Merkel reflected momentarily, then had the gift quickly tucked away in a box. Photos of the piggy-bank chancellor are not exactly what she most urgently needs right now. In fact, for the past few days, she has endeavored to put a more friendly face on her image as the strict belt-tightening politician who is forcing Europe to adhere to Germany’s budgetary discipline dictates.
Merkel's euro strategy is under fire, and she has lost one ally after the next in recent weeks. In the Netherlands, her most loyal follower, Prime Minister Mark Rutte, has submitted his resignation. In Frankfurt, European Central Bank President Mario Draghi has demanded that Merkel’s cost-cutting strategy be supplemented by a “growth pact.” And in Paris, Socialist Party presidential candidate Franois Hollande has announced that, if he wins the run-off election this coming Sunday, he intends to lead the European opposition against Merkel. “So many people in Europe are waiting for our victory,” he said. “I don’t want a Europe of austerity, where nations are forced on their knees.”
Well, “rainy day” is also a metaphor. I’m not talking about the real wet rainy days of summer time. Here, “rainy day” stands for any unexpected situation in future under which some extra money may be needed, an unexpected injury or illness, for instance, and subsequent hospitalization. To save for a rainy day is for you to put money aside in advance lest you get caught unprepared when that day comes.
“My 7-year-old son asked for a bicycle. I told him that he would get his gift only if he saved Rs 100 per month from his pocket money. I don’t need that money to buy his bicycle. But he should understand that gifts don’t just walk in when he wants,” says Mr Sirohi.
Here are two media examples involving the piggy bank:
Anyways, piggy bank is the phrase to grasp here. The piggy bank is a container shaped in the form a little pig into which children put coins as their savings. Hence, when people talk about going to the piggy bank, they are talking about utilizing small savings they have put together on the side over time.
She is determined to stick by her strategy. But now when she talks about the euro crisis, instead of focusing solely on “structural reforms” and “stability,” she has also started to refer to “growth” and “jobs.”
Or you can save the money via the piggy bank, as children do.
You can open a savings account at the regular bank, or you can put the money under the mattress.
- Help your child learn financial discipline, IndiaTimes.com, August 20, 2010.
2. German Chancellor Angela Merkel stood behind a podium at the DZ Bank at Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate, gazing sullenly into the cameras. She had just received the wrong prop for a photo op, and she needed to get it out of sight as quickly as possible.
My comments:
We identified a couple of parents who understand the need to impart financial wisdom and implement some techniques to teach their little ones.