About Piggy Kingdom
Last Tuesday, my 8-year-old actually asked me if he could put some of his birthday money into his savings goal instead of buying another toy. I nearly fell over. That never happened before. My friend Sarah from my mom’s group kept talking about this app she used with her kids, so I figured I’d give it a shot on my iPhone. I was just hoping for something simple to track our family’s “fun fund” for a summer trip. What I got was this whole little world of pigs that made my kids want to save. It’s been over a month now, and we check it together every Sunday. It doesn’t feel like a boring finance lesson, it feels like we’re all building something together, which is exactly what I wanted.
Features & Highlights
The best feature for us is the family goals. We created one called “Beach Trip” and all three of us—me, my son, and my daughter—can add to it. When one of them does a chore and earns a few dollars, they ask me to help them log it so their little piggy on the screen gets closer to the beach umbrella. It’s visual and they get it instantly. I also use the simple budget tracker for my own stuff, like groceries and gas. It sends these gentle, silly alerts. One popped up last week at the grocery store that said, “Psst! Your grocery piggy is getting full. Maybe skip the fancy cookies today?” It made me laugh and I actually put the cookies back. For the kids, they love the little daily quests, like “Log a saving deposit” to earn virtual badges. It turns a good habit into a tiny game, which is perfect for their age.
User Experience
Opening the app is cheerful, not intimidating. The colors are bright but not crazy, and everything is big and clear enough that my kids can point to their piggy without accidentally tapping something wrong. I was worried it would be complicated to set up, but it walked me through linking my bank account for my personal budget in plain English. The kids’ goals are completely separate and don’t need any bank info, which is a huge relief for safety. My daughter loves tapping on the different pigs to see them do a little dance. It’s those small, happy moments that make this feel different from any spreadsheet or serious budgeting app I’ve tried before. It’s built for real life, not for accountants.
Pricing
It’s free, which is a big deal for a family app. We haven’t paid a cent. All the important stuff—making savings goals, basic budgeting, the family sharing for one goal—is completely free. I see there’s a “Piggy Kingdom Pro” if you want fancy charts or special outfits for the pigs, but we haven’t felt any pressure to buy it. The free version doesn’t feel like a trial; it feels like a full, working app. For a parent trying to teach good habits without adding another subscription to the pile, it’s perfect.
Updates & Support
I haven’t had to contact support, which is a good sign. Looking at the reviews in the App Store, it seems like the developer, olleyo, is pretty active. They add new seasonal themes, like they just rolled out a “Summer Savings” challenge with new backgrounds. The app has updated a couple times since I downloaded it, always fixing little things. It feels like it’s being taken care of, which makes me trust it more for the long term with my family’s simple goals.
Security & Privacy
This was my biggest worry. I only linked my main checking account to track my personal spending categories. The app uses bank-level encryption and doesn’t store my login credentials—it uses a secure third-party service I’d heard of before. For the kids’ goals, that’s the best part: they don’t need to link to anything. Their savings goals are just pictures and numbers we update manually. I control it all from my phone. There’s a clear privacy policy that says they don’t sell your data. As a parent, knowing my kids’ financial habits (even pretend ones) aren’t being mined for ads or data makes me breathe easier. It feels safe.
How do family savings goals work in Piggy Kingdom?
You create a goal like 'Beach Trip,' and every family member can contribute to it. When kids earn money from chores, they log it in the app, and their little piggy moves closer to the goal, making saving visual and rewarding.
Can I use the budget tracker for my own expenses, like groceries?
Yes, the app includes a simple budget tracker for personal spending. It sends playful alerts, like reminding you to skip fancy cookies when your grocery piggy is full, which can help you stick to your budget.
My child accidentally added money to the wrong goal. How do I fix it?
You can easily adjust contributions by going into the goal details and editing the transaction. Just tap on the piggy, select the transaction, and move the funds to the correct goal or delete it if needed.
The app isn't syncing between my phone and my kid's tablet. What should I do?
First, make sure both devices are on the same family account and connected to the internet. If it still doesn't sync, try logging out and back in on both devices, or check for app updates in your settings.
How does Piggy Kingdom compare to other kids' savings apps like Greenlight?
Piggy Kingdom is more focused on visual, game-like motivation with piggy characters and daily quests, while Greenlight offers a full debit card and investing features. Piggy Kingdom is simpler and better for younger kids who just need to learn saving habits.
