Over the summer, my sister had a yard sale with a friend. I fell in love with one of the teapots (red, of course) that her friend was selling and I bought it for a dollar...yup, a buck!
Well, in signature Exquisitely Unremarkable style, that pot was replaced on my server in very short order. Some other seasonal pretty caught my eye and, while I was rearranging, I set the teapot down on the counter next to my desk. I had only planned to leave it there for a few moments, just until I could find space for it in my cabinet. However, I am sure that the phone rang or someone needed a ride or was hungry and before I knew it, at least a week had passed and it was still sitting in that same spot.
Now I have left bowls, jars and actual piggy banks on that counter for years hoping (begging) that everyone would leave their spare coins inside. Instead, they left them strewn about. I would find change in my desk drawer, on the countertop, in pockets and even on the floor. I would try to collect them myself, but never with any critical mass. No matter how hard I tried to start a new family habit, no one ever complied.
Yet, for some reason this tiny little teapot called out to everyone and they started filling it with loot. I'm not sure exactly how it happened, but one day someone even put a dollar bill inside! Magic.
Last week, I decided to haul that heavy teapot piggy down to the bank and it coughed up over $141.00! I was floored. Not a bad return on my dollar investment ~ thank you Mary!
Apparently, I can be persuaded to change my fickle decorating ways if the price is right. Perfect spot or not, you can be sure that this is one accessory I will not be moving anytime soon!
Do you have a place for small change?
Sign up for email and follow the fun ~
Tips, tricks, crafts and giggles delivered straight to you!
Love the teapot, but my daughter would snatch it up and put it in her collection before it could collect anything! I use a pretty wine bottle that a friend left and I couldn't toss
ReplyDeleteIt's funny what catches our eyes and our hearts, isn't it? I just love the colors on that little pot!
DeleteVery cute teapot. We have a little pottery jar with a cork top that says 'college fund' even though my last college student has graduated. We use that for the silver change and have a large jug that we used for the pennies. Not sure that there has ever been $140 in there at one time though. Good haul. Congratulations.
ReplyDeleteI know! That is a good haul, right? I would NEVER have expected that much...although we haven't even started college yet, so we need to save every penny! ;)
DeleteWow! What a fun surprise!
ReplyDeleteIt was, Audra, totally unexpected! I'm looking for a repeat performance now!
DeleteWe have done that in the past and it really adds up quickly! How funny that your family decided to put it all in the teapot when you hadn't had luck before. You just never know what it takes. :)
ReplyDeleteWe use an old crock for spare change, when it's full we take it on vacation:) It's always a surprise to find how much we collect over a years period of time!
ReplyDeleteWe put our loot in the "vacation fund" too, Rhonda! Great minds...
DeleteHello Kim, that is such a pretty teapot and perfect for putting change in it! I have an old wallet in a drawer that I use for my spare change that works well for me. I hope you had a nice weekend.
ReplyDeleteJulie
Not bad at all 141.00! I'd leave it there too♥
ReplyDeleteLove this post! :) I place change in my 4 year old daughter's piggy bank and every year we empty it and use it the week of her birthday. We collect around $40 or so, for the past 4 years. :) I love how it teaches delayed gratification and how little things do add up. Whenever she sees change now, she knows to put it in her piggy bank. I also put $10 in her bank account every month, and though it is a small amount, my daughter now has $500 in savings, which is more than I currently have in savings. Haha!
ReplyDeleteYvonne, you are very smart. They are teeny now, but they grow very fast and before you know it, college is upon you! :)
DeleteI love this post! What a fantastic surprise! xo Jen
ReplyDeleteIt was very surprising, Jen! Now we are all on a mission to beat the last money amount! :)
DeleteI love your change keeper, Kim. So pretty. Mine is pretty common; just a little cobalt blue jar that sits on a shelf by my desk. I think it's funny that your family started using it without a word.
ReplyDeleteMe too, Nancy! Now if they would just start doing their chores that way....
DeleteGreat story and I love the teapot ...of course......it's red :^)
ReplyDeleteMANY years ago, someone gave me a copper potpourri pot with holes in the sides...... Great for potpourri, but essentially useless for anything else. It sat around on a bookcase in the kitchen for a long time, and I occasionally dropped coins into that I found here and there. Last year we were getting ready for vacation, so I took the coins to the bank..... $135.72....WOW!! Bought us a few lunches and suppers!! We have been dropping change into again this year :^)
Blessings to you,
J
It's amazing how quickly that change adds up isn't it, J? I had only left that pot there for about a week and when I picked it up there was probably about five bucks in it already. I just think it's funny that I stood on my head trying to motivate everyone to do this forever and it just happened on its own! I guess that's typical with kids! Glad you enjoyed your petty cash! :)
DeleteWhat a fun way to catch that spare change ... I use an old wine bottle ... I like your idea better
ReplyDeleteOff to look for an awesome teapot! LOL
Haha! I like that yours is a beverage container, too, Cara! :)
Delete