Why Every Piggy Bank Needs a Choice Jar

Every hero needs a sidekick.

And in Cheddarville, Porkster Banks and The Choice Jar make the perfect duo.

Porkster teaches kids how to save their crumbs—how to gather, protect, and feel proud of what they’ve earned.

But once that piggy’s full, it’s The Choice Jar’s turn to shine.

Together, they’re like Batman and Robin for money confidence—one saves the day, the other decides what to do next.

Because collecting crumbs is only the beginning.

Learning how to use them wisely?

That’s where the real superpower starts.

Why This Step Matters

Saving builds control.

But choosing builds intentionality is where real confidence grows.

According to the National Endowment for Financial Education (NEFE), children develop stronger financial understanding when they move from passive saving to active planning, because it connects emotion, purpose, and outcome.

When a child decides, “This crumb goes to Sweet because I earned a treat,” or “This one goes to Smart for something bigger,” they’re practicing goal-setting, self-control, and value-based thinking—skills that shape healthy financial habits for life.

The Psychology Behind The Choice Jar

Children need to see and feel how money moves to truly understand it.

A visual tracker like the Choice Jar makes money tangible.

• Delayed Gratification: They see how waiting brings bigger rewards (Smart).

• Joyful Spending: Spending becomes a thoughtful choice, not an impulse (Sweet).

• Empathy & Gratitude: Giving becomes visible and meaningful (Heart).

Researchers have shown that kids who make visible, emotional connections to their money develop stronger saving and giving behaviors later in life.

Turning Awareness into Action

Once your child’s piggy bank starts to fill, introduce the Choice Jar:

“Now that you’ve saved your crumbs, how would you like to use them?”

Ask guiding questions that invite ownership, not rules:

“What do you feel proud to save for?”“What could make someone else smile?”“What would feel fun to enjoy now?”

Each conversation turns a pile of coins into a moment of awareness.

Growing Beyond the Jar

As your child grows, the Choice Jar evolves with them:

• Ages 3–5: Keep it simple—watching jars fill builds cause-and-effect.

• Ages 6–9: Add short-term goals to Smart and Heart jars.

• Ages 10+: Begin talking about “investing your crumbs”—how money can grow and create more good when managed wisely.

This step transforms saving into purpose and lays the groundwork for later lessons about earning, investing, and generosity.

One Crumb at a Time

The piggy bank teaches saving.

The Choice Jar teaches purpose.

Together, they bridge the gap between collecting and creating—between having money and using it wisely.

Because money confidence isn’t just about what you hold.

It’s about what you choose.

It all begins with one crumb.