Visualization...what would a million pennies look like?

Sometimes, when people talk in terms of millions, billions, trillions, and beyond, it is difficult to visualize just what that looks like. Whether referencing the speed of light or the amount of money in Bill Gate's bank account, sometimes those numbers are just unfathomable. While paroozing the Web searching for pennies, I stumbled upon this fun little site that actually visualizes what various quantities of pennies would look like.

If you are looking for a quick distraction this Friday afternoon, check it out.

http://www.kokogiak.com/megapenny/default.asp

Penny fact: the cost of pennies

Did you know that the production cost now exceeds the face value of the coin because of the continual increase in metal prices?

So just how much does it cost to make and distribute pennies? For the first time in history earlier this year, pennies cost more to make than their vale at 1.23 cents per penny. The USA today has a great article talking about the future of the penny (and the nickel) and the costs associated with producing the penny. The article states that the US Mint is one of the few government agencies still making money, which I found really interesting.

Curious to learn more? Check out the USA Today article here.

Share your penny story: Betty Peterson

Momentum continues to grow for my book, and I can't believe how far we have come...and just how far we have to go. Frost Bookstore, another local bookstore in Salt Lake, has agreed to carry my book. Located off of 2000 E and 2700 S. Frost is another staple in the Utah book scene. Added bonus-there is a snow cone place in the parking lot, so you can pick up my book and a yummy summer treat to curl up with to stay cool in this raging summer heat.

This weekend, the Deseret News did a review of my book. This is my first encounter with less-than 100% positive feedback for the story, and it kind of made me take a step back at first. I then remembered that although I have put so much into this story and it means the world to me, not everyone is going to feel the same way-and that is okay. I am excited that this review will give me extra exposure locally here in Salt Lake...I just hope that the readers of the review still give the book a chance. As they say in PR, any news is good news, so I am going to look at this as a positive.

Today's penny story comes to us from my mom, one of my biggest supporters. Some of my story actually is based on some of my mom's strong feelings about pennies and I want to share her story with you today.

" Many of us believe our loved ones who have passed on leave us pennies of remembrance. My sister and I agreed she would leave me a sign. I have found pennies in the strangest places and at the strangest times in my life and I always acknowledge Jo when I do with a 'Thank you.' The one time the pennies from Jo blew my mind was on my 70th birthday. My three daughters and I were on our way to lunch at Trolly Square Spaghetti Factory . It was a rainy April day and at the front door in a rain puddle were '7' pennies. It made

me a believer-she remembered."

My mom getting loves from my horse, Copper Penny

My mom is probably one of the biggest supporters of the notion that pennies come from heaven. Similar to the story I mentioned earlier last week, pennies give her the reassurance that Jo is with her, every step of the way.

A penny saved...

In more great book news, you can also now find my book at Sam Weller's Bookstore in downtown Salt Lake. I am so excited, because this is just another example of local Utah businesses that are helping support my book. If you are in downtown Salt Lake and are looking for a good read or a great bookstore experience, stop by Sam Weller's bookstore on Main St.

Here is a question for you. Do you know who said, "A penny saved is a penny earned?"

If you said Benjamin Franklin, you are correct!

I am so excited because my oldest son Alex is back from Europe and my nephew Will is coming up to Vernal for the night so I am excited to have a full house again. Have a great weekend and don't forget your sunscreen and to keep your eyes peeled for pennies!

Pennies from heaven...or not?

I think it is so interesting the expanisive amount of information, sayings, and stories tied to pennies. Today, we will see both sides of a common myth and let you decide. So, do pennies come from heaven...or not?

Margaret Thatcher, England's former Prime Minister once said, "Pennies do not come from heave. They have to be earned here on earth." While the concept of earning your keep shows us the importance of hard work, many have a different theory.

In the June 29th, 2009 issue of Women's World, There is a story titled, "My Guardian angel," and readers were able to share their stories. One story, titled "Pennies from Heaven," a reader shares how while helping her friend sell her mother's house after her passing, pennies kept showing up all over. While showing the house, the potential buyer found a whole handful of pennies, which helped both girls have a good feeling about the buyer.

Three years later, our reader was asked to help sell the house again. With the markets taking a turn for the worse, the woman didn't know if it was possible, but as she was leaving the house, she found a few pennies in the exact same spot she had years before, letting her know her friends mother was still watching over her and the house. Contrary to Margaret Thatcher, they belive, "if you find coins frequently, or in odd places, it's likely that someone you have lost is saying, 'Hello-I love you!' The angels say, 'Always trust the feelings and thoughts that accompany an unusual sighting of coins-they truly are pennies from heaven!' "

So, I guess that leaves it up to you to decide, and maybe, both are in fact true. Nothing can substitute for good hard work, but some times, pennies can be your guardian angel's way of letting you know they are there.

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

Change created by change

When I googled the power of a penny, many very interesting stories came up. I picked this video to share because it is attached to a great story about school children in New York that saved their pennies to help others during the holiday season. This video shows all of the pennies they collected and it is pretty impressive to see what kind of change can be made by children.

Enjoy and have a very safe and happy 4th of July.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9oWWcuF2CFI