9 December 2024
Because we want to provide you with plenty of saving inspiration, we will spotlight a saver each month to discover together why and for what people actually save. Whether it’s to build an emergency fund, save for a dream holiday, or realise a long-held wish, each story is unique and inspiring!
By gaining insight into the motives and strategies of different savers, we hope to help you achieve your own financial goals and come up with new ideas. Let yourself be inspired by the diverse stories of people like you and me, who understand the value of saving and want to share their experiences.
Today, Eleni shares how she and her friends used Potje to save money together to surprise a loved one with a Nintendo Switch!
Eleni, tell us a bit about yourself!
Hi! I’m Eleni, 26 years old and originally from Greece, but I lived in the Netherlands for the whole academic year in 2023. I’m a huge fan of cooking and spending time with friends. I’m currently doing my Master’s and my friends often make fun of me for being a “control freak”.
What did you save for?
My friends and I wanted to surprise one of our closest friends with a Nintendo Switch for her birthday. She used to love playing with her Nintendo console when she was a kid and since we are all scattered across Europe, we decided to save money together and give her an unforgettable gift. Now she can have so much fun with her new friends or us when we visit her – remember who came first, huh? (giggles). I am just kidding… I hope she is enjoying every minute spent in her new life!
How did you find out about Potje?
It was during my Erasmus+ exchange in the Netherlands that I first got to know about Potje. A Dutch friend introduced me to it, and I wanted to try it! It is so practical and easy for raising money in situations like ours.
What savings agreements did you make with your friends?
We created a money pot to keep everything organized. Each of us contributed a set of amounts every month for three months. Since we all have different financial situations, we agreed on amounts that felt manageable for everyone and smaller monthly contributions over three months to make it easier for everyone. We used Revolut to transfer funds and Potje’s compatibility with iDeal made everything super smooth. I believe someone from the group also used the Pay by Bank option. Saving apps like this make it so much easier to save money together for shared goals.
Were there any challenges saving together?
One challenge was keeping everyone on track with contributions. Thankfully, Potje’s transparency helped a lot. The app allowed everyone to see how close we were to reaching our goal and the gentle reminders generated by the app itself made raising money manageable.
(She seems happy with the gift)
Do you have any saving tips for our readers?
Well, saving is easier when you have a clear goal. Whether it’s a gift or personal project, visualize the result and break it down into smaller goals. Also, do not underestimate the power of teamwork. Sharing a goal with others makes it more fun and helps everyone stay accountable. Apps like Potje are perfect for raising money and organizing group efforts when you need to save money together.
Have you created a new potje yet? If yes, for what?
Yes, I have! My international friends and I have already started saving for our summer vacation in Greece. I finally decided to show them my favorite summer destinations from a local’s perspective. They have been complaining about it for some time now, so I guess that time has come! It is going to be epic! Let us see who is going to survive Ouzo (giggles).
Thank you, Eleni, for sharing this wonderful story!
It’s amazing to see how Potje can bring people together, even across borders. Lucky to have such thoughtful friends!
Would you like to appear in this column and inspire others to save? Send an email to info@potje.tech and we’ll see you here!
