Book update and rainy day play

Hello and I hope everyone had a great 4th of July weekend! Mine was busy, but it was great to spend time with my family. In terms of book news, I have lots of great things to report. My book has been picked up by The Edge magazine, and they are going to do a story and review of the book.

My book is also now available at The Kings English, a great local bookstore in Salt Lake. Thank you to all of you that submitted reviews on Barnesandnoble.com...we have had some technical difficulties the past few days trying to edit the information and getting it re-posted, but it should all be fixed soon.

Want to help? Go to your local book store and request the book, that way it will continue to gain extra exposure!

In penny news, my mom passed along this great little article from The Salt Lake Tribune back on January 9, 2009. The story was titled "Save those pennies for some rainy play" and it gave an ingenious idea to keep your kids busy on a rainy day. This tip, provided by Hilarie O'Connor, a mom of four children under six. Take two rolls of pennies, equalling 100 coins and hide them all over your house. You can designate certain amounts to certain rooms for your smaller children and leave the search open everywhere else for your older ones. Once hidden, let your kids start hunting for the coins. When they can't find any more, have them count their pennies. If it is less than 100, they have to keep searching until they get to the magic number.

What a great idea...I wish I would have thought of that sooner! Have a great week and keep those penny stories coming! You can send them to powerofapenny@gmail.com

Share your story: family tradition

Today's penny story was submitted by Bekah Hazen. This is a great story that reminds us it is the simple things in life that create some of the best memories.

My grandma is the definition of frugal. She collects buttons, reuses plastic bags and cuts napkins in half for Sunday lunch (only guests get a full napkin). But for all her resourceful ways, she always keeps penny's separate - saving them up in a decorative jar on a glass shelf in her hallway. When I was 9, the jar was purple... I remember watching the level of pennies rise week by week until finally, not one more could fit. As I was leaving her house that Sunday, she tucked the jar in my bag and told me to "get myself something special" - I was elated! I remember how special it felt to have a present, just for me, that my grandma had worked on for so long. The next week and new jar was up no the shelf and the collecting started again, this time a blue jar... and I began to understand. The next youngest in our family is my cousin, Walter, and he would be the lucky recipient once the jar was full. It was a simple tradition my grandma started, but sticks with me today... and every time I look at the purple jar on my shelf I think of her skill in making even the smallest items, such as a penny, such treasures in life.

It is still rainy here, so if you are looking for another rainy day activity, take old jam jars, tins, or boxes and decorate them to hold your change. Add your change regularly and watch your pennies grow until it is full. Use the money for a special treat, donate it to your favorite charity, or put it towards a family vacation.