Friday, November 9, 2007

Talk to a financial advisor today to begin a savings plan.



Exploding piggy-bank aims to scare Japanese into saving

TOKYO (AFP) - Greying Japan has a new weapon to scare people into saving for their retirement -- an exploding piggy bank.

The "Savings Bomb," which goes on sale in Japan next week, "explodes" and scatters coins if users fail to save for a long time, toy manufacturer TOMY Co Ltd said Thursday.

The battery-powered toy -- designed as a cartoon-style, ball-shaped black bomb with a skull and crossbones logo -- lights up, makes a noise, shakes violently and scatters coins if it is not topped up for a long time.

"Users must pick up and collect the scattered coins and reflect on their laziness," the Japanese company said.

Japan has the world's oldest population and one of the lowest birthrates, raising fears of a future demographic crisis with a smaller pool of workers financially supporting a growing number of elderly.

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/afp/071108/oddities/lifestyle_japan_toy_offbeat

Would be a fun gift, just don't tell them it explodes.

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