A question about : "Sealed Pot Challenge" ~ 7
Ok folks, here we are with SPC No 7!!
For all newcomers, yes Old Timers too - please read through this entire post to see what the SPC is all about.
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.
Hello yet again all dedicated MSE Sealed Pot Savers! We're off again with yet another Sealed Pot Challenge No 7. We've had 6 highly successful money-saving years, and it's purely through the determined saving of you all - many thanks to you great 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 27th 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..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, sealing it too.
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 to jakes-mum.
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, last 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!! 
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.
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 all 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, 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 2014. 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 also include what you need to spend in your Totals, after all, you'll have saved it. Whatever you need to do, don't worry about - be happy and proud you have saved!
5/ If you wish to save for something special, a holiday, wedding etc then please do so, 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 sparky to include them in the Grand Total. The latter particularly applies to those using their money for holidays etc.
7/ 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!
On this posts is a list of members and their numbers, always display yours on your signatures please. If you don't do that then sparky, my 2nd In Command (bless you sparky) gets mad 
as he counts up all of our Totals using his spreadsheet and, 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 his shoes)!! Though LC 2 (luckycharlie) will be close on his heels! In the Cambridge area - forget it folks - jakes-mum will knock you to the floor to get any money! Think I'm joking?? Think on!
Yet again, we've just had another truly amazing year, let's keep it going and see what we can achieve this year. Good luck everyone and save well!!
PLEASE take note everyone Thursday 27th November is the closing date for 2014, the day we declare what we've saved. Please, kindly declare your monies saved within 2 weeks of the 27th, thank you kindly.
The opening date for the next thread (2015) will be Friday 28th November 2014. Yes, the following day.
Anyone wishing to join 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 YouNever Need To Re-join....well, unless you stop visiting us in November!
Sue x
001 Sue-UU
002 sparky0107
003 Purplemumof2
004 SlowlyFading
005 Evertheoptimist
006 Redmel1621
007 Di-Dough
008 Buffythedebtslayer ........................Target Ј600 2014
009 prophecy-grrl
010 mcjordi
011 mummytummy
012 wrinkled English rose
013 MargB ............................................Target Ј500 2014
014 piquant
015 terri72
016 fedupandskint
017 ladsmadd ......................................Target Ј700 *
018 scubaangel
019 Bagpuss741
020 mommyof4......................................Targ et Ј500 2014
021 luckycharlie ....................................Target Ј1000 *
022 elizabunny ......................................Target Ј150 for Christmas
023 Kerfuffle
024 ruby_Eskimo
025 Flat Eric ..........................................Target Ј777 2014
026 Lost2
027 skilly ................................................Ta rget Ј500 2014
028 lucyhope
029 Kerry Woman
030 loopychriss
031 grandmasam
032 jakes-mum........................................Target Ј600
033 Willow92
034 Jackies
035 fingersxed
036 happycrafter ********
037 peaceandfreedom ........................Target Ј500 2014
038 Fiasco55 ........................................Target Ј250 to help with car costs 2014
039 Takingcontrol .................................Target Ј500 2014
040 jammy dodger
041 blue_eyed_girl
042 nu1isit?
043 bargainlover08
044 nat21luv
045 Absinthe Fairy
046 nikki2804........................................T arget Ј500 2014
047 ~~Diane~~ .....................................Target Ј400 2014
048 curly33 ............................................Target Ј400 2014
049 ieimimiai
050 Eyebright
051 mumof3plusoh
052 LAM2011
053 Ellie_B
054 DeafLeopard
055 nanto3girls
056 marco1dog
057 lemonpopsicle ...............................Targ et Ј200 2014
058 cupcakeprincess
059 pickled72
060 Elle1267.......................................... .Target Ј500 2014
061 cutestkids
062 ModestyB
063 mishmogs
064 Debnatric
065 rasp
066 ytsaverpot
067 kiplingmonkey...................................Ta rget Ј575 2014
068 emmita
069 rosyq............................................. ....Target Ј800
070 little_sweetie.................................... ..Target Ј150 29014
071 crimson.addict
072 SusanneCape
073 lozzy81
074 honey10 .............................................Targe t Ј400 2014
075 50thfun
076 silvermist05...................................... .Target Ј120 2014
077 getting-there-slowly
078 out of debt at last
079 gobbygal
080 Sabrina
081 boobiebonboo
082 Saver88
083 mossy
084 redbooties........................................ Target Ј500 2014
085 mildredalien
086 Nessa56
087 sams247
088 bladerunner73
089 DreamerHelen..................................Targ et Ј1000 2014
090 Emsa77
091 bossymoo
092 Motoko
093 cdm
094 tatabubbly........................................ ..Target €200
095 sexyshark
096 Lynsey............................................ ...Target Ј1000 2014
097 Laura_hoggle
098 just trying
099 shinner........................................... .....Target Ј400 2014
100 Hollygym.......................................... ...Target - a dream holiday - when enough is saved!
101 beccah............................................ ....Target Ј500 2014
102 Sara_uk1
103 Happybeingme....................................Ta rget Ј350 for Christmas & Ј400 for holidays
104 Lindylou68
105 labtechlesley
106 Rose Garden
107 tetra
108 Techiescot
109 cazscash
110 Tia0101........................................... ....Target - Ј500 2014
111 PrisonerCellBlockH
112 MissE001
113 dinglefoot........................................ .....Target Ј400 2014
114 3431Anna
115 Cinders:
116 LeaLea89
117 EchoDelta
118 nell36
119 debtfree future
120 donna73
121 LittleOwl
122 ChristmasCarol...................................T arget Ј400 2014
123 pinpins
124 guinea pig girl
125 32b3in2013
126 Thrifty Fashionista
127 Xcarlyx
128 Rosepetal1701
129 mynellie.......................................... ......Target Ј500 for 2014
130 lynnejk........................................... .......Target Ј1000 for holiday in 2014
131 pinknfluffy28
132 mucktub86
133 hummingbird....................................... .Target Ј1000 2014
134 beth2242
135 Jonesy88
136 claireyfairy82
137 Iheart
138 Queenriderbrekke
139 BlueDaisy......................................... .....Target Ј300 2014
140 Moneysavingmomma.............................Targe t Ј500 2014
141 Loosepockets
142 tightar*e
143 StrugglingYouth
144 loxxee
145 Jellybaby......................................... .......Target Ј500 2014
146 kjp
147 Loveactually...................................... .....Target Ј1500 for trip to NY 2014
148 Mrs Cheshire
149 purple angel............................................T arget Ј700
150 heyjude2013
151 DueMarch11
152 DellyC
153 VickyA
154 mrsbee
155 Saver-upper
156 dejuz8
157 Chrysalis1976
158 Pinkylds
159 glassy2010........................................ .....Target Ј400
160 Goldiegirl
161 Habiboo........................................... .......Target Ј500
162 larlie
163 deldee
164 joowoo............................................ ........Target Ј500
165 Cambsgirl
166 shiningfaery
167 aceystay
168 joee.............................................. ............Target Ј120
169 gilly41........................................... ............Target Ј250
170 nicky200991....................................... .....Target Ј100
171 gotogo............................................ ..........Target Ј200 for the sales
172 newlifeahead
173 loopychriss....................................... ........Target Ј100
174 katmum............................................ ........Target Ј250
175 jofish2669
176 MrsBrownBear
177 abundant1972...................................... .....Target Ј500
178 Kate_fixing_it
179 kickuptheasstime.................................. .....Target Ј300 for Christmas 2014.
180 Scottish Lassie
181 Charlie200b
182 CommitedToChange.................................. Target Ј200
183 Lilmiss
184 LannieDuck
185 Jumps
186 nannygladys
187 JindoFlix
188 KittyBoo
189 luckystarr........................................ ..........Target Ј300
190 Newsavings
191 araminta
192 siju
193 Pickle29.......................................... ..........Target Ј100
194 addicted2shopping................................. ....Target Ј50
195 Pee
196 sort_me_own_yard_out.............................T arget 350 for Christmas 2014
197 sarahboo72
198 moneytree1
199 Meowhouse
200 gayleygoo
201 frugaldances
202 credit_crunch
203 littleangels3..................................... ............Target Ј100
204 tokicat
205 AlwaysHappy
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............................................ .............Target Ј200
220 Observer
221 Miz Gayle
222 Bambisbelle
223 ToniLiz
224 amymackox
225 Cauliflower....................................... .............Target Ј100
226 **sparkles**
227 debtfreeoneday
228 TattyG
229 tracy6697
230 Suziebabe
231 floella80
232 Indie Kid
233 fishcakes
234 Determined diva
235 chocalicious
236 Poepue
237 Foreverdreaming2014
238 superrhinos
239 amiehall
240 greenanne
241 debtfree2014
242 bubbs............................................. ...............Target Ј350
243 Eljhem
244 TheScarletPixie
245 husky23........................................... ..............Target Ј300
246 Electricblue
247 katiecat
248 CariadsNewStart
249 Gwengeth15........................................ ...........Target Ј100
250 stormbreaker...................................... ............Target Ј250
251 nows the time
252 Richy23........................................... ...............Target Ј250
253 stebo730.......................................... ..............Target Ј250
254 lynnsey30
255 nowpanicking
256 Pinkpenguin....................................... .............Target Ј150
257 Monkeyballs....................................... ............Target Ј150
258 Gav-lar
259 dazzaofdagenham................................... ........Target a massive 1 thousand pounds!!!!
260 Giggles86
261 samtoby........................................... ...............Target Ј350.00 for Christmas 2014
262 TriBadger
263 pantherchick...................................... .............Target Ј250
264 princess-angelica
265 CapricornLass
266 Midgie
267 tom07
268 maccag
269 blue_mango
270 debtisgoing
271 pinkie_pie
272 mooomin
273 RedVelvet
274 abbylou........................................... .................Target Ј100
275 emmlouie
276 bmma
277 Jubilee76
278 trudij
279 Cash4AnnyQ
280 Ryan_f
281 Dincanada
282 peony40
283 moneymanager...................................... ...........Target Ј200 by November 2014
284 amberfinn53....................................... ..............Target Ј200 (is never a small amount! )
285 Katey1980
286 noodledoodle78
287 Tinker.bell
288 Mystikia
289 debtdawg
290 blissfullydebtfreewannabe
291 Nikkiclaire
292 ellie1788
293 willowwispy
294 sparklyfee........................................ ...............Target Ј200
295 cattysmum
296 summertea
297 NeroliJasmin
298 Kayleigh251186
299 becksxxx
300 urg123
301 emmaphill
302 H.Ed
303 lustyrusty
304 BrandNewStart2014
305 purpledonkey
306 Delilahh
307 starnac
308 valkirn
309 TTT2810
310 maryarm
311 farmville
312 queen of cheap
313 minkyr............................................ .................Target Ј300
314 blubella
315 debtfree future
316 skyblueshez
317 EMMAP............................................. .............Target Ј100
318 hettiecarro
319 savingbabs........................................ ................Target Ј500
320 mummalove......................................... .............Target Ј200
321 littlesmurfette................................... ..................Target Ј200
322 Luckylucy
323 KingLarsson
323 Betsie2010
324 ladybug1984
325 Poppops
326 Twisted Cherry............................................ ......Target Ј500
327 katsta1........................................... ...................Target Ј100
328 MISSL
329 SpiralingDown..................................... ..............Target Ј500
330 Eltee12........................................... ...................Target Ј50
331 Verityemilia...................................... ..................Target Ј200
332 themstarrynights
333 thatclaregirl
334 andreat
335 Broke Kitty
336 queendiorable..................................... ...............Target Ј200
337 Smiffy64
338 Madrabbitgirl..................................... ................Target Ј100
339 andy.m
340 Debtfreeandlovingit
341 Angela84
342 AdmiralAsda
343 madhatter90
344 souppy
345 minmac
346 BirdSeed
347 luckyH
348 GettingOrganised
349 brettcta
350 braddy970
351 freedomsinsight
352 LordDuke
353 Janvier
354 maryandal
355 WishICouldFindMySlippers
356 poorbabe
357 HelenRachel
358 Hope78............................................ ..................Target Ј300
359 EmilyTee
360 Jo3y83............................................ ...................Target Ј300
361 Determined_83
362 shellyosborne..................................... .................Target Ј500
363 tarotangel
364 hickles69......................................... ....................Target Ј750
365 kindofagilr
366 littlepinkstars44
367 diddley
368 ZebNeedsMoney..................................... ............Target Ј300
369 mrsdalloway
370 fishfins
371 Ihead123.......................................... ...................Target Ј60
372 Soozyfloozy
373 Brightspark87..................................... .................Target Ј300
374 Deere
375 Magsnoodle
376 charlieyates
377 166million
378 Older But Not Wiser
379 keza
380 Nelly11
381 Shop-Til-You-Drop
382 frasersmum123
383 GaLa15............................................ ..................Target Ј1000
383 freebird07
384 Chi-me
385 Eviesmummy
386 Divingmad
387 nikki702.......................................... ...................Target Ј1000
388 ali bf................................................ ...................Target is Ј400
389 ChevalierTialys
390 atolaas
391 bindi soup
392 mumofthetwins
393 lulu 92
394 x_raphael_xx
395 Mummy+2
396 theatregirl4
Best answers:
- Hello all Sealed Pot Members and a very warm welcome as you begin your savings chat.
I'm going to be first to say - I've potted Ј1.34p today and I'm chuffed to bits. Over to you all, it's your thread, save well.
Sue x - Yay! I am glad that you were able to sort though your connection problems and for this new thread!
Thanks Sue! And well done for potting your money!
Right I need to go to bed to be fresh for tomorrow
Jo -
Thank you Sue for all your hard work.Sorry your computer is causing you grief.
Soooo excited.Tomorrow am going to go around the house and gather up bits of coinage I seem to have sitting around - Thanks girls for being so terribly patient. Sleep well, I know I will, although right now I'm on a huge high.
- Hello
Could I join please? Is it okay to join if you don't say how much you have potted? Eg I can post that I have put change from my purse in the pot or money saved in the supermarket but not the exact amount. Not because its secret, moreso as I want to to be a surprise (and would rather just chuck the money on than count it). It'll mainly be loose pennies to 50ps as I save my Ј1 coins for other things.
Anyway, sorry to babble, if I am allowed to join this lovely challenge I would like to aim to have saved Ј200 by next year. This will be for an indulgent splurge in the sales - Yay, shiny new thread. Welcome on board to eveyone. Really excited and am raring to go.
Glad you got your computer sorted.
Love to all and happy potting. - A very warm welcome, gotogo. It's lovely to have you with us! Enjoy yourself saving, and join in the posting as it is very encouraging. You'll find your number at the bottom of the list on post 5 of page 1. Please read through post 1 as it'll let you know exactly what to do with the challenge.
Please also subscribe to the thread by clicking on "Thread Tools" (lower green bar) and clicking "Subscribe to this thread"...or you may lose us! To put your SPC No on, go to "Quick Links" (right side of top green bar), click and then click on "Edit Signature" and you're away.
*Please pop your numbers on your sigs, it really helps.
You can do it as you wish, gotogo. However, even though most of us tell each other eg. "I potted Ј2.15p" the chances of any of us remembering exact amount throughout the year is almost impossible. If you want a surprise then simply state something like "I put some silver/copper in my pot after shopping" and put it in without counting it at all.
We generally keep posting our change and finds as it helps motivate us and all other members, so you will give as much incentive to others as, I hope, you will receive. All the very best with your saving and Target.
Hello there, mumof3plusoh! I'm so pleased you came on so soon, it gives promise of a great year for you, I just know it. I had terrible laptop problems as well today which, thankfully, the Techie lads here on MSE helped me solve, bless em! Our internet is going perfectly well now, but I was almost pulling my hair out earlier.
See you soon!
Sue x - I hope that you have a well deserved sleep sue!
Hello gottogo!
Welcome it is really nice to meet you
It is entirely up to you if you wish to share, I, for example, am sharing because I can go back and monitor any patterns but that is my autistic traits coming out
Welcome again and I am looking forward to getting to know you!
Right I really must go to bed NOW!
Jo - nice new thread Sue
thank you for all the work you do - Hi there, Lost!! It's really good to see you here so soon and I love your Woo Hoo friend, he's brilliant.
I promise you I enjoy it all and would be lost without folk like yourself. Have another great saving year, and be careful with that arm/shoulder!
Sue x - H i Sue-uu, thank you for the new thread. I am hoping to check in at least one a month, just need to remember to do so lol.
For first check in of the year, have two pots one for anything 50p and below and one for Ј1-Ј2 coins. I have added Ј2 to the 31p already potted. - Hi ladsmadd, that really is good news, thank you. It's wonderful to have new members sign up, but it's equally lovely to see 'old' faces return too. How about the 1st or end of each month if it makes it easier to remember.
A good start with your savings! There's something quite clangy with a near empty pot now, best soon fill it I suppose, that'll be music to hubby's ears!!
Sue x - Right well I'm back in. Won't be posting much over the weekend as hubby has his 40th birthday party over the weekend in Taunton. It's not where we live but where he's based so it'll be a busy one.
I'm hoping not to spend too much so won't have much to pot but hopefully a little something to start me off and will be keeping me eyes peeled for a bit of road kill.
Thanks for thread Sue. I can't begin to imagine how difficult this time of year is for this thread. With the declarations and the signer uppers. But exciting too. - Thank you for letting me join. x
- Oooooh a nice shiny bright new Thread
Sue hun...Can you Update my Target to Ј1000....thanks
I'm Potting Ј6.51 tonight...to give me a good start for the New Year...!! - Good morning! I'm up and getting ready for college,
big day to hand in my assignment and I'm really nervous about it.
I've posted in the old thread but I may as well post it here:
I've potted Ј2.94 Yesterday into my Piggy bank and
Ј2.50 in my emergency savings.
Today I'll keep an eye out for any abandoned coins
that I can "Rescue" and give a home (lol)
and sue, thank you for this challenge & Everything you do!
and good luck to everyone else! Here's to a good potting year - Good Morning everyone
I see SPC 7 is off to a flying start. I've got to say the Grand total is looking good for this year. Still waiting for a lot of declarations though.
Have a great, safe day & keep potting - Good morning, on the first day of SPC7.
- Thanks Sue for sorting out our new home.
I'll be back - promise
Good luck everyone for SPC7
b_e_g
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