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Second Purse Challenge Thread #2
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Hi there,
This is a continuation of the thread that Kerri_dfw started at the beginning of 2012.
Please take some time to read how Mothership's second purse system works, and feel free to ask any questions you may have. We love to help
For those following the original thread if okay with you, shall we keep a track of our totals in our own signatures? I will list the original members in the next thread. Please let me know if you wish to be removed - thanks :A
This is a continuation of the thread that Kerri_dfw started at the beginning of 2012.
Please take some time to read how Mothership's second purse system works, and feel free to ask any questions you may have. We love to help

For those following the original thread if okay with you, shall we keep a track of our totals in our own signatures? I will list the original members in the next thread. Please let me know if you wish to be removed - thanks :A
Cross-stitch WIP: Fiver Friday challenge 2025 founding member 😊 Read 25 books in 2025 11/25 Currently reading The Cliff House by Amanda Jennings
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Second Purse Challenge 2012
I thought I'd compile a thread for anyone wanting to start motherships second purse system as a challenge
If you wish to sign up then state what your dream item that you will buy with your saved £'s will be and how much it costs. I will allocate you a number and as your 3rd purse grows I will update the total until you post to say that you have achieved your dream item and would like to set a 2nd dream item as your next target
How the 2nd purse works:
Second purse example spreadsheet
If you'd like to do the 2nd purse challenge it's really quite simple and you can start small. You can even download a copy of the above spreadsheet for your own use, or use your own or even paper and pen.
For this to work effectively, imagine you are two people, firstly a shopkeeper, secondly a customer. Your 2nd purse is the shop till, your 1st purse is your grocery budget, the 3rd purse is the cash office where the money is stored when there's too much in the till before being spent or saved.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mothership
This is how the 2nd Purse works1st Month
Add £10. Spend £10 on offers B1G1F or Half Price.
Your Stock is worth £20.
You use £5 worth, that’s what you pay back, your stock is worth £15
2nd Month
Add £10 to the £5 you paid back, you now have £15 to spend on offers.
Spend £15, your stock is now worth £ 45
If you use £10 worth, and pay that back when you get paid.
You will have £10 in 2nd Purse. £35 of stock
3rd Month
Add £10 to the £10 you paid back, you now have £20 to spend on offers.
Spend £20 , your stock is now worth £75
If you use £20 worth, and pay it back when you get paid.
You will have £20 in 2nd Purse. £55 of stock
4th Month
Add £10 to the £20 you paid back, you now have £30 to spend on offers.
Spend £30 , your stock is now worth £115
If you use £25 worth, and pay it back when you get paid
You will have £25 in 2nd Purse . £90 of stock
5th Month
Add £10 to the £25 you paid back , you now have £35 to spend on offers.
Spend £35, your stock is now worth £160
If you use £30 worth , and pay it back when you get paid
You will have £30 in 2nd Purse. £130 in stock.
6th month
Add £10 to the £30 you paid back. You now have £40 to spend on offers
Spend £40, your stock is now worth £210
If you use £40 worth, and pay it back when you get paid.
You will have £40 in 2nd Purse. £170 in stock.
7th month
Add £10 to the £40 you paid back. You now have £50 to spend on offers
Spend £50, your stock is now worth £270
If you use £50 worth, and pay it back when you get paid.
You will have £50 in 2nd Purse. £220 in stock
8th month
Add £10 to the £50 you paid back. You now have £60 to spend on offers
Spend £60, your stock is now worth £340
If you use £60 worth, and pay it back when you get paid.
You will have £60 in 2nd Purse. £280 in stock.
I think this is the easiest way to show how the 2nd Purse works, you don’t always spend all money in the 2nd Purse every month. So I’ve not allowed for that, or that some of you already had a good starting stock.
The 2nd Purse is the working part of the idea, don’t be afraid to spend this on bargains. Let it flow.
I know some of you don’t want to PAY full price for anything, even to yourself.
As long as you got it at a good price to start with. That’s what you’ve paid. That amount can never go up.
Remember once the money goes into the 2nd Purse it can only make you stronger, more money , more stock = Less of your hard earned money going to the SM.
Once they have it its lost, if you have it, whether in stock or in the purse , you STILL
have it!
The idea works because the money your making is going round and round, Spend £10 make £10, spend £20 make £20, spend £40 make £40. And so on. You are re-investing your savings in YOU!
When you have a set amount in your 2nd purse, mine's £100, then you move anything over this into the 3rd purse to save up and spend as you choose
Mothership's 2nd Purse system - check out these posts
Please read the two posts for the weekly shop example to get a good idea how Mothership has managed to cut her weekly grocery shop using the 2nd purse system
Motherships typical weekly shop example post 1
Motherships typical weekly shop example post 2
My other purse
Purse/Bank
tip 1
2nd Purse
Bogofs etc
more info
Useful Links
Grabbits board
Food Shopping & Groceries
Shop but don't drop
Donald Russell for bulk meat (links to motherships post) - free delivery code = win12e1530
Camelcamelcamel to check for price fluctuations in the rainforest
mysupermarket to check the big 5 for prices
Just Linen discount excellent quality beddingCross-stitch WIP: Fiver Friday challenge 2025 founding member 😊 Read 25 books in 2025 11/25 Currently reading The Cliff House by Amanda Jennings0 -
List of participants and the items they've bought with their 3rd purse
#005 Mothership :j| Suzie's Cafe
#016 coxy11 :j | CAZCO | KitchenAid Candy Apple Red/Ski wear for the family/Nomination charms
#061 Skilly :j
#062 Mossy :j
#068 dollydog :j|Dolly's Emporium| £200
#069 Billie-jo :j
#070 alibo100 :j
#071 EstherH :j|Esther's Bagels|
#072 Always after a bargin :j
#073 Tenyearstogo :j|| Freezer
#074 lottie3000 :j|Cherry Corner|
#075 fuddle :j|The Cupboard Store| Bed
#076 hollieinbloom :j|Helen's Hoard|
#077 tattycath :j|Tatty's Shop|£500 for ChristmasCross-stitch WIP: Fiver Friday challenge 2025 founding member 😊 Read 25 books in 2025 11/25 Currently reading The Cliff House by Amanda Jennings0 -
I'll make this one a sticky now and move the old one to Gone Off.0
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Hi ,coxy11 thanks for starting second purse no 2 .sealed pot challenge number 31 3£496/4£706.75/5 £376.74/6 £645.08/ 7 £861.34 /8 £786.90/9£610.49/10 £722.03 / 16 £802.00/ 17 £1,300/18£..... gold star from sue 🌟0
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Thanks for starting the new threadI'm not a failure if I don't make it, I'm a success because I :tried!0
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Hi everyone,
I think it has taken me the longest time to get my head around the second purse challenge, but I think I finally got it.lol
I would like to invest 5 pounds per week, maybe 10.
Do I write this into my signature myself and update it or do I have to tell somebody on here about it?
Sorry, I am new.lolOld signature:OD 0/2000, CC 0/1500New signature:OD 0/2000, CC 1500/15000 -
Hello ej22 - not stalking you - honest
If you want I can allocate you the next number on the list. Let me know what your 'shop' is called if you have a name for it hehe and what you will buy with your savings
CoxyCross-stitch WIP: Fiver Friday challenge 2025 founding member 😊 Read 25 books in 2025 11/25 Currently reading The Cliff House by Amanda Jennings0 -
hi coxy, nice to see a familiar face.
My shop would be called Ebs please and I am saving up for Butlins,
thanksOld signature:OD 0/2000, CC 0/1500New signature:OD 0/2000, CC 1500/15000 -
just checking in :T1st Purse £114.19 Monthly GB:rotfl::j:wave::j:rotfl:
2nd Purse ££100Fridge Freezer £300 3rd Purse /£290.940 -
Hi all, No56 checking in, thanks for continuing the thread Coxy11
Rosy xThis is a system account and does not represent a real person. To contact the Forum Team email forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com0
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