If imitation is the greatest form of flattery, then I want to be like Oprah Winfrey.
For several years now, the talk-show host has thrilled audience members to the point of hysteria with her annual "Favorite Things" show, in which she talks about items she loves and then gives away exactly those things to people attending the taping.
I can't give away prizes the way Oprah does, but I can give you a list of my favorite financial things that would make great holiday gifts.
Here are a few of them:
• A piggy bank. This is still one of the best ways to teach children how to save and spend wisely. Every child should own a piggy bank. And I've found a few that I love.
The first is the Money Savvy Pig, a patented translucent bank created by Susan Beacham, a former private banker and co-founder of Money Savvy Generation. Beacham's company develops and sells products to help parents and educators teach kids basic personal finance principles.
Beacham is all about financial literacy for the young. For example, the Money Savvy Pig, appropriate for children 3 and older, has four chambers inside the bank labeled save, spend, donate and invest. It also comes with a small pamphlet with tips on helping your child understand the importance of saving, spending wisely, investing and giving to charity. In addition, the bank comes with a sheet of stickers to remind children of their specific goals, such as saving for a bike. This piggy bank comes in six colors and costs $14.99 ($1 more for clear with glitter), plus shipping and handling. To order online, go to www.moneysavvygeneration.com. Or call toll-free 866-390-5959.
The Sharper Image also has a cool piggy bank that isn't a pig at all. It's the 21st-century upgrade of the traditional piggy bank, the Talking Robot Bank. Yes, it talks. It also counts. It tells time. It has an attitude too -- one that I love.
The robot says such things as "I'm hungry, please fill me up" and "Don't forget to insert coins today" and "Please remember to save today."
The bank also recognizes and announces every coin you drop in its slot.
