Frugality

I tried to teach all my children to be thrifty. By setting an example. I told everyone I was frugal,economical and penny wise. All I got was a reputation for being cheap. I think my attitude towards saving money began when I was quite young. My mother bought a bank made from a tree branch. Complete with the bark. She got it in Minnesota. They make a lot of stuff out of trees. Nine months of winter does that to folks. I took the top off the bank. I didn't want the coin slot. Just a place to put money. It probably held twenty dollars in coins. I put in only quarters. I loved to swim at the natatorium. The fee was twenty five cents. My goal through the winter was to have enough so I could swim every day during the summer. I did odd jobs for the neighbors. I even baby sat. I saved it all. In my little tree bark bank. I rode my bike to the "Nat". Swam all day, then peddled home. I knew that with out the quarters, it would be a long summer. I never had a problem denying myself stuff to put it in the bank. I still don't today. I think of that bank often. It made a big impression. I look at everything in life with that philosophy. If you don't put something in, there is nothing to take out. The morale. Do your children a favor. Give them a bank....made from a tree.....with the bark and all.