I discovered SmartyPig almost 2 years ago and instantly fell in love. I read every inch of their website and immediately called Chris to excitedly ramble to him about my find! He couldn't stop making fun of the name, but moving on...SmartyPig is a virtual online PIGGY BANK. This isn't for your large, longtime investment goals but it works for fun things and events! YOU choose a goal. YOU set your time frame for your goal. YOU choose what you're saving for. And YOU save money, lots of money if you do it right! It is heart-racing fun to punch in your goals, amounts, and time periods, and see the results of how long it will take you and how long you need to save. Yes, heart-racing fun. Who knew saving money could cause such an adrenaline rush?! It even shows a DARLING piggy bank on your page with the percentage of your savings filling up the pink pig.
This is AUTOMATIC. Once you set your goal, it pulls from your bank account once a month with an APR that is a more competitive rate than your local bank. As I mentioned, we are on our second year of it and have never had a problem. Once you reach a goal, you get your money. Simple. Last year, I had a Christmas Gift goal. Christmas shopping was {nearly} painless because we used these funds.
Christmas 2008 Smarty Pig Style
This is also an excellent way to get your kids involved in saving. For example, Skyler wants a new bike. I can program his goal for him and he can save online, watching his bank fill up. Because this is online, you can send grandparents the goal and they can easily contribute in lieu of gifts. They can participate and watch him reach his goal too!
I have a real pink piggy bank that sits on my bedroom dresser. It says, "DREAM BIG".
So...go! Get an account. Start working toward YOUR dreams. You won't regret it.
So...go! Get an account. Start working toward YOUR dreams. You won't regret it.
I have another CREATIVE way to save, click here!
For more Works for Me Wednesday tips, click here.
SmartyPig images used from smartypig.com
I've never heard of it but it sounds great. It's a great way to get your kids to learn about money. =) My boys have a little jar that they put all of our lose change into and it is amazing how fast it adds up.
ReplyDeleteSounds very interesting-- I'm going to look into this! The Christmas gift goal sounds right up my alley. :D
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for stopping by my blog. I really appreciate the kind words. This is a great idea. I am going to look into it!!
ReplyDeleteSmartyPig?!! LOL What a funny name! ;) Leave it to my wife to find the most fun and creative way to save money :)
ReplyDeleteThat looks interesting, I need to check it out.
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting my Baking Day post.
~Liz
That sounds very cool! I have the HARDEST time saving $$$.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by my blog today!
I'd never heard of that program before! Thanks for pointing it out...I'm off to look into it right now! Thanks for swinging by my blog, too!
ReplyDeleteWhat a cute idea. I need a Chanel 2.55 fund! Ah ha
ReplyDeletesuch a cute idea!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for your visit!:-) This Smarty Pig site sounds pretty cool!
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