few fees and higher savings rates, the credit union is using their profits to give to worthy causes, too!
If you’re looking to start making your piggy bank happy I’d like to help! (Actually ECCU wants to help and I’m excited about them helping YOU!)
Simple Math: Your savings + ECCU = More Ministry
With ECCU, your money does more than earn a good interest rate for you. It helps fuel Christ-centered ministry worldwide by providing loans to churches and low-cost banking services to missionaries and Christian organizations. Together, you + ECCU = supporting and resourcing more ministry. Plus, if you open a Money Market Savings today, ECCU will donate $50 to International Princess Project to help fight human trafficking in India.
“SAVE WITH ECCU” $1,000 GIVEAWAY!
Enter below for a chance to win $1,000. The contest runs from March 5 – April 10, 2015. The qualified winner must open an ECCU Money Market Savings account where the $1,000 will be deposited. Click here for official rules.
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Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
