A question about : "Sealed Pot Challenge" ~ 8
Ok folks, here we are with SPC No 8!!
For all newcomers, yes Old Timers too - it's important to please read through this entire post to see what the SPC is all about, dates of counting up day and re-opening day etc..
However, do be sure to Join the forum first in order to be able to join the challenge - if you haven't already!
To everyone else, please keep chatting about your conquests etc from Post 2 onwards, it gives encouragement to all.
Hello yet again all dedicated MSE Sealed Pot Savers! We're off again with yet another Sealed Pot Challenge No 7. We've had 7 wonderfully successful money-saving years, and it's purely through the determined saving of you all - many thanks to you amazing folk who have made this thread what it is!!
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 the whole of this post to see what the SPC is all about.
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 5th November 2014. 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 after you've been shopping - pop it in the pot! Why not...however small..the likelihood is that it won't be missed. Most of us put the difference in that we've been saved on special offers etc, it's all saved at the shop so makes sense to save it in the pot!!
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 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. Later on, if you wish, take advantage of finding one 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!! 
It can also be interesting and challenging to make yourself a Paper Mache pig (or any animal) etc by using Frugaldom's recipe by clicking here then going to Post No. 597 or by going to a totally separate thread papier mache 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 at least a 50p! NB. If you make a Paper Mache 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!
Anyone wanting to show a picture of their pot on the thread, please click here and go down to Post No. 2433 where jakes-mum has kindly given all the directions. Many thanks, jakes-mum, you're a gem.
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 you need to, you DO NOT need to smash them to remove your cash!! I've used mine for 5 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 year 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!! 
Regarding the Sealed Cans many of you save in: redbooties says I find 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 and on shop floors.
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 PT 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, but please specify which is saved in your SPC pot and which is the CC money when declaring at the end of the year. 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's possible to include any other savings from MSE Challenges with your SPC Totals i.e. the Ј2 Challenge as, so I'm told, they aren't precisely put down on the challenge threads themselves. Likewise all Facebook earnings can be potted.
However, 2nd incomes can also come in many different 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 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.
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 post 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 each day, then put it on the thread to help encourage others then we forget about it and ....wait for the surprise at the end of the year!
4/ Mainly it's a challenge to see how much we can save in a year for Christmas 2015. However, over the last 5 years we've had some members who needed theirs throughout the year for bills, and personally I'd far sooner they take it 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 in your declarations, after all, you'll have saved it. Whatever you need to do, don't worry about it - be happy and proud you have saved!
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 5th. 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 pots!
6/ At the end of the year (or when we've saved for what we wish) we all declare our Totals either by waiting until the last day of saving - or by putting our Totals on our signatures to remind you to include them in the Grand Total. The latter particularly applies to those using their money for holidays etc, but PLEASE remember to return on the 5th November to declare those Totals to me - or - declare them boldly at the time of counting up so I can put the Totals on my sheet, many thanks.
7/ KEEP YOUR POT/S 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 needing it later in the week/month: Why not use one unsealed pot or purse as a 'holding pot' and pop the money in their first each day/week/month - then, if it's not desperately needed (for car parking costs, little Johnnies school trip etc) - put it in a Sealed one 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 girlatplay: 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. That is so handy for members to know, many thanks to GAP.
10/ Members who do not return by the end of November (please note the closing date for 2015 is 5th November) will 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 lot of 'empty holes' so to speak which makes things very difficult over time. Sorry folks, but any saving members won't be at all worried about this.
On the post below is a list of members and their numbers, always display yours on your signatures please, that makes life so much easier for me and my DH when counting up all of our Totals. In December I put a Grand Total on of ALL that we members have collected, what a terrific sight that is. As we get some who forget the date it can often be a couple of weeks or more until I'm able to put the Grand Total on my signature and on the thread, so please put yours on ASAP, thanks.
Just a quiet word of warning to all those in the Liverpool area...be up very early in the mornings to get any roadkill....or sparky will have had the LOT (he has magnets on hands and his shoes)!! In the Cambridge area - forget it folks as jakes-mum will even tackle you to get any roadkill! Think I'm joking??
Once again, we've just had another truly amazing 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 5th November is the closing date for 2015, the day we declare what we've saved. Please, kindly declare your monies saved within 2 weeks of the 5th, thank you kindly.
The starting date for the next thread SPC 9 (2015) will be Friday 6th November 2015. Yes, the following day!
Anyone wishing to join us please post on the thread to ask and I'll give you a number so you can join in the fun......and please do note that...no matter what 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!
Sue x
Best answers:
- 001 Sue-UU
002 sparky0107
003 Purplemumof2
004 sillyinthepast
005 Evertheoptimist....................Target Ј100 2015 :-)
006 iloveshopping93 (will declare around 1st September)
007 Di-Dough
008 Buffythedebtslayer ...............Target Ј100 2015
009 laura1610
010 mcjordi - A very good morning (it doesn't feel like that somehow!).
Ok then Potters, SPC 8 is now open for business and my first bit of potting is Ј1.50.....and didn't that ever sound heavy when it plonked into the pot!
Never mind, it's the first of many and will soon have friends to keep it company.
Have a great saving year, folk, and be proud of everything you save, even if it's only a few coppers every few days - it all mounts up!
Best wishes to you all, Sue x - Yay it's here....
Hi Sue and any early morning potters
Thank you for the new thread.
Right I'm off to find my focus and positivity for the new potting year... And to get some sleep...
Oooo can I add a target of Ј100 please Sue - Morning everyone
Thanks sue for the nice new shiny thread. I am off to change my siggy. Hope everyone has a great potting year - Cheers Sue
Could you please amend my target to Ј200 for 2015 please? - #11 reporting in for the next potting year and $2 dropped into the jar
Thank you Sue for continuing to do this year after year - Good morning everyone
That's my pot on the go already for another year I'll have a think as to target and why.
Thanks a million Sue-UU for your hard work and encouragement throughout last year and for being up for doing it all over again
Hope you all sleep well
Nighty-night
Lx - Great to see you all!!!
ETO, your Target is already for you to, hopefully, fulfil. Sleep well.
You're welcome, scotmumof3.
purpledonkey, your Target is ready too, all the best with it.
You're welcome, mummytummy, it's a pleasure, truly...either that or madness!
It's a pleasure, Lynne, with folks like you all what more can I say. Nighty-night to you too.
Sleep well, folks, I know darned well I will.
Sue x - Yay happy new thread. I am in for SPC 8. Will count up tomorrow and declare on the old thread.
xxxx - Wahoo! Thank you for the shiny new thread Sue!
So excited about this challenge! To celebrate I have potted Ј7.62 with lots of lovely loud clunking!
I am going to try and post more regularly but I don't want to promise anything yet!
Safe and squidy hugs to you all
Lucy xx - Morning Everyone
I know that SPC7 is now for Declarers only....so I didn't want to Post on there....but I wanted to say a BIG Thank You to all those that wished me well....I really appreciate it and am trying to stay strong....
I'm going for my Blood Test this morning and should get the Results of that in the next few days....
I WILL stay strong!!
Anyway...Happy New Thread Everyone....And Thank You Sue for ALL of your hard work....I think you're amazing xXx - Morning everyone!
Fab - excited to get this kicked off again! Thanks for doing the honours, Sue
Could you add a target of Ј500 for me please?
Happy coin collecting!
x - Here we go again. Will be banking the filled coin bags from SPC7 today. Looking forward to SPC8.
- DreamerHelen - huge hugs to you. Thinking of you today. x
Sue-UU - thank for the shiny new thread!
Love this new thread. How shiny! In honour of its opening, I've potted Ј1. Let's continue with the potting... - Morning potters,
WOW a lovely new thread SPC8
... In celebration I have added I have added my change from the carpark at the hospital yesterday 8 x Ј1 gold nuggets (by chance) so feeling very happy about a good start.
Hospital trip was for a checkup - all ok a little anaemic - but nothing they are worried about (that's normal for me) so come February that's me in remission for a whole year!
And my next appointment is not for 4 months
Thinking of you today DreamerHelen be brave and let the staff look after you xx - A lovely shiny new thread, and in tribute, have put a very shiny Ј1 coin, and another, even shinier 50p into my Little Miss pot this morning.
Happy potting everyone - Morning All - aren't we all a bouncy bunch this morning, and why not when we have a new thread to celebrate!! I've potted Ј3 this morning - including the first Ј2 for the tin - yay!!
Thinking of you today DreamerHelen, try and stay calm - easier said than done I know.
A big THANK YOU to you SueUU, you are fabulous for running this thread and it must be taking all your time at the moment to keep on top of the totals and yet you still find time to make lots of lovely comments to us all along the way. I for one admit to feeling warm and glowing (that ready brek glow) when I see my name mentioned. I know, how shallow...... Anyway its appreciated (as are you all......) x - Morning all you lovely people.
Thank you for the new thread Sue, count me in again for next year please
Pmo2
xx - Could I have a target of Ј500 please Sue
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