More Winning Pigs!

New River Valley Piggy Bank Pagent Winners!



The New River Valley Piggy Bank Pageant was a great success. There were over 100 entries! Check out the creative banks. A special thank you to the sponsors of the the New River Valley Piggy Bank Pageant!

Next year, several areas will coordinate efforts for a statewide Virginia Saves Piggy Bank Pageant. Look for details in early 2012.

And the Winners Are. . .

Virginia Saves is pleased to announce the 2^nd Annual Piggy Bank Pageant Winners!

The goal of the Piggy Bank Pageant was to inspire children to create savings goals and to develop the habit of regular savings for their future by engaging in building their own savings bank. Children tend to be early adopters of social campaigns and can be a great influence on family behavior. Money has power because it gives people (older and younger) decision making opportunities. Teaching wise spending and saving has a great impact on your child’s financial future than investing.

BB&T donated savings bonds for Virginia Saves to award as prizes in the Piggy Bank Pageant. BB&T has been an active partner with Virginia Saves. BB&T created new accounts for our Virginia Savers. These special accounts will really grow dollars that are saved.

The Savings Bonds provided by BB&T will be presented to the winners of each category.

·         $100 Savings Bond for the 1^st Place Winners

·         $75 Savings Bond for the 2^nd Place Winners

·         $50 Savings Bonds for the 3^rd Place Winners

A BIG thanks to BB&T for the prizes and their support of Virginia Saves! Eight winners will receive the Savings Bonds.

2^nd-3^rd Graders

Tied for 1^st place: Myra 

Name of bank: Piggy

Why savings is important: ‘So you can get what you want.’

What are you saving for right now? DSI



Tied for 1^st place: Brooke

Name of bank: Pepper

Why savings is important: “so you can buy a home.”

What are you saving for right now? A real dog



2^nd place: Jacob 

Name of bank: Hotdog

Why savings is important: For College

What are you saving for right now? PSXL/College





3rd place: Erin 

Name of bank: Piggy

 4^th-6^th Graders

Tied for 1^st place: McKenzie 

Name of bank: Pigy if a boy; Swirl if a girl

Why savings is important: “So you can go to college.”

What are you saving for right now? A horse



Tied for 1^st place: Shenan 

Name of bank: SD Bank

Why savings is important: “Because if you need money, you have some.”

What are you saving for right now? Phone, electric scooter and a car



2^nd Place: Paige

Name of bank: Meatloaf

Why savings is important: College, a car, a house

What are you saving for right now?  A car



3^rd Place: Hilary

Name of bank: Miss Pink

Why savings is important: “You can save for something coming when you grow up.”

What are you saving for right now? A car

Congratulations Winners!! The entries could be any style or theme. You were very creative and have great savings goals!

Parents can find more at Parent Resources for more information about instilling smart money habits in children while they are still young. By the time teens take the Personal Finance Class in High School, they have already established their 'money values'. Use fun activities like the Piggy Bank Pageant to talk about money with children!

Virginia Saves will be coordinating efforts with other areas of our great Commonwealth to include a State wide Piggy Bank Pageant in 2012.



More is 'Caught' Than 'Taught'

Virginia Saves equips Savers with the resources needed to pay off past debts, pay for current needs and wants, and invest for the future. As adults, we actually have to reprogram how we deal with stress and create a new plan. The spending plan is a powerful tool to help reach goals!!

Part of this vision is to supply ideas to parents. The next generation is watching and learning how to handle money. More is ‘caught’ than ‘taught’. If children develop healthy spending and saving habits as young people, they can avoid some of the money troubles their parents have experienced.  Take advantage of teachable moments that will instill good money habits with our children.

How can children learn the value of money?

·    Be realistic. Tell children that they cannot have everything they want. Wants will always outnumber available dollars!

·    Give commission. ‘If you do not work, you do not get paid!’ Teach children the value of work and that work produces money.

·    Have a family spending plan. Living on a budget needs to be modeled to children. This may involve telling the adults in the family that wants will not fit into this month’s spending plan.

·    Require calm money discussions. Talk with respect and without emotional outbursts or manipulation when talking about money in the home.

·    Set family financial goals. ‘When debt free, we will save to go to Disney!’ Get everyone on board to think of strategies to reach the goal.

·    Have fun while cutting back. Have a camp- out in the back yard and make S’mores. This spring break, have a ‘stay-cation’ and visit the sights close to home. Do not forget to pack a picnic lunch!!

Her are a few great resources for parents with young children:

Kids Count- many links to great parent resources

Children and Family- articles from Crown Financial Ministries to help train children (and parents) Children and Finances Part 1
Children and Finances Part 2

Handipoints- training good behavior in children through fun activities

Money Lessons for Children- Great resources for parents and teachers for financial skills

Thrive by 5- great activities and lessons you can use in your home to train pre-schoolers in financial basics

Money Mammals- website to help encourage both savings and giving for children. 

Parents are a child’s first teacher. They will learn more about how to handle money from you than from a high-school Personal Finance Class. Talk to children about smart money choices and help them develop good money habits!

Enroll at www.virginiasaves.org/enroll to receive a monthly newsletter full of saving ideas.

LIKE Virginia Saves on Facebook!