Fresh produce and a money jar

There is not a single piece of fruit in this house today.

Not an apple, not a peach. There is a squishy kiwi that no one wants, and some watermelon pieces that got shoved to the very back of the fridge that are a little mushy, but since no one is eating that stuff I’m sticking with my story. There is no fruit in the house.

Let them eat cucumbers and cherry tomatoes, they’re growing in great abundance both in the front and backyard gardens. Oh, and a trip to the farmers’ market is in store today too.

I made a money  jar. I had a sudden realization that with school starting in a few weeks, I will need oodles of cash for the children’s endless financial needs the school subjects them to. Last year the boy needed 5 bucks for the agenda, then there was the snack program each kid had to contribute $15 to, the fundraising events that needed small change in the form of coins and small bills, pizza and Subway Fridays…

Loose coins

Doesn’t everyone keep a jar, or a bowl, around the house where loose coins get dropped into?

The kids have various piggy banks that they like to play with. Two are pigs, one an airplane, and one a plastic peanut jar that peanut butter used to come in. The mom of an old boyfriend saved it for me back in my university days, and I still have it. It’s full of coins!

If you pour out the coins and start sorting, and counting them, it is actually astonishing just how much money you have. This is legal currency, cash flow, and there is no reason why you can’t use these coins on your next shopping trip.

We counted out the coins and placed them in two snack-sized ziplock bags. One contained $1 coins (loonies here in Canada) and 5 cent pieces (nickels), and the other contained the twoonies and dimes. ($2 pieces and 10 cents). All together, we probably had over 20 bucks! Perfect for the farmers’ market.

This was Benjamin’s big opportunity to buy, and pay for, carrots, cherries and chocolate-drizzle pecan tarts. And he did so with pride and joy.

The next step is to teach him the value of money…