Piggy Bank

Amy mentioned on Facebook one day that Cashew was up for grabs. String Bean put down a bid, her entire life savings of 5 cents.

Since then, she attended the 4th of July parade and thanks to the 200th birthday of Abraham Lincoln, her savings increased 60% to 8 cents as reported here.

Thanks to tonight's visit to the laundry room, she now has another cent to add to that collection. That is a 12.5% increase in just a few days. Take that, Bernie Madoff!

All this collection of coins leads me to the dilemma of what to do with them. Right now, they are taking up residence next to String Bean's shoe collection. I'd like to keep them a bit safer from grubby hands that might decide they'd make a good choking hazard. I could put them in a jar, but that's not very cute.

All this brings me to today's question. What sort of "savings account" should we start for String Bean? I am soliciting all ideas including the traditional piggy bank to an envelope shoved under her mattress.

What kind of bank should we get for String Bean?

Saving for Weddings

Looks like Peanut and String Bean have taken to one another. Which makes me wonder to myself...since the parents of the bride typically pay for the bulk of wedding expenses, what should we be putting away for String Bean's wedding now?

My co-blogger, Amy, has a daughter, Cashew. Her dad suggested $1 per week. In order for her to have a $10,000 wedding budget (using the "mattress" savings plan) she'll be 192 before we have that saved up. Oh, wait. She's almost 1 now...make that 193. I'm not sure Peanut will wait that long for her.

How much should we save up for both String Bean's and Cashew's weddings? Any suggestions on how to save for both weddings and college without sacrificing one for the other?

Keep in mind that although we married a doctor and a technical professional, we are still dirt poor. How is that possible you ask? Well, that's a topic for another day!