Sealed Pot Challenge ~ 11

32b3in2013

Westie983 wrote: »

Yes it was a rule added when the overdraft changes came in in November, there are signs in the branches and the staff have been updated, that said if you came to me I would pay them in, if you had lugged 10 bags to the bank I wouldn't turn you away, but the rule is 5 bags.

It used to be 5 bags, then they removed it to any amount, and then must have realised that it was causing lots of extra admin to send all the coin back, so its back to 5 bags again.

Westie983

thanks Westie, looks like i'll have to sort out another account before the beginning of November :mad:

166million

Hi everyone
Thanks for my star sue uu
I am hoping for some potting action soon...!

VickyA_2

Good evening everyone :hello:

DH slipped up and left 50p lying around. Happy days! It was duly potted. On top of that, a bit more shrapnel has gone into the pot. Think it was around £1. Slowly but surely we'll get there!

32b3in2013

Evening

£4.28 potted today

32b3

e4rub

Evening potters!

Not posted for a bit but have still been potting!
Just cleared out my purse and potted £3.92

Hope you are all ok

Emily

AntoMac

£50,000 + in SPC 10 - Great effort everyone :T

Thanks as always Sue for keeping us motivated.

Sticking a few pounds in today. Still not doing enough potting at the moment but will get my backside in gear soon hopefully.

Dragon_Lily

Not much potting this week but 50p went into the pot yesterday. Feeling a bit skint since Christmas and pay day isn't until the end of next week, so tightening the old belt a bit

On the good side - I'm still walking to work, so saving money and keeping fit :j:

Jaydee92

Sold a toy that has been collecting dust under the stairs for way too long, £7.50 potted :j my husband said he has been chucking change in too.

Sue-UU

Hello again Potters and welcome aboard to any new members, I never thought we would have been running THIS long, but here we are starting off with "SPC "No 11"!!! Where have all the years gone since it first began, apparently very fast for sure! It's very hard to believe that we have now been running for a full decade and are now on the way into our 11th year!!!! We've had 10 amazingly money-saving years, but it's all purely because of the determined saving of you all - many thanks to you amazing folk who have made SPC what it is!!


For all newcomers...yes "Old Timers" too - it's so very important to please read through this entire post to see what the SPC is all about, dates for counting up and our re-opening date etc.. However, please be sure to Join the forum first in order to be able to join the challenge - if you haven't already! For ALL SPC members, please chat away on this SPC 10 thread about your conquests, money-saving ideas etc from Post 4 (below) onward, it gives encouragement to all, including yourselves as it keeps the motivation to save far stronger.

For all newcomers - a really huge heartfelt welcome! We're a terrific bunch who just adore greeting more members to the flock. Please read through this entire post and you'll be aware of why SPC is so special. You all settle in straight away and become part of our saving family!

The idea is to save as much as possible throughout the following year until just before Christmas - which this year will be to open our pots on Thursday the 1st November 2018. We save it in pots that we've pre-sealed to stop us being tempted to open them. Any spare cash can be put away, every day/week/month, whatever is best for you. If you have change left over after you've been shopping - pop it in the pot! After all why not! However small the change...the likelihood is that it won't be missed, and might otherwise have been wasted!

Most of us put in the difference in that we've been saved on special offers etc, it's all saved at the shop so it makes sense to save it in the pot to mount up!

Below are the basics for making your pot and sealing.

Firstly: Get yourself a pot, and remember - it doesn't need to cost much - if anything. If money's tight then use any pot for now, I.e. A sweet tin, coffee jar..extremely MSE!! Next - seal it with sellotape and be sure to make a slit in the lid, big enough for a 50p to go in, that way all coins will fit in. Later on, if you wish, you can always take advantage of finding a cheap pot in the sales after Christmas, or put one you fancy on your Christmas list! You can always buy ready sealed tins from reasonably priced shops! They're usually about a POUND from a £ store!!

It can also be interesting and challenging to make yourself a Papier Mach! Pig (or any animal) etc by using Frugaldom's recipe by clicking here then going to Post No. 597 of SPC 1 or by going to a totally separate thread papier mach! Animal here. Many thanks to Frugaldom.

After selecting your pot, seal round the lid with sellotape or superglue if necessary. Again, be sure to make a slit in the top that is the right size for a 50p to go in! NB. If you make a Papier Mach! Pot you will need to "operate" on it at the end of each challenge! Still, you can always have the pleasure of making a new one towards the end of the year, or getting the kiddies involved - if you're the daring type! The mind could run riot with what to model!

Terrimundi pots are available in many shops and on-line, they're very attractive and another ready sealed way to save, and though the manufacturers and retailers would have you believe differently, you DO NOT need to smash them to remove your cash!! I've used mine for 10 years...and at the end of each year's (since 2009 when I graduated from a carton!) challenge, hubby and I have a whale of a time, doing things the 'old' way by tilting the pot and using a knife! Though, a few years ago DH bought a 12" steel ruler in from the shed which is thin and broad and perfect for the job. So be assured that, so long as you go carefully, you CAN use them again and again....unless you drop the darned things!! They are costly though, but this is where your Christmas list comes in handy, though always keep a look out in charity shops too!

Regarding the Sealed Cans many of you use, apparently the best way to open the sealed tins is, rather than using a tin opener, squeeze the side of the tin, where the seam meets and you can pop the seal and tip the money out that way.

The term roadkill = any money found on pavements, parks etc; even in car parks or on shop floors etc.

NB. A few notes of interest.

1/ Any money given as a gift (other than Birthdays, Christmas etc) i.e.. Inherited can not be included as savings. Likewise any money put directly into the bank cannot be counted as savings with SPC. Money from small second jobs is ok, such as cleaning for Mrs Bloggs down the road/ taking in ironing, a part-time job or anything similar is ok to be saved. Any savings saved via Christmas Clubs can also be used in your SPC Totals, it's another way of saving for Christmas after all. Money received from cashback sites such as Quidco, topcashback etc can be included in your pots. Likewise, any money made from sales on E-Bay, Facebook or similar can be saved.

Also it is possible to include all other savings from MSE Challenges with your SPC Totals i.e. the £2 Challenge as, apparently they aren't put down on the challenge threads themselves. If you're unsure, please ask on the thread, and remember - there's no so thing as a stupid question!

Second incomes can come in many varied and very lucrative guises and anything such as that would be unfair to other members. Mostly the SPC is a challenge to see how much we can save during the year...mostly it's relatively small amounts which are saved from wages, housekeeping, good budgeting etc. Remunerations via the letting of second homes cannot be included in the SPC.

2/ Whenever you're in the dilemma of "ooh should I buy that?" If you don't need it, but just want it - leave it there and pot the cash instead, you'll be much more satisfied with the accomplishment, pleased with your self-discipline too. All too often, if I go back a second time I find I didn't even like whatever it was anyway.

3/ You can ask me to put a Target on for you to try to meet (it goes alongside your name and number on the 2nd and 3rd posts below) but it's not necessary. If you do set one, but are unable to meet it, it doesn't matter at all, at least you will have tried! A few people keep account of all they save, but most of us count what we save daily or weekly, then put it on the thread to help encourage others.... Ourselves too, then we pot it and forget about it and.... wait for the surprise at the end of the year!
If you are hoping for a particular amount by Declaration Day but still want a nice surprise come November, work out what amount you would like, then work out how much you will need to save (pot) on a weekly or monthly basis in order to achieve it. Save that sum regularly as well as potting any spare change after shopping, that way you are bound to come out on top and have a surprise come November!

4/ Mainly SPC is a challenge to see how much we can save in a year for Christmas 2017. However, over the last 9 years we've had some members who needed theirs at sometime throughout the year for bills, and personally I'd far sooner they take the cash out for that than pay more interest or...miss a due date! You can always start again, even if it's getting later in the year, you can even include what you needed to take out on Declaration Day, after all, you will have saved it!! Whatever you need to do, don't worry about it - be happy and proud you have saved!

Please don't worry about the amounts others save! We are all individuals with such varying jobs/incomes, each with different expenditures and commitments etc so while some find saving a real struggle for others it's obviously easy. However, it's the pleasure we all receive from our personal potting results - whatever you manage to pot, be happy with it, and be proud!!!!

5/ If you wish to save for something special, a holiday, wedding etc then please do so, just please remember to declare it on November 1st. The most important thing, is that you are saving ...and hopefully not tempted to take it out unnecessarily.

If anyone has any other queries, then please sing out...though not too loudly.....you might shatter your pot/s!

6/ At the end of the year (or when we've saved for what we wish) count up all your money saved and declare your Total either by waiting until the declaration date - or (if you've needed your cash for other things - by putting your Total on your MSE signature to remind you to include it in your full Total; that particularly applies to those using their money for holidays etc, but PLEASE remember to return to the thread on the 1st November to declare those Totals to me.

Some members prefer not to keep too much money in the house and count theirs up every now and then to bank it, in which case they always pop the amount banked on their MSE signatures.

7/ KEEP YOUR POT or POTS SAFE!! If you hide it, be sure to remember where you put it as it wouldn't be the first time that members have forgotten where they've hidden it!

8/ "Holding Pots": To anyone concerned about putting money into their pot...then possibly needing it later in the week/month: Why not use an unsealed pot or purse as a "holding pot" and pop the money in there first each day/week/month - then, if it's not needed (for car parking costs, little Johnnie's school trip etc) - put it in your Sealed pot so it stays put. Do that each week and it'll save you taking money from the bank. Discipline yourself to only take what's needed though!

9/ "Where to take bags of cash at the end of the year?": With regards to this all important question, here's vital help from girl at play: "I bank with Bank of Scotland and they accept as many change bags as you have, as long as you take them to the business banking counter." Thank you so much GAP, it's so handy for members to know. This applies to many banks, I suspect most banks/building societies are the same if truth be known. Remember also that most banks have counting machines, so any of you who really don't like counting money, take them in and let the machine do the counting for you; you'll get a receipt which you then take to the counter. PLEASE - DON'T EVER CHANGE IT IN ONE OF THE COINSTAR MACHINES AT THE ENTRANCES OF SUPER MARKETS.... THEY WILL TAKE AROUND 10% OF YOUR MONEY!!!!!!!!!

10/ Members who do not return by the end of November of any year will sadly now lose their numbers as, many people who sign up to the challenge then don't bother returning! To be fair, I think a lot get swept up in the excitement of it all, but then, for one reason of another, can't or don't wish to keep it up, but that then leaves me with a long list of non savers on the list which makes things very difficult over time. Any saving members won't be at all worried about this - but if those 'defaulting' (bad word, but...!) members remember, then - come on back and ask for another number, you will always be be more than welcome!

On the 2 posts below is a list of members and their numbers, always display your No on your signatures please, that makes life so much easier for me and my DH when counting up all of our Totals. In December or thereabouts I declare the Grand Total of ALL that we members have collected, and what a terrific sight that is! Please declare your savings ASAP on or close to the 1st November please.

Just a quiet word of warning to all those in the Cambridge area - forget ever thinking of looking for roadkill there as jakes-mum will even tackle you the ground to get to it first! Though, how about challenging her!!

Once again, we've just had a fantastic year, let's keep it up and see what we can achieve this year. Good luck everyone and save well!!

PLEASE take note everyone Thursday 1st Nov is the closing date for 2018, the day we declare what we've saved on the thread, kindly declare your monies saved within 2 weeks of the 1st, thank you kindly.

Anyone wishing to join us please post on the thread to ask and I'll give you a number and an official welcome so you can join in the fun......and please do note that...time means any time of year!

It's Never Too Late To Join Us! and You Never Need To Re-join....well, unless you stop visiting us in November! However.......you can always return to the fold and be made very welcome!

Many thanks for reading, Sue

Sue-UU

001 Sue-UU
002 jakes-mum
003 Purplemumof2
004 LizzieWb
005 Evertheoptimist (£200)
006 tantarazara
007 Di-Dough
008 Buffythedebtslayer (£250)
009 TheMsTeal
010 cdm
011 mummytummy
012 dustydigger
013spiffyiffy

014 Littlebigmoose
015 missjec
016 Princess Money Penny
017 iammumtoone

018 moneytree
019 CavendishWobble

020 kezbabybabe
021 clairebear81
022 urg123
023 Chutney86

024 ruby_Eskimo

025 babs 123
026 Lost2
027 skilly

028 lucyhope
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030 Whatshername

031 grandmasam

032 rockabillygirl

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035 xpf

036 chickadee

037 simplelivingislandlife

038 Fiasco55

039 klbooth
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041 blue_eyed_girl

042 peaceandfreedom

043 3forholidays
044 Owen1991

045 twigletsmum
046 AntoMac (£700)

047 Milly-Ann-Molly

048 curly33 (£300)

049 HoneyBee83

050 nu1isit?

051 mumof3plusoh

052 LAM2011

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055 nanto3girls

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072 Nicki_Sue

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075 julie toots

076 Daddybear85

077 getting-there-slowly

078 minmac
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080 TheDapster

081 boobiebonboo

082 Saver88

083 mossy

084 Moominmama76

085 donna dynamo

086 Fairyfingers

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088 matt_66

089 DreamerHelen

090 nic14271213

091 motivated

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093 muppets

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095 sexyshark

096 Lynsey (£600)

097 Westie983

098 just trying

099 gilly41

100 mrs-moneypenny

101 beccah

102 Sara_uk1

103 Happybeingme

104 Seaotter

105 Dragon Lily (Target £229)

106 Rose Garden

107 Cutcostsandsave

108 Pinkwhisk

109 savings my hobby

110 debbie_debt

111 brokeapproaching30

112 MrsC....tobe

113 dinglefoot

114 3431Anna

115 Cinders:

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124 Kayteehee

125 32b3in2013

126 Thrifty Fashionista

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133 hummingbird

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136 claireyfairy82
137 Keedie
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140 Moneysavingmomma

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144 loxxee
145 cameron100
146 kjp
147 Loveactually
148 Mrs Cheshire
149 purple angel
150 heyjude2013
151 DueMarch11
152 DellyC
153 VickyA (1,000)
154 mrsbee
155 Saver-upper
156 dejuz8
157 Chrysalis1976
158 Pinkylds
159 glassy2010

160 Goldiegirl
161 Habiboo

162 larlie
163 deldee
164 joowoo

165 Cambsgirl
166 shiningfaery
167 aceystay
168 joee
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170 nicky200991
171 gotogo

172 newlifeahead
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174 katmum

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176 MrsBrownBear
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178 Kate_fixing_it
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180 Scottish Lassie
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182 CommitedToChange
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185 Jumps
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188 KittyBoo
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190 Newsavings
191 araminta
192 siju
193 Pickle29

194 addicted2shopping

195 Pee
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197 K.Mack

198 dysonCatherine
199 MeenaM
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202 Niknak1
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204 tokicat
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206 gingermomma
207 helencal80
208 MalhamCat
209 e4rub
210 Maisie M

211 millionaire-to-be
212 nikki2002-2008
213 JustKaren
214 bellevie
215 evuka
216 girlatplay
217 Tiggyw00
218 L1bby
219 kelz84

220 Observer
221 Miz Gayle
222 Bambisbelle
223 ToniLiz
224 amymackox
225 Cauliflower
226 **sparkles**
227 debtfreeoneday
228 TattyG
229 tracy6697
230 Suziebabe
231 floella80
232 Indie Kid
233 fishcakes
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235 chocalicious
236 Poepue
237 Foreverdreaming2014
238 superrhinos
239 amiehall
240 greenanne
241 debtfree2014
242 bubbs (£450)

243 Eljhem
244 TheScarletPixie
245 husky23

246 Electricblue
247 katiecat
248 CariadsNewStart
249 Gwengeth15

250 stormbreaker

251 nows the time
252 Richy23

253 stebo730

254 lynnsey30
255 nowpanicking
256 Pinkpenguin

257 Monkeyballs

258 Gav-lar
259 dazzaofdagenham

260 Giggles86
261 samtoby
262 TriBadger
263 pantherchick

264 princess-angelica
265 CapricornLass
266 Midgie
267 tom07
268 maccag
269 pinknfluffy28
270 debtisgoing
271 pinkie_pie
272 mooomin
273 RedVelvet
274 abbylou
275 emmlouie
276 bmma
277 Jubilee76
278 trudij
279 Cash4AnnyQ
280 Ryan_f
281 Dincanada
282 peony40
283 moneymanager

284 amberfinn53

285 Katey1980

286 noodledoodle78
287 Tinker.bell
288 Mystikia
289 debtdawg
290 blissfullydebtfreewannabe
291 Nikkiclaire
292 ellie1788
293 willowwispy
294 sparklyfee

295 cattysmum
296 summertea
297 NeroliJasmin
298 Kayleigh251186
299 becksxx
300 jaylee3