Did you have a piggy bank when you were younger? If so, you probably remember a time when saving pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters meant a lot to you!
Once we reach adulthood, it's sometimes easy to forget the value of collecting change. The truth is, it's still a great way to save extra money — and it may surprise you how quickly small amounts can add up!
Check out these simple ways to make the most of your spare change:
#1: Choose a Spot for Spare ChangeOnce you start to look for it, you'll probably notice loose change in some unusual places like the couch cushions, coat pockets, your car and even the clothes dryer! Use a recycled jar or bottle — or a piggy bank — to stash the spare change you find. If you have kids, encourage them to get involved by decorating their own spare change container. Have fun with it! #2: Try a Savings ChallengeIf you're trying to make saving money a habit, a savings challenge can give you the motivation you need. One popular option is the 52-week savings challenge. With this challenge, you increase the amount you save by $1 each week. The first week, you save $1. The second week you save $2, then $3 the third week until you eventually save $52 on the last week. You could save spare coins and dollar bills, or set up transfers to your savings account with WPCU's Mobile and Online Banking. If you stick with the challenge, you'll save a total of $1,378 in one year!If you want to start smaller, you can always do the same challenge with quarters instead of dollars. The key is to be consistent and build momentum as you go! #3: Go Digital You don't have to carry cash to make the most of your spare change. Wright-Patt Credit Union's (WPCU) EasySaver® debit card round-up program^ is a savvy way to add to your savings with every purchase you make. When you sign up for EasySaver, every purchase you make with your WPCU debit card will be automatically rounded up to the nearest whole dollar and deposited into your EasySaver account^. Over time, the small purchases you make every day can turn into significant savings!
Once you start to look for it, you'll probably notice loose change in some unusual places like the couch cushions, coat pockets, your car and even the clothes dryer!
Use a recycled jar or bottle — or a piggy bank — to stash the spare change you find. If you have kids, encourage them to get involved by decorating their own spare change container. Have fun with it!
If you're trying to make saving money a habit, a savings challenge can give you the motivation you need. One popular option is the 52-week savings challenge.
With this challenge, you increase the amount you save by $1 each week. The first week, you save $1. The second week you save $2, then $3 the third week until you eventually save $52 on the last week. You could save spare coins and dollar bills, or set up transfers to your savings account with WPCU's Mobile and Online Banking. If you stick with the challenge, you'll save a total of $1,378 in one year!
If you want to start smaller, you can always do the same challenge with quarters instead of dollars. The key is to be consistent and build momentum as you go!
You don't have to carry cash to make the most of your spare change. Wright-Patt Credit Union's (WPCU) EasySaver® debit card round-up program^ is a savvy way to add to your savings with every purchase you make.
When you sign up for EasySaver, every purchase you make with your WPCU debit card will be automatically rounded up to the nearest whole dollar and deposited into your EasySaver account^.
Over time, the small purchases you make every day can turn into significant savings!
Once your jar or piggy bank is full of spare change, don't let it sit there! Keep your money safe and give it the opportunity to grow by depositing it into a high-yield savings account.
WPCU's TrueSaver savings account® gives you the opportunity to earn our highest savings rate from your very first penny saved at our credit union. Plus, with no monthly service fee, it's a better way to save and make the most of your money!
Once your spare change is safely in a savings account, think about how that extra money can help you reach your goals. Maybe it can help you make a payment on your credit card balance or student loan. Or, use it to start or build your emergency fund. Another good idea is to save up for holidays and vacations months before you need the money.
Younger kids can use their spare change to save up for a special toy or trip. You could also encourage them to put their spare change towards a future car or their college fund. Building a habit of saving early on will help set your little ones up for lifelong success!
At Wright-Patt Credit Union, we help you put your hard-earned money to work for you! Whether you're saving spare change or working towards a specific goal, we have smart solutions for all your savings needs.
Ready for more saving tips? Visit our online Education Center for free tools and resources to help you improve your financial flexibility and freedom.
^The Credit Union reserves the right to cancel or modify the EasySaver Debit Card Round-Up Savings Program at any time, at its sole discretion. Only transactions posted to your account as debit card purchases are eligible. The Credit Union does not control whether a transaction is processed as a debit card transaction and is not responsible for how the merchant or any network processes a transaction. Enrollment in eStatements is required to receive an EasySaver® match. Match will be paid on eligible funds in member's EasySaver account at quarter-end. Match is reportable on IRS Form 1099. The annual match limit is $300. Other reasonable restrictions may apply. This account is a variable rate account and the dividend rate and APY may change after the account is open. $0.01 minimum balance to earn APY. Fees may reduce earnings on the account. Primary member must not be delinquent on any WPCU loan obligation, have any negative balance in any WPCU share account, or have cause WPCU a financial loss of any kind. The applicable dividend rate is paid monthly in a Tiered Method, based on the average daily balance in the account for the dividend period. The actual APY paid to the share will vary depending on the average daily balance in the share for the dividend period.