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Sealed Pot Challenge ~ 16

Sue-UU
Sue-UU Posts: 9,613 Forumite
Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
edited 30 January 2023 at 3:34PM in Debt-free wannabe challenges
PLEASE READ THROUGH THE RULES AND THE CHANGES FROM NOW ON!
 
 A very warm welcome to another Sealed Pot Challenge, our 16th!
 
I must admit to it being a worry of what to do about SPC for the last couple of years given the Corona virus and all the changes it's brought to us, not to mention the world. However, due to a lot of our lovely SPC friends giving their thoughts and enthusiasm, and our "Westie" who runs the Virtual SPC saying she doesn't mind, bless her, I see no reason why we can't keep SPC going! It looks mighty like Covid 19 will be around here for a long while, though I sincerely hope not.  We've been doing SPC for 15 years now and it's no fault of ours that Covid 19 has mucked things up. However, now we also have to COL crisis, it's made potting, or any kind of saving doubly hard, but at least we've all done exceptionally well all things considered this year!!
I suggest we all save in the best way possible for each of us: if some still prefer to stick to cash, then do so. Those wishing to use debit cards, or save via the bank itself, please do so, though not by extortionate amounts as that's not the way we save. Personally, due to many shops still not  wishing to deal with cash, I manage to transfer from our bank account to what I refer to as our SPC account

For all newcomers...Old Timers too - it's so very important to please read through this entire post to see what the SPC is all about, including the declaration date as well as our re-opening date etc.. However, if you haven't already done so, please be sure to join the MSE forum in order to be able to join the challenge. For ALL SPC members, please chat away regularly about your conquests, money-saving ideas etc, it gives encouragement to all, including ourselves as it keeps us motivated to save stronger and gives even more ideas of how to save.

For all newcomers - a really huge welcome! We're a great 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. Pop on the thread and tell us you'd like to join, then start saving straight away and become part of our saving family. You will very soon be welcomed aboard, but don't worry if you have to wait a day or so.

The idea is to save as much as possible throughout the year until the end of October, when we open our pots on or by Thursday the 26th October 2022, NO LATER! 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 pot the difference 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 it.

Firstly: Get yourself a pot, and remember - it doesn't need to cost much - if anything! Please kindly avoid plastic, thank you. With the emphasis being on saving money, your pot doesn't need to cost anything, a used sweet tin, coffee jar etc..are 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. If you wish, you can always take advantage of finding a cheap pot in the sales after Christmas.

Terrimundi pots are available in many shops and online, they're very attractive and another ready sealed way to save, and though manufacturers and retailers would have you believe differently, you DO NOT need to smash them to remove your cash!! I've used mine for 15 years...and at the end of each year's challenge, hubby and I used to have a whale of a time, doing things the 'old' way by tilting the pot and using a knife! 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.

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, better still, turn them upside down and get the cash out as advised above with Terramundi.

The term roadkill = any money found on pavements, parks etc; even in car parks or on shop floors etc, however, if you've seen it dropped by another shopper - PLEASE give it to her/him!!

NB. A few notes of interest.

1/ Money from a part-time job or anything similar is ok to be saved. Any money saved via Christmas Clubs can also be used in your SPC Totals or included when declaring, 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, Surveys 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. Also, the 1p challenge can be declared. 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. However, doing a little job for Mrs Bloggs can be included. 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 far 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/ If you wish, you can ask me to put a Target on for you to try to meet (it's put in black ink with brackets alongside your name and number on the 2nd post below) but it's not necessary. If you do set one, but are unable to meet it, don't worry, at least you 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; after potting it  we naturally forget each amount and.... wait for the surprise at the end of the year!!! 
 
3 a/ If you are hoping for a particular amount by Declaration Day but still want a nice surprise come October, work out what amount you would like to save, then work out how much you will need to pot on a weekly/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 October!

4/ SPC is a challenge to see how much we can save in a year for Christmas 2023. However, over the last 14 years we've had some members who have needed theirs at times throughout the year for bills, debts etc, 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, plus you can still include what you needed to take out on Declaration Day, after all, you had 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 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 each of us receives 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 or by 26th October, NO LATER! 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 just ask.

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 or before the 26th October NO LATER to declare those Totals to us.
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 to remind them to include it when they declare.
7/ KEEP YOUR POT or POTS SAFE and out of sight of others!! If you hide it, be sure to remember where you put it!!

8/ "Holding Pots": To anyone concerned about putting money into their pot - only to possibly need 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?": Most banks will accept them providing you have an account with them. 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 26th October will lose their numbers and be removed from the list. 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 for one reason of another, can't or don't wish to keep it up,or forget all about it,  but that then leaves us with a list of holes in the membership list which makes things very difficult indeed. Any saving members won't be at all worried about this - however, if missing members remember, then - come on back and ask for another number, you will always be be more than welcome!
On the post below is a list of members and their numbers, always put your No on your signature please, that makes life so much easier for me and my DH when counting up all Totals. In December or thereabouts we declare the Grand Total of ALL that we members have collected, and what a terrific sight that is! Please declare your savings on or before the 26th October - NO LATER please!

Once again, we've just had an amazing year, let's keep it up and see what we can achieve this year, in spite of Covid! Good luck everyone and save well!!

PLEASE take note everyone Thursday 26th Oct is the closing date for 2023 - NO LATER, PLEASE!.
 
 
Sue

NB folks: Opening date for SPC 14 is on or before 26th October 2023 - NO LATER, PLEASE! 
Anyone wishing to join us, it's NEVER too late!  So please just ask and you will be made very welcome.

Sealed Pot Challenge 001 My Totals = 08 = £163.95 09 = £315.78 10 = £518.80 11 = £481.87 12 = £694.53 13 = £1200.20! 14 = £881 15 = £839.21 16 = £870.48 17 = £871.52 18 = £800.00 19 = £851.022021=£820.26[/SizeGrand Totals of all members (2008 uncounted) 2009 = £32.154.32! 2010 = £37.581.47! 2011 = £42.474.34! 2012 = £49.759.46! 2013 = £50.642.78! 2014 = £61.367.88!! 2015 = £52.852.06! 2016 = £52, 002.40!! 2017 = £50,456.23!! 2018 = £47, 815.88! 2019 = £38.538.37!!!! :j
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