A piggy bank is a container you fill with coins and small bills to save money without using a bank account

A piggy bank is straightforward a container — usually shaped like a pig, but it can be anything — where you keep coins and cash you want to set aside. Unlike a bank account, the money stays in your home, and you decide when to add to it or take from it. No fees, no paperwork, no minimum balance. It works best for small amounts of money you are saving for a specific goal, like a gift, a small purchase, or building an emergency fund to keep at home.

Making one yourself costs almost nothing and takes less than an hour. You can use materials you likely have around your house right now.

Key Takeaways

  • A homemade piggy bank can be made from a plastic bottle, glass jar, cardboard box, or tin can — anything with a small opening for coins.
  • The simplest version requires only a container and a slot cut or drilled into the top or side.
  • A piggy bank holds cash and coins at home but offers no protection against theft or loss, unlike money in a bank account.
  • Once full, you will need to break it open, cut it open, or remove a plug to get the money out.

Making a piggy bank from a plastic bottle

A plastic water bottle or soda bottle is the easiest starting point. Rinse it thoroughly and let it dry completely. Using a utility knife or box cutter, carefully cut a horizontal slot about one inch long into the side of the bottle, roughly one-third of the way up from the bottom. The slot should be wide enough for a quarter to slide through easily. Sand the edges smooth with fine-grit sandpaper so you do not cut your fingers.

If you want to decorate it, wrap the bottle in colored paper, paint it, or cover it with stickers. You can draw eyes and a snout on the front to make it look like a pig, or leave it plain. Once the decoration dries, your piggy bank is ready to use. To empty it, cut a larger opening near the bottom or carefully cut the bottle open with scissors.

Making a piggy bank from a glass jar

A mason jar or any glass jar with a lid works well and lasts longer than plastic. Wash and dry the jar completely. Using a drill with a small bit (about the size of a quarter), carefully drill a hole through the center of the metal lid. If you do not have a drill, you can ask someone at a hardware store to drill it for you — many will do this for free or a small fee.

Screw the lid back onto the jar. Coins will drop through the hole in the lid and collect inside. The jar is transparent, so you can see how much money you have saved without opening it. To empty the jar, unscrew the lid and pour the coins out, or use a coin counter at your bank if you have one.

Making a piggy bank from a tin can or cardboard box

An empty soup can or coffee can works the same way as a plastic bottle. Wash it and let it dry. Using a drill or a hammer and nail, make a hole in the top large enough for coins. File down any sharp edges. You can wrap the can in decorative paper or paint it to make it look nicer.

A cardboard box — like a tissue box or small shipping box — can also work. Cut a slot into one side about one inch long and one-quarter inch wide. Reinforce the slot with tape on the inside so it does not tear when you push coins through. Decorate the outside however you like. When it is full, carefully cut open the bottom or a side panel to remove the money.

Keeping track of how much you have saved

If your piggy bank is not transparent, write down how much money you put in each time. Keep a small notebook next to it and jot down the date and amount — for example, "March 15: added $3.50." Add up the total once a week or once a month so you know how close you are to your savings goal.

If you are saving for something specific, write the goal and the target amount on a label and stick it to the piggy bank. This keeps you motivated and reminds you why you are saving.

Understanding the limits of a home piggy bank

A piggy bank is convenient for small amounts, but it has real drawbacks. Money kept at home is not insured — if it is stolen, lost, or damaged in a fire, it is gone. A bank account protects your money through deposit insurance and security systems. A piggy bank also earns no interest, so your money does not grow over time the way it would in a savings account.

A piggy bank works best as a short-term tool for a specific goal — saving for a birthday gift, a small vacation, or an emergency cash fund to keep on hand. Once you have saved a meaningful amount, consider moving it to a bank account where it is safer and can earn interest.

Frequently Asked Questions

What size hole should I make for coins?

Make the hole large enough for a quarter to fit through easily — about three-quarters of an inch. If the hole is too small, coins will jam. If it is too large, the piggy bank looks sloppy and coins may fall out if you tilt it.

Can I use a piggy bank for paper money?

Yes, but you will need a larger slot — at least one inch wide and three inches long. Rolled bills take up more space than coins, so your piggy bank will fill faster. A box or envelope works better than a bottle if you are saving mostly paper money.

How do I open a piggy bank without breaking it?

If you built it with a removable plug or cork in the bottom, just pull that out. If you drilled a hole in a jar lid, unscrew the lid. For bottles and cans, carefully cut a larger opening with scissors or a utility knife. For cardboard boxes, cut along one edge and tape it shut again when you are done.

Is a piggy bank safer than keeping money in my wallet?

A piggy bank at home is safer than carrying cash in your wallet, but less safe than a bank account. Money in a wallet can be lost or stolen when you are out. Money in a piggy bank is protected from daily loss but still vulnerable to theft or fire at home. A bank account is the safest option for money you want to keep long-term.