Every year for what seems like forever ... but is in fact only seven after reading back through my old blog posts ... we have had a Sealed Pot on the go.
Our very first one was back in 2011 and blogged about over at Our New Life in the Country (HERE'S a post from my old blog describing it all in more detail). Well last year our tin finally gave up the ghost so we decided to use my lovely old teapot as our permanent receptacle instead.
Of course after doing this for the last seven years we are well used to putting money in and not taking it out, so we were not going to stick up the lid ... the money wouldn't fit down the spout (not even 5p's I tried) so we were going to have to lift off the lid to pop all our loose change in anyway!!
All through this year we put in all our small change and virtually all of the £2 coins that we received. It soon brought the level of coins up.
And as is usual on 4th December, our wedding anniversary, we did The Grand Opening of the Sealed Pot.
After what seemed like lots of time spent counting we were both very impressed.
And our Grand Total was £386.96.
Now usually this spawns a Challenge ... but for once I really don't know what to do.
My money scrimping brain is telling me a £1 a day for 365 days challenge again, with the odd £21.96 being used to buy a starter store cupboard ... but do I really want to commit to this.
I'm thinking, pondering and mulling it over.
I'll let you know :-)
A year is a long time for a challenge commitment like that, isn't it? I'd give up just weeks in, I expect! Whatever you decide, I'll look forward to reading about it. We save all our loose change too, £2 coins go towards holidays, the coppers and 5ps with the occasional 10 or 20p into a jar. We don't get as much as we used to though, since husband retired from work and we don't go shopping as much. Still, every little helps!
ReplyDeleteI think I lasted about 10 months last time I lived on a pound a day ....
DeleteWow, that really is a lot of cash. Fantastic, really well done!
ReplyDeleteI aghree with Sooze, it is a huge commitment. Maybe start with a fortnight (seeing as you've done a week) or make it £1.50 each a day which gives a surprisingly good leaway!
It might meet that seeing as you have times away, etc
xx
I haven't done a week, I did do 28 days on £1 per pay on this Challenge blog a while a go. I'm still thinking about things at the moment. But the money is still sat waiting for me to make up my mind :-)
DeleteWe also save our change in a jar but empty it when full perhaps every two or three months. It usually comes out at about £40. We have £20 each and use it as a boost to our wallet/purse. My husband puts larger coins in but I only put my small coins in. I am the main shopper and find I need my larger coins. Yours is an amazing total.
ReplyDeleteWe've really got in the habit of throwing all our change in there. It's the £2 coins that really boost it, so we've just got into the habit of never spending them.
DeleteGo Mad and go on a spree...........? No I wouldn't be able to either!
ReplyDelete(or save it for the next time your pipes burst)
Haha .... yeah right, as if I could do that. You know me so well ;-)
DeleteThat is a fantastic amount, I really love your tea pot.x
ReplyDeleteIt is isn't it :-) Yes, I love my teapot too.
DeleteWow, that's a lot of money. I'm interested to see what you are going to do with it.
ReplyDeleteSo am I .... I still can't make up my mind!!
DeleteWhat about 12 mini-challenges? a new one each month for some variety. And one of the challenges is you spend the money on some "luxury" treats for yourself, although it doesn't have to be food. Just a thought, for something different.
ReplyDeleteThat's a really good idea :-)
DeleteI have always loved the challenges you set yourself and I have always been super impressed at how well you do and how you manage to stick to it!
ReplyDeleteI live in the middle of a huge city with no where to grow any food (not that I know how) but I am trying to set myself some real challenges for the new year. If I convert your Pot Money into Canadian dollars it would come out to approximately $650.00 - given our costs it would be a real challenge to make that last six months - I think it would be doable if it was only for food. You have given me a lot to think about and I will look forward to reading about your decision.
I can't wait to find out what your Challenges will be, please make sure you let us know :-)
DeleteI have enjoyed reading about all of your challenges, from the wight loss, to living on a £1 a day, I also learned quite a bit from this one and have implemented some into daily life. The freebie one was also great, would love to hear more about getting freebies. I know from reading your blogs you have many other talents, I believe you make soap and think you also made cards at one time. I like the idea about using your sealed pot for 12 mini-challenges, one for each month. I think I read that if you do some thing for 30 days it becomes a habit and 30 days is not as long to stick to as 365. How about freebie February for example? What ever you decide to do I am sure I will enjoy following. Helen S.
ReplyDeleteLovely comment, thank you.
DeleteYes, the 12 mini Challenges is a good idea isn't it ... I'm pondering :-)
How about using some of it to bulk buy the dried/tinned foods and laundry powders that you use the most.. We bought a huge bag of Basmati rice and it will last us a year. Saved £8 by buying in bulk.
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful Christmas.