Saving Can Be Fun! 3 Creative Ways to Make Money Goals More Exciting

Let’s be honest—saving money isn’t always exciting. But as a mom who loves turning everyday things into an adventure, I’ve discovered that saving can be fun with the right twist!

Here are three creative and surprisingly joyful ways to save money, whether you’re planning a big purchase or just want to teach your kids the value of a dollar (or a nickel).

1. The $5 Bill Challenge

This one was a total hit in our house—especially with my daughter. Anytime she got a $5 bill, she had to save it. She used a fancy jar (because why not make it cute?), and by the time she graduated high school, she had saved over $1,000!

It became such a habit that sometimes she didn’t want to get a $5 bill—because she knew it was going straight into the jar. Still, the payoff was so worth it!

2. Open a Separate "Dream Goal" Bank Account

When my husband and I got engaged, I opened a special account just for our future house. I picked up a few side hustles and fun extra jobs (hello, motivation!), and all the money went straight into that account.

Watching that balance grow made me so excited—and it kept me focused on the big picture. Spoiler: we had a nice chunk saved up for a down payment, and it felt amazing.

3. Save the Change—Literally!

There’s something so satisfying about dropping coins into a giant jar. We have an old-school one that’s slowly filling up, and we’ve decided to use it for a big anniversary trip.

Now I look for loose change in the parking lot and avoid giving exact change at checkout—just to get a little more clink in the jar. When our kids were little, they had belly banks shaped like animals and loved feeding them. Saving felt like a game!

The Bottom Line? Saving Can Totally Be Fun.

Whether it’s $5 bills, coins, or bonus gig money—get creative and make saving something you look forward to. You don’t have to do it the “serious” way to make it effective.

Find what works for you and your family—and maybe throw in a cute jar or dino bank while you’re at it.