“You’re saving up for something special?”, the bloke behind the counter asked me,

“Not sure, maybe…” I said in reply.

On a whim I bought a money box today.

I haven’t had one for many years.

First there were the plastic pigs you eventually hacked to pieces.

And later, there was the more grown up “miniature bank” you could more simply open.

Even at university, I’m sure I had a money box. Never much money. But a money box, nonetheless.

And for the last ten years or so I’ve been collecting coins in plastic take-away contains.

I have five of them on my kitchen benchtop – 5c, 10c, 20c, 50c, $1 – in which I place loose change until eventually I have enough to make a visit to the bank.

I used to love the “counting machine” my local branch used to have, which swirled around like a merry-go-round, and which both sorted the coins and gave you a final sum.

It’s not as interesting these days to go to the bank, as they simply weigh the coins. Boring… :)

“How much do you think it will hold?”, the bloke asked me. He suggested maybe $900 or $1000.

“No idea”, I told him.

And I guess that’s part of the appeal of my new money box. It’s quite large, and will need a can-opener to retrieve the contents.

One day when it’s full – or I need cash – I can’t wait for the thrill of going to the bank with my freshly opened money box and seeing what’s inside.

And when I know how much I have, I’ll decide what to do with it.

Unlike saving for a specific project, this one has brought out the child in me again, I think.