Splitcoaststampers.com - the world's #1 papercrafting community
You're currently viewing Splitcoaststampers as a GUEST. We pride ourselves on being great hosts, but guests have limited access to some of our incredible artwork, our lively forums and other super cool features of the site! You can join our incredible papercrafting community at NO COST. So what are you waiting for?
Interesting to revisit this. I'm not going to even go back and read whatever I said last. I'd probably just get depressed ;-)!
The fact us that I, too, thought I was doing pretty well, but then I got stuck in a dry spell and instead of just letting myself slow down and not be "productive" I made the stupid snap decision that I was stuck because "I didn't have the right stuff." So I went on a jag. Online, because that's the only access I have to anything. I didn't realize what a jag I'd gone on until the boxes started coming in, day after day. OMG.
Not that I bought anything I won't use, and the truth is I still own relatively few stamps in relation to what I read about here on the forum, and all the dies and EFs I own including Nesties will fit in one single plastic "shoebox". But the truth is also that if I didn't buy anything else at all except pure necessities like adhesives, I could make an awful lot of cards with what I have.
I think for me the issue is that after a year and a bit at this, I am starting to question what kind of cards I want to make. Some of you who are newbies like me, or are veterans who remember your beginnings probably went through something similar. I look at stamps I bought months ago and think "Huh?" But I still don't feel I know what I want to do, what direction I want to take. I am having a bit of an identity crisis. And so I start to think I can "buy" my way out of it. Which I can't. I know. I know.
So, to answer the question - in terms of Mindful Spending (great phrase!), I wish I were doing better.
__________________ I have come to the conclusion that buying craft supplies and actually using them are two separate hobbies. RachelRose Designs by Robin... GALLERY
Last edited by Rachelrose; 03-18-2013 at 11:05 AM..
I'm actually using some of the stuff I bought years ago. I'm even using some of my fancy rhinestone stuff (gasp!). I've started using up some of my monthly card kits that I bought over the last year or so and hadn't touched. I'm impressed with myself. I actually made fifty cards in two weeks which is a lot for me.
I'm a CTMH junior consultant and I'm not ready to relinquish that status, so I will be making my quarterly minimum of $100, but I plan to stick with just that and nothing else. Since I usually spend about $2200 a year, that's almost like not buying so I will be proud if I can keep to just that.
My local stores have almost nothing in them to remotely tempt me and that sure helps a lot! I never impulse buy anything anymore and rarely, if ever, use a credit card. Learned a long time ago that just because something was cute or pretty didn't mean I needed it (and in every color) or would even use it.
I go between thinking, 'I can afford to buy that and it makes me happy' and 'I have a real problem with buying and hoarding stuff and seldom making anything.'
Cindy - you have some real words of wisdom. I don't need it all, in every color, and two of each! I know that buying for the hobby is part of the fun for me. I need the feeling to last longer than it showing up in the mail and me wondering why I ordered that! I think it's a process. So I enjoy reading how others struggle and those who have overcome the shopping addiction.
The last two on line orders I started ending up being deleted before check out due more to the fact that I could not find enough to purchase to justify the shipping costs. When the shipping ends up being more the the items in my cart, well it's time to dump the cart and walk away.
Plus the last two times I wanted to go to M's or JAnn's "with those money saving coupons" I found that the timing was just not right or I didn't really want to make the effort, or I forgot what it was I wanted so badly in the first place!! It seems to be the same stuff coming out year after year in all the stores anyway and I have enough old stuff.
I have made some purchases this year mind you, but definitely not anywhere near what I use to spend. I am enjoying making more of my own embellishments with a few new stamps, a Zutter (major purchase for the year) distrezz-it-all and silhouette cut files.
I did it. (maybe i should say I did it again, as I have tried to quit before!)
I cancelled my membership in my monthly kit. Now for the willpower to not succomb to the April kit! I really think this time it just might work. I've had no nervous ticks today after seeing the new kit and have not been a memer for I et a week! I think my record is several months. So I'll check back in a few weeks and let you know how I'm doing!!
I am still creating and still organizing. Just trying to hold back on the buying. A little never hurts, but $$$ spent and piles of stuff that have lost their lure after hitting the purchase button or walking out of the store, that part I'm hoping to finally get a grip on!
It's kind of freeing.
How is everyone else doing?
I did it. (maybe i should say I did it again, as I have tried to quit before!)
I cancelled my membership in my monthly kit. Now for the willpower to not succomb to the April kit! I really think this time it just might work. I've had no nervous ticks today after seeing the new kit and have not been a memer for I et a week! I think my record is several months. So I'll check back in a few weeks and let you know how I'm doing!!
I am still creating and still organizing. Just trying to hold back on the buying. A little never hurts, but $$$ spent and piles of stuff that have lost their lure after hitting the purchase button or walking out of the store, that part I'm hoping to finally get a grip on!
It's kind of freeing.
How is everyone else doing?
I did just the opposite! I just joined a kit club today! I've been "off the waggon" for nearly 2 years, and caved today - then I came and read this thread! LOL! I do plan on doing a lot of reorganizing, purging, and selling. Maybe I'll be able to make a little $ back that way. Good luck all!!
I bought 3 clear stamps from Walmart the other day. I had $5.00 of play money on me. I'm redoing my craft shelves and making of list of what I have to keep impulses down. There is a rummage sale in town in 2 weeks. Last year they had bags of rubber stamps for $2 each. I want to go for just craft stuff. I really need Christmas stamps. i'm taking $10 and when it's gone, it's gone.
I was just thinking of this thread the other day when I looked through my expenses since January :( I definitely have shown less self control this year than last. Fortunately I have 8 months left to get it together.
I am not sure why lately I seem to feel the need to spend on more supplies? I have been stamping/scrapping alot so I'm using stuff but I sure haven't used anything up :rolleyes:
__________________ Lela -- Scrap Blog -- Come Scrap With Us ---- YTD 87 / 300 Pages 2023 -- 64 / 252 Cards 2023
I've just realized that I've gone cold turkey in everything else the last year or so. Gave up manicures and do them myself, quit getting facials, gave up the more spendy toiletries and found cheaper alternatives, we quit eating out except for birthdays and such. I didn't buy any new clothes or shoes for more than a year and a half-including unmentionables. I can't remember when I last bought a new item of jewelry except for a new battery for my old watch in 2011. I have a flip phone with no camera from 2006, a 4 year old computer and we drive 15 and 12 year old cars.
DH is really into NOT spending money so I think I've done my bit, so lately I've been getting more paper and stamping supplies. Feels good considering I've cut back everywhere else!
__________________ Cindy in Oregon
Last edited by Cartermrc; 10-01-2013 at 10:09 AM..
I have an old tracphone. I only use in emergencies. But since I have all these minutes to use I call a dear old, frail friend in GA. I call her once a week and we chat 30 min. I rarely eat out. Never buy bottled water. Carry my own snacks. My car is paid off and still runs so why buy new now? I go to yard sales to find books to read, then donate them to library for their sale in Oct. I color my own hair, saving me 120 a year.I buy clothes, coats, shoes out of season and save big money there. I'm saving other ways so sometimes I treat myself to stamping supplies.
well, I'm on again, off again, on again. The off again's don't last as long as the on agains, which means I must be making some progress. I confess, I have some deliveries coming, but I did think about the purchases for awhile (like over night!) before ordering. But I think this is a learning process. What triggers it in me? Maybe I need to look at it as taking 2013 to get organized, see what I do have, and learn not to be swept up in the shopping. Or maybe that is just me rationalizing my recent spending!
thought it time to check in to see how we're doing. I think about this thread often, but obviously for too long because I've been on a buying spree for a few months. But spending some time organizing my stamps and thought - what am I doing!! I know I was a paper junkie, but I guess I am a stamp junkie too! So, I have a few things coming my way yet - but in my defense, it is some things for my new stamp organization project which takes up less room. and a few others. But definitely I will be putting a freeze on buying, except if I really NEED something - and I mean need it. It's time to use some stuff up!!
I'm taking the orgnaizaing challengel again on The Scraprack. Tiffany does a great job teaching us how to organize our stuff and even thought it's my second time through, I'm getting some more insight and indeas!!
anybody else wnat to share how their spending habits have been lately?
I've been very good and actually proud of myself. I had not bought anything until a couple of weeks, I spent 16.79 on the clearance SU webpage. This week I decided to order a cricut cartridge that was 24.99 with some bonus money I got from work.
Although I've done this well, it doesn't look like I have made a dent in my paper supplies or anything else for that matter. And to be honest, I'm getting tired of all this old paper :(
I usually spend 2200-2500 a year and so far this year, I've only spent 826.83, so even if I do place the order I'm debating about on Nov 1 for $204, I'm still way ahead of the game.
I've been very good and actually proud of myself. I had not bought anything until a couple of weeks, I spent 16.79 on the clearance SU webpage. This week I decided to order a cricut cartridge that was 24.99 with some bonus money I got from work.
Although I've done this well, it doesn't look like I have made a dent in my paper supplies or anything else for that matter. And to be honest, I'm getting tired of all this old paper :(
suggestion...donate the paper you don't enjoy any more to your local schools. teachers don't get much/any budget so donated paper would be a treat.
Although I never completely stopped buying anything craft related, I have drastically cut back on buying things.
In the past few months I think I only bought 3 Spellbinder GRAND dies on clearance for $17.99 each at Hobby Lobby; 5 Whimsy rubber stamps, Epic black CS for my Silhouette; a few Copic refills and 2 Sizzix thinlit mini flower dies.
I have not been in a Joanns nor Michaels for months.
I am actually toying with the idea of trying to go minimalist with this hobby. I am not sure it is possible .
__________________ "I have not failed . I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work" --Thomas A. Edison
So I'm very curious.... How much does one person have stampin related and can still call themselves a minimalist?
Btw I love your blog!
My definition of Minimalist stamping would be if "everything" fit on 2-3 shelves of a book case. So far I can't figure out how to peel it down to that !
__________________ "I have not failed . I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work" --Thomas A. Edison
My definition of Minimalist stamping would be if "everything" fit on 2-3 shelves of a book case. So far I can't figure out how to peel it down to that !
Hmmmmm. Maybe if the bookcase went around the entire room... Lol! There's no way I could get down to 2-3 shelves!!
I bought a lot less than I did in the past , but still more than I wished. I got a bit caught up in Black Friday and Holiday sales and went over budget .
Next year I will continue to work on the minimalist stamping idea .
If fact I am gradually working toward a much more minimalist life.
I once was a true minimalist then I got into doing crafts .
__________________ "I have not failed . I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work" --Thomas A. Edison
I bought a lot less than I did in the past , but still more than I wished. I got a bit caught up in Black Friday and Holiday sales and went over budget .
Barbara I would have to agree with you. I did buy much less than in the past but a couple purchases more than I wished. I went to Archiver's Scrapfest which I'm super glad I did but while there, got caught up in the frenzy of all weekend scrapping/stamping. I have a couple more paper packs I didn't need but overall very happy with a couple new tool items. I think it's time to do one more Organization Day as I learned with last year's Organize/Purge, I'm much more creative when I can easily grab and find items I want to use. I'm not ready to go "minimalist" but would like to downsize.
I'm super happy because I put myself on a "No Altered Item" Purchase Plan until I finished at least 3 I already had. I did finish 3 but did not buy ANY more. I love to see the ideas and see them in the gallery but once I get all the stuff ... it sits. I purged all but a small box of items last year and I don't plan to have that grow.
I also have an "internal debate" going because I'd like to pass on a large box of CM Stuff I have and a box of AMuse Studio. It's all very lovely and nice stuff but I find I don't use it and here it sits collecting dust. I had friends that were demo's at one time and I bought when they sold ...
All good here, I see spending even less this year but I continue to really enjoy crafting and don't feel I'm missing out ... so that's fun
__________________ Lela -- Scrap Blog -- Come Scrap With Us ---- YTD 87 / 300 Pages 2023 -- 64 / 252 Cards 2023
My definition of Minimalist stamping would be if "everything" fit on 2-3 shelves of a book case. So far I can't figure out how to peel it down to that !
For me, Minimalism is more about having what you need and nothing more...not so much about arbitrary limits. I see it as a different set-point for each stamper. I have a spacious stamping nook with enough stuff, and I use it all regularly, keep tabs on what I'm not using, get rid of excess, etc. I just posted pics of the nook on my blog. You'll see there are more than 2-3 shelves! But it's carefully edited and organized, and I regularly prune.
Plus, my minimalist style makes it fairly easy to say no to a lot of supplies I know I won't use. And I never find something I'd forgotten I had, either. That used to be a regular occurrence before I started going minimalist.
I spent a little money but not much this past year, and am feeling like I might spend a bit more in 2014. I've pruned so much--and will prune more that I'm tired of in January--that I'm starting to feel a bit restricted.
I think the whole subject of "cold turkey" vs. "spend it like you got it" is a spectrum. Finding your own balance between the two extremes is personal and changeable. What works one year might not the next. Perhaps instead of being on a stamp supply diet, we should all shop healthy and with intention when we need to.
Oh My
well...
