• Menu
  • Skip to right header navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Before Header

  • Facebook
  • Instagram

Courtney DeFeo

Creator & Ideator. Motivator for Families. Cheerleader for Loving & Serving

  • About
  • Start Here
  • Treasured Girlz
  • Shop
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Search
  • About
  • Start Here
  • Treasured Girlz
  • Shop
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Search

My Lil Money Jars – The Story

January 2, 2012 //  by Courtney

A tale of some little jars with big dreams.

317582_271149696249450_245818842115869_910877_116552444_n

To change the way a generation of kids handles their money.

What if our kids “got it” so early,

that their HEART FOR GIVING solved poverty?

What if our kids “got it” so early,

that their PASSION FOR SAVING eliminated leases and loans?

What if our kids “got it” so early,

that they SPENT WITH CONTENT on needs vs wants?

Here’s the story of My Lil Money Jars…

and if you get to the end there’s a treat.

317582_271149699582783_245818842115869_910878_645711225_n

 In March 2011, Lil Light O’ Mine was forming in my brain. I came across a couple principles I wanted to teach my kids – went shopping and struck out. My heart was pounding. I just knew there was a hole in the marketplace and God was opening doors for me to lead the charge. Products where a mom’s style can meet the child’s heart. A place where moms can be empowered and little lives could change. The best of home goods that actually teach our kids something.

294627_10150350812657579_699107578_8241555_1010370339_n

Around the same time, conversations went SOUR in the Target $1 section with my oldest child.

Simultaneously, God was teaching me about this topic through our pastor Andy Stanley and his frequent “give/save/live” messages.

BEFORE we even passed the rows of carts at TarJAY, before my tall skinny vanilla latte and before I started bribing them to “stay IN THE CART OR..”, there was already an EXPECTATION SET!

target-Logo

Ella would say something like, “What can I get today?” or “How many things can I pick out from there today?”

 I didn’t like what I had created. An EXPECTATION in my child that just because we could afford it, she could get something.

We weren’t having conversations about saving or giving.

 She was only 4 at the time, but I wanted the conversations to change. And, Ron/I wanted this to be an area our kids grasped early. So, they would always know the thrill of GIVING and SAVING and freedom of living on the rest.

I started looking online and saw some financial gurus were steps ahead of me on this product. However, in Lil Light O’ Mine fashion – I wanted to keep the mom’s style in mind.

IF IT STAYS VISIBLE (aka looks pretty cute) – I will remember to teach!

So, the work began.

DRAWINGS, PROTOTYPES, JAR MANUFACTURERS, CONVERSATIONS WITH MOMS, MARKER SAMPLES, LABEL SAMPLES, CRICUT MACHINES and then reality, ATTORNEY CALLS, GUESSING INVENTORY, PAINT COLORS, PHOTOGRAPHY, TESTING, LOGO DESIGNS, SHIPPING DISCUSSION with WAREHOUESE and MORE! Oh my!

314311_10150511923833858_505673857_11596081_931847934_n

You should’ve seen the types of jars and trays and samples coming through my house. Katie, Kelli and I played and talked “money jars” A LOT in 2011. Thanks to the best unpaid staff/friends ever. 🙂

We first thought we’d just rip off my brilliant pastor. I actually talked to his legal folks and they were so supportive.

 Andy Stanley has it right – it’s pretty simple.

We GIVE first, SAVE second and then LIVE on the rest.

317582_271149699582783_245818842115869_910878_645711225_n

So, just pre-print give/save/live right on there. Or???

After thinking and talking to MOMS … everything works better when your child is involved. How much MORE motivating could it be when customized for THEIR GOALS, THEIR CHURCH or THEIR WISHES!

298167_283056218392131_245818842115869_953030_1290425665_n

So, they come blank – and we just show you examples in the photos with Katie’s amazing handwriting.

She should sell that font, huh!

I wanted silver tops because I think they are cute and money spilling out isn’t funny. And, I wanted a nice tray to keep them all in one place – and varying colors to go for boy or girl.

317582_271149689582784_245818842115869_910875_2013295581_n

Did you know anything super affordable in business comes from China and takes FOREVER???

So, after a painful search, and some hard lessons learned (more on that another day) found an awesome guy that is HANDMAKING every tray!

The labels come in 2 shapes – oval for boys or neutral or scalloped round for girls. You can use regular chalk on there and it just wipes right off with wet paper towel.

317582_271149696249450_245818842115869_910877_116552444_n 317582_271149696249450_245818842115869_910877_116552444_n-1

The bistro marker just rules. It writes like a paint pen/marker and wipes right off with wet paper towel.

So, that’s the story of My Lil Money Jars. And, even financial guru Ron Blue was kind enough to endorse them (won’t lie – totally cried when this happened) for us and give us his thoughts on the issue here.

I hope it’s something you’ll find useful for your family.
Here’s a deal for reading the whole story.
RIGHT NOW, they are $10 off ($23.00 vs $33.00) for a limited time only.
If you already have them, please let us know how they are working!
We love stories and photos!
—————————————————————————–
Sincerely, A self-proclaimed OVER spender that loves to give! Could save/give way  more if spending habits would get in control in 2012.
God is still working on me. I need the jars more than the kids I’m certain.
Married to one EXTREMELY responsible manager oh the money.

Category: ABC Scripture Cards & Biz Updates, Fun Ideas for the Home

About Courtney

Courtney DeFeo is most known for being a factory of ideas for families. It’s her desire to lead a life that radiates God’s love in action and His grace along the way. As a former marketing professional for corporations such as Chick-fil-A and Ketchum Public Relations, Courtney has a history of creating memorable programs and ideas that motivate others to action. She is the author of In This House, We Will Giggle, creator of ABC Scripture Cards and Virtue Cards and the kindness movement Light ‘Em Up Acts. Her latest project is a community for tween girls and their moms - found at TreasuredGirlz.com. Her house is a wreck and she hates to cook. She adores her hot, patient husband. She posts entirely too many photos of her two girls on Instagram. Connect with Courtney anytime: Twitter • Website • Facebook • Instagram

Previous Post: « Clean Slate Club
Next Post: What Kind of Mom Will They Remember? »

Primary Sidebar

Greetings from Texas! I’m not an expert. I’m your friend. I love when faith comes to life in families. That’s what I’m doing most days of the week. Or, apologizing to my kids for the mess ups. Come in and get comfy. Start here.

Meet Courtney

JOIN THE MONTHLY NEWSLETTER

Get “60 Ways To Make Your House Giggle” & receive continued resources from Courtney DeFeo!

SHOP PRODUCTS

Categories

Light 'Em Up! - Courtney DeFeo

Copyright © 2022 Courtney DeFeo · All Rights Reserved · Site by Design by Insight