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Sealed Pot Challenge ~ 19
Sue-UU
Posts: 9,710 Forumite
PLEASE READ THROUGH THE RULES AND
THE CHANGES FROM NOW ON!
A very warm welcome to another Sealed Pot Challenge,
our 19th!
Due to the Cost Of Living, I suggest we all save in the best
way possible for each of us: if some still prefer to stick to
cash, then please 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 and it
works well.
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 Thursday the 22nd October 2026. 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, an empty 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 Christmas sales.
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 17 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.
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!!!
5/ If you wish to save for something special, a holiday, wedding etc then please do so, just please remember to declare it on October 22nd. 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 you'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 22nd October to declare those Totals to us, before if you wish, BUT NOT AFTER THE 22nd!
10/ Members who do not return BY ONE WEEK after closing date 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 gaps 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!
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 Thursday the 22nd October 2026. 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, an empty 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 Christmas sales.
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 17 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 see 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 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, PAD 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 a 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!
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 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, PAD 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 a 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 2024. However, over the last 18 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!
4/ SPC is a challenge to see how much we can save in a year for Christmas 2024. However, over the last 18 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 October 22nd. 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 you'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 22nd October to declare those Totals to us, before if you wish, BUT NOT AFTER THE 22nd!
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!
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 ONE WEEK after closing date 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 gaps 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 November or
thereabouts we declare the Grand Total of ALL that we
members have collected, and what a terrific sight that is!
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!!
Anyone wishing to join us at any time, it's NEVER too
late! So please just ask and you will be made very welcome.
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!!
Sue
NB folks: Opening
date for SPC 17 is 22nd October 2026 - before
if you wish... but NEVER AFTER THAT DATE !
Sealed Pot Challenge 001 My Totals SizeGrand Totals of all members[/B] (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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Comments
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012 cdmMembership List
001 Sue-UU
002 jakes-mum
003 Peony40
004 Frogletina
005 Antomac
006 mummytummy
007 32b3in2013
008 Buffythedebtslayer
009 siju
010 JynErso (£500)
011 Nintud013 BeyondDirect981014015 lucyhope016 Keedie017 LittleMissDetermined018 Lost2019 JellyB321020 MrsShazbat021 VickyA022023 Hettyhound024025 Milko026 SummerDays027 RavenRover029 sams247031 skilly032 MrsCautious034 ~FlowerPot~037 Madlyn038 Saver-upper
040
041 Makingaboro2
042 TheScarletPixie
044
045 RisingPhoenix1046 october82048
049
071 madlyn
078 rancid-a[/SIZE]Sealed Pot Challenge 001 My Totals SizeGrand Totals of all members[/B] (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
2 -
Hi all Sealed Potters!!!A very new Sealed Pot Challenge, and a very warm wecome to you ALL!!!Here's my very first £5 from our account to our SPC account. Fingers crossed I'll hopefully be saving more this year, depending on whatever happens in the Budget next MONTH.Take very great care folksGood luck everyone and save well!!SueNB folks: Opening date for SPC 19 is 22nd October 2026 - before if you wish... but NEVER AFTER THAT DATE !Anyone wishing to join us at any time, it's NEVER too late! So please just ask and you will be made very welcome.[/SIZE]Sealed Pot Challenge 001 My Totals SizeGrand Totals of all members[/B] (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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Morning all!
I'm excited to go again ☺️ I'm aiming for £500 this time and I'll hopefully be able to post more on here this year.JynErso (10)
SPC Challenge 18 £455.153 -
037 reporting for duty!!
this years target is to match last years, £244.93pSPC 0372 -
006 here as well, 1p left on windowsill will start my jar off 😊
Thank you Sue for continuing to keep us in line and keeping the SPC going 😊👏👏👏MFiT-T7 #17 (Jan 2025) £193k (Apr) £177k (July) £159k (Oct) £139,900 (Jan 2026)
SPC 19 #6 £6
Regular Saver A/C (24/25) £2800 (25/26) £
SPC’s (1)£27.19 (2)£728 (3)£1471 (4)£357 (5)£435.18 (6)£1114.92 (7)£1492 (8)£392 (9)£1952 (10)£1866.65 (11)£1177.74 (12)£1445.39 (13)£1608 (14)£603.30 (15)£672 (16)£2563 (17)£1300 (18)£353.50 (19)£2 -
Number 17 checking in for this year! £20 added today which is left over from my weekly cash budget.
I am changing how I do it this year and I will be doing just cash for SPC 19. This will be change as and when I get it and then any left overs from my cash budget allocation each week.
I think over the last few years I have proven to myself just how much I can save, and recently I have started using Starling to save for various trips, holidays and expenses like my car. So that will continue separately now they've been fed from this year's pot. I hope this makes sense, it was a crazy amount last year and I just need to wind it back a bit. Plus I REALLY enjoyed counting up the cash
Thanks
LMD xLife gets in the way...PADding is addictive...Saving's better than spending...My savings diary - Now for a healthier, wealthier me2025 1p challenge #41 | Cash envelope challenge #01 | SPC #017EF £1000/£1000 | Sabbatical £3677/£60004 -
Hello again everyone. Looking forward to another challenge. Already got the first few pounds in the pot. Feels sooo strange when it’s light and empty27/5/17 Mort 64705 BTs 1904031/12/17 Mort 59815 BT 1673007/04/20 Mort 49208 BT 1572128/07/20 Mort 47387 BT 1263414/11/20 Mort 45905 BT 10134 20/05/21 Mort 42335 BT 686811/08/22 Mort 32050 BT 2915Sealed Pot Challenge 16 Number 53
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I'm back too 😊 looking forward to another year of money saving. Good luck everyone xxSPC 19 - #0092
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A very warm welcome one and all members of Sealed Pot Challenge 19!
Hello SPCers! I hope you've all enjoyed a very good week.To all those of you who are poorly or low in any way, take very great care and get well soon. Very best wishes from us all here on SPC
Morning JynErso,It's so good knowing you're excited to be starting off again! I'll add a £500 Target alongside your name on the Members List, all the best with reaching it. It'll be good to see more of you this year. All the best. 😀Lovely to see you madlyn. All the very best in your hopes of reaching the same as 2025's! 😀Good to see you mummytummy and know you've a penny potted to get you going with!It's a pleasure to keep going with it I can assure you. I'll be looking out for your footprint so to speak. 😂Hi LMD, I didn't think it'd be long before you were here. Well done with your first £20.I'm not entirely sure what you mean about your new way of saving but just don't do it for our sakes, please.So long as your content that's all that matters.Your welcome, Sue xHello there Ant, and good to see you, so to speak. Well done with your first few pounds! I used to hate starting again with cash due to the very light feeling and sound. I miss counting up to. 😢 As we have our shopping delivered due to TS spine troubles and local shops still don't deal in cash 😡 it's difficult, but there you go. Good luck with the roadkill! 😂Lovely to see you Siju. It's amazing how everyone gets so excited at the declaration of the former thread, then the exact feelings when the new one starts. Good luck to you too!Have a Really WONDERFUL WEEKEND folks.SueDeclaration Day for SPC 0026 is October 22nd.............BEFORE --- BUT NO LATER, please!If anyone would like to join the thread, please just ask at anytime and you will be made very welcome![/SIZE]Sealed Pot Challenge 001 My Totals SizeGrand Totals of all members[/B] (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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Yes Sue I think we’ve all had to adapt how we pot nowadays I think. My potting is very much a mix of cash and online where it used to be cash only.
Another £3 in cash potted today. Pot still very light of course, but that should gradually change 27/5/17 Mort 64705 BTs 1904031/12/17 Mort 59815 BT 1673007/04/20 Mort 49208 BT 1572128/07/20 Mort 47387 BT 1263414/11/20 Mort 45905 BT 10134 20/05/21 Mort 42335 BT 686811/08/22 Mort 32050 BT 2915Sealed Pot Challenge 16 Number 52
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