Exploding Piggy Bank Helps Kids Save?
If you want to encourage kids to save, you might take them to the bank to set up an account, teach them to keep track of what they spend their money on and praise their progress. If you're in Japan, though, you apparently have to dol out severely negative punishment if your kid doesn't save his or her Yen, at least if the advent of this new exploding piggy bank is any indication.
The Savings Bomb is a digital piggy bank from TOMY. According to the company, it's shaped like a bomb, even labeled with a skull and crossbones, to strike fear in the hearts of kids. Those who are too poor to regularly add money to the thing will find that it starts to vibrate and shake. The LED wick on top will start to blink, and, if its carnal needs for money aren't quickly quenched, it'll blow all of your kid's hard-earned savings out the back. Picking up the change apparenlty, will force kids to"reflect on their laziness," according to TOMY.
So, no, it doesn't actually explode, but it does seem to make a big mess. Even so, we're not sure just how a bank that ejects all of your kid's money when they don't save is going to encourage them to save more. Plus, who the heck saves coins these days? You'd think an alarm clock that costs 2,922 Yen (about $25) would at least come with a bill slot.
From Reuters
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
WIHYSI @ Nov 10th 2007 11:12PM
Japanese 100 and 500 yen coins are worth roughly the equivalent of $1 and $5 and are ubiquitous, so it's still quite relevant for them to save coins.
John @ Nov 12th 2007 8:24PM
Well Tim, Japan has one of the highest rates of savings in the world and the U.S. one of the lowest. So maybe they're doing something right. The U.S. has to do something. Who knows, maybe and "exploding" piggy bank is just the ticket. Lord knows it couldn't hurt.
Mike F @ Nov 12th 2007 10:23PM
well just what we need.kids looking at a bomb for saving moiney.whats next? a gun for bthem to tiev shoes with?
H @ Nov 12th 2007 10:44PM
Thanks, WIHYSI.
It's amazing what people get wrong in some articles when they try to "humanize" it by inserting their own opinion. The 500en coin was my best friend when I was in Japan. Unless I was staying in a Ryokan, making a large purchase, or eating a nice meal, I didn't use anything bigger. It's easier to budget yourself when you stick to smaller currency... especially when you're visiting small souvenier (sp) shops and want to make sure you're getting the right change back.
David @ Nov 13th 2007 12:35AM
IT'S BUSH'S FAULT!
Debbie @ Nov 13th 2007 1:43AM
That is something...using a bomb for kids...doesn't matter what it is for...it is the fact that it is a bomb for a child...shouldn't be a bomb for anyone expecially a child. Get with it folks use some common sense
Kid @ Nov 22nd 2007 1:12PM
...three words: anime
sweat
drop
and to David, who posted a comment at 12:35 AM
SHUTTHEFUCUPYOUASSHOLENOBODYCARESWHATYOUTHINKANDHOWTHEFUCKISITBUSHSFAULTHUHYOUDONTKNOWDOYOUSOSHUTUPYOUFUCKINGDEMOCRATLIBRILGOTOHELL