Sweet Savings

I grew up stashing away my pennies. I was fairly creative in my enterprises: I tried selling tomatoes once, and rocks, and water. The miniature golf course that my friends and I carved out of the woods didn't do too well, but we did manage to scrape $2 or so out of the neighborhood kids. It didn't go so far when you split it three ways. Then there was always the steady allowance. When I got older, babysitting and lawn mowing produced a little more. Finally, I got a job and went to college with $7,000 tucked in my back pocket.

My children seem to have caught the bug too. I think that they are a little more solidly grounded than I was at their age. They invested in candy/gumball machines. Yep, the American dream is alive and well in our home.




Including the $67 for shipping (choke, gag), each machine was about $100. With her sights set on big earnings Gem had no problem coughing up a third of her savings. Shakespeare took the plunge, investing $80 of his $84.67 and taking out a 0% Mommy loan for the extra $20. They each own one machine (1 with a lien), and mom and dad bought one to help finance family vacations.

Jon talked to the powers that be on the campus, and the kids can place their little gold mine anywhere they please. We're thinking about right outside the new grill. If candy doesn't sell well there we'll try the smoking hangouts. So, three cheers for my little American entrepreneurs.

Paid extra for this little feature right here--a secure cash box that pulls out. Makes collection a breeze.