Just for fun

Pears, sealed pots & prizes – this week's MSE Forum highlights

Forum Executive

23 October 2026

For two decades MoneySavers have been encouraging one another via the MSE Forum to put aside spare change in the year-long Sealed Pot Challenge. This week Forumites broke open those pots and counted the contents. Read on for more on that and the rest of the week's discussions.

If you're not a member yet, here's how to register for the MSE Forum. It's simple and quick to join.

A few of this week's top threads

These are some of the Forum discussions that caught our eye this week:

Money Moral Dilemma

Every week, the Money Tips email features a real-life Money Moral Dilemma (MMD for short). They're intended to encourage debate and, as such, they're usually among the most discussed threads each week.

I don't plan to marry, so is it okay not to give gifts when I go to weddings?

I have a child and own a house with my partner, but we don't plan to marry as it's not something I want. While I'm more than happy to celebrate when people I know marry, I don't get them a gift. That's because, while some people - including Martin, back in 2011 - say wedding gifts are a form of social banking, it isn't something we'll benefit from - the 'flow' of money would only ever be away from us. Wedding gifts are also seen by some as 'payment' for the cost of your attendance, but this isn't how any other celebration works, so again I don't feel obliged. Is that fair?

See what our MSE Forumites had to say and add your own thoughts on the Money Moral Dilemma discussion thread. Do please stick to the MSE Forum rules: keep it kind and keep it clean. Remember, there's a real person behind every dilemma.

Challenge corner

Each year in late October Forumites who've joined the Sealed Pot Challenge break open their pots and reveal how much they've saved during the year.

LittleMissDetermined gives an example of what's possible: "I'm here after totting up my physical and online pots to declare £4194.42 which includes 118.87 euro which will be put aside for spending on my holiday in December. It doesn't include an old £1 coin (no idea how I have that) as I don't know if I can actually deposit it.

"Well done everyone, it's been a long year and the cost of living has been crazy so whatever you've managed to save be proud of yourselves."

This coming year is the 20th time the Sealed Pot Challenge has run on the MSE Forum and the new thread is now open.

Photo of the week

On our Old Style MoneySaving board, Forumites share what they're making for dinner as an inspiration to others. This week Frith posted this snap of their roast gammon meal.

Please note: We love seeing your photos in the MSE Forum, but if you're uploading one, make sure it doesn't include any personally-identifiable information such as your face or address.

Latest comping wins

It's been a good week for redfox5 who reported this week: "I have won £400 of Simon & Schuster children’s books, including the whole Grimwood series by Nadia Shireen PLUS a £100 National Book Token to spend on books of your choice.

"I am thrilled with this! Basically sorts out all my nieces and one of my sisters for Christmas! Perfect! It's also the biggest win I've had this year :)"

Meanwhile pixiedust3 is off on a spa break after winning a radio competition.

Head to Competitions Time to explore the newest comps shared by community members.

Your two cents

This week in our Forum poll we're asking 'how much do you expect to spend on Halloween?'

Perhaps you're like Floss who posted this week: "I've just decorated my front porch for Halloween – all except one (spider curtain) are paper and will be used again in future years. The spider curtain will be replaced next year by an old long spare voile adorned with homemade spiders (which I didn't have time to make this year)."

If you're not a member yet, it's easy to register for the MSE Forum.