MoneyBox

This page is for detailing and brainstorming ideas for clever home-made moneyboxen.

First, let us define a money box, and try to discover what makes one usefull.

money box
     n 1: a container (usually with a slot in the top) for keeping
          money at home; "the coin bank was empty" [syn: {savings
          bank}, {coin bank}, {bank}]
     2: a box for holding cash [syn: {cashbox}, {till}]

Now, what properties of a moneybox make it usefull?

• Principle of "out of sight, out of mind".
• Principle of "easy in, hard out".

Now a simple moneybox may implement either or both of these to a varying degree. The normal kids money pig hides the money, but usually is relatively easy to get money out. A "cookie jar" on the shelf may implement neither factor. The more cliche money pig will not have an exit hole, fulfilling the second principle, but being rather un-reusable. Of course, you only tend to see those in movies and bank commercials.

Ultimately, a moneybox is an aid to self-control. Afterall, if we had perfect self-control, then an open container would be sufficient. (and indeed, I've seen people with this system - but almost always it's been implemented for small coins only - making it inconvenient to use any significant amount of the available money.

There is also the question of the SIZE of the moneybox. Most commercial moneyboxes seem to be rather toy-sized. A holding capacity of half a litre or so at largest. On the other hand, I think a litre size should be minimum. I'm thinking long-term money storage. The thrill of counting out $20 when you were 7... doesn't exist when you are 27. But counting out $200 (or more) in silver coins... now that's a nice buzz.

Note that in my own estimates, a litre filled with assorted shrapnel (australian slang for coinage, especially the silvers (5c, 10c, 20c and 50c coins)) is likely to be around the $150 mark. Filled with assorted gold coins ($1 and $2), I estimate getting close to $1000. (for a more complete breakdown... MoneyBox/DensityAnalysis]

Some ideas for moneyboxen...

• Mac classic case. Many have been turned into fishtanks, but with a gutted interior and a money-slot behind the handle, this could be a very nice 8+litre box. Turn the display into a picture frame...
  • Out of sight score: 7/10
  • Withdrawal difficulty: 7/10
• (mini)tower computer case: This proved easier than anticipated to accomplish. A case with a 3.5" floppy slot, and some plumbing pipes to connect together internally. Also, one plastic container to turn into a coin slide, and some duct tape.

http://www.nut.house.cx/~nemo/albums/CaseNonMod/P1003333.thumb.jpg http://www.nut.house.cx/~nemo/gallery/CaseNonMod Note that my estimate on this is that it contains 2-3 litres.

• • Out of sight score: 9.5/10
  • Withdrawal difficulty: 7/10 (the case can be taken from the rack, cover removed and money withdrawn without effecting the continued operation of the computer. This is due to my making sure that the power, network and other cables were of adequate length)
• Office Water cooler bottle: This is a nice 15litre sized behemoth. However, it is transparent and has an easy handle, so loses counts on both "Out of sight" and "difficulty" scores.
  • Out of sight score: 4/10 (higher if covered)
  • Withdrawal difficulty: 5/10 (higher if secured down)

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So, how the hell do you go about filling a moneybox that big?!

Read about it on the MoneyBox/Rules of the moneybox.