DIY Piggy Bank: A Great Way to Pay for Life's Extras 

Learn how to make a DIY piggy bank from an upcycled spaghetti glass jar! Start saving money with this fun and creative project, plus don't miss out on actually saving money today. 

Show Me The Money!

Do you hear all of the fanfare in the background when I make that statement? Oh, only me? How embarrassing.

Well, let's begin the New Year with an upcycle. 

How about us upcycling an old spaghetti jar into a DIY Piggy Bank?

While I do admit it is not what I planned to share today... I am behind in finishing a few updates in our bathroom, so I decided this may be the best idea to kick off our new year anyway.

Speaking of new year, it usually brings new year's resolutions, do you have one each year?

I have to say, I am not that gal who has a new year resolution or word, or color, or whatever every year, I am on the no plan, plan. 

BUT if saving money is on the mind, and part of your plan, then how about a place to store all that hard earned cash?

But before we go any further, can I give you some advice? Put down that credit card and while you're at it, the debit cards too. Go back to using good old cash. You will be surprised by how much you spend on a daily basis when you set a budget and stick to it. 

Now on to how to save MONEY! 🙌

I am going to share a little secret with you... 

Save your change! Now do you know why I said to put down the cards?

Change adds up so quickly, and you do not even miss it when putting money away for a rainy, or uh, snowy day.

Don't believe me?

What if I shared with you that a good portion of our wedding was paid for in change?

You read that right!

My husband had all sorts of banks with change in them. He would save his change everyday and throw it into those precious banks. 

When it came time to pay for things for our wedding, we paid for our cake, photographer, D.J., and a down payment on our venue all with change. 

I know, I was shocked too!

When it came time to tally up that change, we went to the bank and requested coin wrappers so we could roll the change to see how much we had saved.

When we returned to the bank with our rolls of change, they were impressed and thankful. The teller told us they are always thankful to receive rolls of change. Retail stores, restaurants, even the electric company order change for their businesses.  

We had several thousand dollars, can you believe it?

Now... that trip to Alaska or Ireland doesn't sound so far off, does it? Or, how about paying off debt with change? Paying your electric bill... adding to a 401k, do you see where all of that change can now go? I plan to share more money saving tips sprinkled in our recipes and projects throughout the year, so stay tuned.  

With saving money in mind, I thought we'd begin the new year with a small DIY Money Bank Idea to get things started with a BANG!

DIY Piggy Bank

Materials:

1. 1 spaghetti jar & lid
2. Waverly Ivory Chalk Paint
3. Chip Brush
4. Napkin of your choice, I looked through my stash and found this adorable Lab and Cat (no longer available, but wow there are so many different style napkins available now) who said it's winter outside, let's start saving!
5. Mod Podge
6. Hot glue gun
7. Hot glue
8. 1 shower curtain ring 
9. Tin snips 

Instructions:

• Give the jar a good cleaning, I always run mine through the dishwasher so they are cleaned and sanitized
• Begin stippling chalk paint onto the jar, allow to dry, then apply a second coat, allow the second coat to fully dry
• Stipple the exterior of the jar with Mod Podge, while it is still damp, begin to apply the napkin, allow to dry. If you like a smooth finish, use saran wrap to smooth out the napkin, I prefer what I call the cast iron look, it has a more vintage feel to me. 
• Apply a second coat of Mod Podge to the jar and over the napkin to protect the napkin.
• Cut the closure part of the shower curtain ring off with tin snips (works like a dream)
• Apply hot glue to the lid and place the shower curtain ring on the top to create a handle (you may need to hold it in place until the hot glue sets up), continue to place glue all over the lid, allow to drip down the sides (I'm going for snow dripping down the lid affect)
• Paint the lid the same ivory chalk paint, allow to dry, and then add a second coat of paint
• Apply antique gold rub n buff to the ridges of the shower curtain ring, this gives it a metal look. 
• Add antique gold rub-n-buff to the jar for a vintage feel.

Now, that spaghetti jar no longer looks like a regular glass jar, plus it does a superb job in hiding the fact it is our diy piggy bank. The more decorative you make it look, the less likely someone will guess that is where you are stashing your cash. 

Ideas for your money saving jar.

1. You can cut a slit in the top of the jar lid, but I prefer for no one to know it is my money saving jar. I like for things to be incognito around here.
2. Hot glue the lid to the glass jar to prevent money being taken out. When you need the funds, break that piggy bank like the good old days, and start all over making a new one. 
3. Paint a scene on the outside of the jar
4. Glue colorful beads to the outside of the jar to create a rainbow, the pot of gold is always at the end of the rainbow, right?  

Now where to put your Saving Jar? Well, it has been my experience most hide them in the kitchen, but that seems like the most likely place to look in my opinion. 

How about the bathroom? You can even stuff a few cotton balls on top so no one is the wiser. The bedroom closet seems like another good place, perhaps hidden inside a tote, purse, or large pocket of clothing... inside a basket, or like mine, out in the open, because who hides money where everyone else can see, the opportunities are limitless. This part is all you, where will you hide your savings? 

So, now that you know you can really save a lot of money using change, do you think you will give it a try this year? 

How about the homemade DIY coin bank to hide that savings? It goes to show you, there is no need to go out and make a purchase to save your pocket change, a good old glass jar will suffice. Just be sure to hide the contents well. 

I sure hope this money saving tip helps you to reach your goals this year.    

Ciao,

Cara