ERNIT is a modern-day piggy bank with a digital heart.

ERNIT helps kids learn healthy financial habits like setting goals and understanding the process of achieving them. For parents, grandparents and caregivers, ERNIT sparks conversation about the wonders of saving and the value of money.

How does ERNIT work?

Using ERNIT is easy and fun. Families get the most out of ERNIT in just four steps:

1) Set a Goal

First, a child sets one or more financial savings goals using the ERNIT app for Apple or Android. The goals can be set for anything large or small: a teddy bear, a bicycle, a computer game or even a gift for charity.

2) Start to Save

Once the goals are set, friends and family can begin contributing to ERNIT by quickly and easily transferring money directly from their bank accounts. Children accept contributions by pressing the soft, oversized button on ERNIT’s snout.

3) Watch ERNIT Respond

Each time a deposit is made, ERNIT alerts the child that he or she is closer to reaching a savings goal by lighting up, blinking its eyes, and making happy sounds. The string of lights around ERNIT’s snout is a regular reminder of progress.

4) Celebrate Savings

The wait is over! When a goal is reached and ERNIT is all lit up, children can cash out by transferring the money to either a new ERNIT goal or to their external bank account.

What makes ERNIT special?

ERNIT makes digital money tangible.

Today’s parents grew up with piggy banks on the bedroom shelf, but the youngest generation of today is missing out on that special childhood relic. Apps and credit cards are making piggy banks seem obsolete and ERNIT is out to change that. By making digital money tangible, ERNIT enhances the learning experience.

ERNIT sparks conversations about money.

Children learn best through real-life versus virtual experiences, and with cash less frequently exchanged by hand, there are fewer hands-on opportunities for them to learn about money management. Parents can use the ERNIT app and the physical piggy bank to bridge the gap. ERNIT is a great conversation starter about family values and the importance of saving and thoughtfully spending money.

ERNIT teaches parents, too.

The ERNIT app gives parents access to helpful information such as the average age that other parents begin giving their children allowance, what other parents pay their children to do chores like taking out the trash, and inspiration for different ways to give allowance.

ERNIT is quite the stylish pig.

ERNIT was designed by Kilo, a design firm founded by celebrated Danish industrial designer and father of three Lars Larsen. Kilo drew inspiration from the traditional piggy bank while adding a modern twist. ERNIT will launch in white to bring a stylish touch to any nursery or child’s room. Future colors include pink and dark grey.

Where can I find ERNIT?

ERNIT is available in white on Kickstarter starting at $59, which is 50 percent off the retail price. Kickstarter campaign: www.kickstarter.com

Watch the official Kickstarter video here: www.youtube.com