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I borrow sets I am unsure about. Sometimes I cannot find a thing to do with them, stamp a few images just in case and promptly get over my desire to have the set.
Other times I borrow and find out that I can do so many cool things with the set and then I go ahead and borrow it.
Over the last few years I have purchased many less sets that just sit there and taunt me.
Location: prolly in my 'rubber room'... in the mid-west
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besides recycling, reusing and re purposing things...
i borrow sets from my demo too!
there have been times that using something at club has turned me 'on to' or 'off of' an item. my demo is good about taking 'requests' for techniques, tools or themes and stuff which is a big help too!
I share with my neighbor. We consult each other on the sets we choose, and made a book of the images so that we know what we have. We also split packs of card stock, ribbon, and other embellishments and share ink refills.
I share with my neighbor. We consult each other on the sets we choose, and made a book of the images so that we know what we have. We also split packs of card stock, ribbon, and other embellishments and share ink refills.
Ooooh! I wish you were MY neighbor!!
Kimberly
__________________ "There is a very fine line between hobby and mental illness." -- Dave Barry
I make a "wish list" and then sit on it for a week or 2 before I order. Usually, the non-must have stuff comes off slowly.
...I sit on my list for at least a month or two. I get over a lot of "Gotta haves" that way.
I also don't go to the stores (M's, HL, J's, LSS) unless I need something. If I don't go, I don't buy. I do keep coupons in my purse in case something comes up for a specific project or if I run out of something essential (like adhesive or white cardstock).
I allow little "splurges" occasionally--taking a sum of cash to the store and getting luxury items (a few embellies, or a stamp or two, or really cool paper, or a chipboard alphabet, etc.). That way, I don't feel deprived, but also don't do real damage to the checkbook.
For some reason, my neighborhood has not been receiving the Michaels coupons. Now I don't feel the need to go there to use my coupon. (I wonder if my husband contacted the press???)
I get my double sided tape from Sam's Club. 4 of the 3M acid free handled cartridges for $6-8 as opposed to $3 a piece at the craft stores - very good deal.
I buy my white grosgrain ribbon (which reminds me, I have to FIND that downstairs) at Walmart or some other store with a crafts department. It's $2 a roll (I believe) and if you need other colors, there's a tutorial for dyeing ribbon here on SCS. I also found a bag of hemp twine at Walmart - 150 yards of twine for $2.
HL and M's (which I have near me) sometimes have great deals on brads and eyelets - HL especially, 50% off Spare Parts embellishments. I only get brads from there, in my opinion SU's are too expensive, and I only buy those that look like they'd go with everything. I look when I'm at the store, but if it's not on sale, I don't buy.
When I buy from SU (and it's only a few times a year) I get a few stamp sets and cardstock (when needed and usually in the assortments). I have my wish list too: what I really want to have. I put a few things on the order each time I do order. When I was buying reinkers and markers, I'd buy 2 families, wait a while (6 months) then buy the other 2. I bought some assortments of eyelets, but they were over several orders and last me a very long time.
For some reason, my neighborhood has not been receiving the Michaels coupons. Now I don't feel the need to go there to use my coupon. (I wonder if my husband contacted the press???)
Me too! I haven't received a Michael's coupon in about 8 weeks. They just stopped putting their ads in our Flashes (local free weekly paper).
I put myself on a "stamping diet". When on the diet, I am not allowed to buy anything new (except for adhesives) and I must use only what I already own. I look around my craft room and wonder why on earth I'd ever need to buy anything for a million years -- but, thank goodness my diets only last for a few months at a time.
I have a fixed crafting allowance each month. Since I started having a set dollar amount to constrain myself within, I don't have to feel guilty for splurges because I know I have saved up for it.
I make wishes through Wish RAK. That way I get a few images of sets I don't think I'd use regularly but still want to play with. It has really helped. However, on a couple of occassions it did convince me to buy the set.
AUGH!!! I REALLY need to cut down on spending - but I keep giving in. Of course my SU minimums, then those awesome papertreyinks. Then the Big Shot/ Cuttlebug (I REALLY planned to not buy a die cut machine - D'Oh!). Now I gave into Bella's. Gotta rein it in! These are great tips and I need to really try them.
What's a wish RAK? I've often wondered about certain sets which none in my usual stamping group have. Is this a way to get some images to try out before you purchase?
Only buying things I absolutely love and know I will use a variety of ways.
Investing in quality tools for their performance and durability from the get-go, instead of cheap substitutions that break down and subsequently require replacing . . . ack!
Pre-planning my designs on cheap card stock, like Georgia Pacific from Wal Mart, so I don't waste good quality card stock with failed experimentation
Earning or saving the cash to purchase big ticket items, as opposed to buying them on credit
Limiting my spending on trendy items, and concentrating it more on classic items
Limiting my spending on single-use items, such as rub-ons; stamps can be used repeatedly, for a lifetime, or sold when no longer wanted to recoup at least part of the initial investment made on them
Sometimes investing in pre-fab; it can sometimes be more cost-effective, not to mention time-effective, in the long run, than purchasing the supplies and tools to make something from scratch--especially if you only need a few of a particular item
Not purchasing things on sale, just because they're a good deal
Not purchasing bulk quantities of something when I have absolutely no project in mind for
Last, but, certainly not least, I suspect that if I would invest more in storage and organization, it would help me find, and therefore USE, all the stuff I've bought and prevent me from purchasing duplicates of what I already have. And, that would probably equate to more savings than I might imagine. ;)
__________________ Julie Ebersole (JulieHRR once upon a time . . . )julieebersole.com"So shines a good deed in a weary world." -Willy Wonka
If I am matting a large image where only the border of the mat will be seen, I punch a scalloped oval or circle out of it first. The punched hole left in the mat will be covered up by the main image. Is that really cheap of me?? I hate to use a large mat for only the littlest of a border showing. It makes me feel less like I am wasting paper.
Oh about buying sets. I only buy sets that I can think of 8 ideas or more for. Then when I get new sets, I leave them out (not stored away) until I make at least 8 things. Then they can get stored in my drawers because I will not forget I own them!
If I am matting a large image where only the border of the mat will be seen, I punch a scalloped oval or circle out of it first. The punched hole left in the mat will be covered up by the main image. Is that really cheap of me?? I hate to use a large mat for only the littlest of a border showing. It makes me feel less like I am wasting paper.
This past month I've been deleting unread all the emails advertising sales or specials that have arrived in my inbox, and have definitely saved money by doing so. I try not to open discussion threads here with enabler alert in them, either. So far, so good!
__________________ Lauri G.
Blessed wife and mom
TAC demo #2239
This year I'm allowing myself 3 SU! Hostess orders and adhesive purchases. Everything else I've sworn off. Sure, I get the urge to buy a Cuttlebug or Cricut but then I stare at my Quickutz that doesn't get used nearly as much as I thought it would. Once I get my supplies down to a more reasonable level, I'll permit myself to buy the trendy stuff again.
Thanks so much for this thread I am so in need of it, and the ideas so far are like she said brillant. Bring on more there are some of us who need all the help we can get.
__________________ Life is Way to Short NOT to be QUEEN. side note: IF YOU ARE WAITING FOR SOMEONE TO PLACE THE TIARRA ON YOUR HEAD... DON'T!!! Get your own and be Queen.
I have 2 friends who live near me who NEVER plan on moving away. We have a spreadsheet listing what each other has and whenever we buy more stamps, we add to the list and send it out. That way if we need a set we don't have, we know who does (or may).
The best way I save money is simply by not shopping. I don't go to my HL, LSS, or M unless for a very specific project (which is not very often). When I don't spend time surfing all the website links I find on this site... all the scrapbooking links, etc. I save. When I spend a lot of time on the computer, I spend more.
And I'm going to get flamed here, but... I stay out of the $ spots and the $ stores (unless it's project specific). It's amazing how quickly you can spend a lot because it's only a $! I don't buy items to use for some future altered something or other. If I only buy for a specific project, my budget is much better off
1. I stay off the SCS site and blog sites as much as possible
2. I put several stamp sets and a bunch of paper close to me when working so I use what I have
3. I don't go into the LSSs just to 'browse'
4. I tell myself I can make a nice card without having everything that everyone else seems to have; and if I can't make a nice card without all these things, there is something very wrong!
5. I go through my sets/stamps periodically to remind myself of what I have/have not used; I am amazed that I haven't touched certain stamps since I have bought them months ago; these go on my stamping desk.
6. Ribbon!!! I bypass Michaels ribbon bin and keep on going if I happen to be in there. And (sorry Jody!) I use up what I buy from TexasJodyLynn before going in on a ribbon buy. I know she has one coming up in June. I've got a lot of ribbon to go through before making that buy
7. I compromise. If I buy ribbon from Jody, I don't buy a stamp set(s) that month.
AND LASTELY, buy a new car!! Driving around a good chunk of money makes you put your spending into perspective!! I don't advise this as a real solution (hee hee), but it sure worked on me!
I'm a compulsive buyer when it comes to my scramping. It's horrible! I have learned that staying away from the stores is the only way for me to control myself. Now I only go with a special purchase in mind. I'm a tool junkie so when I see a new punch (Scallop!!!) a better cutter I have a hard time saying no to it. I just got the Cuttlebug and I'm going NUTS on the dies and folders!
My favorite place to visit is the Gallery. All the different stamps are demostrated there. If I don't see a good variety of cards in a stamp I was thinking about buying, I can usually talk myself out of getting it.
We have 2 checking accounts in our house. One is at one bank and is for the household, the other is at ANOTHER bank and is for my ebay and stamping stuff. I sell on ebay, have the $$ deposited into the checking account and there is MY spending money. That cuts down on the spending for 2 reasons:
#1) If there isn't anything I am willing to sell on ebay, there isn't any money in that account
#2) If I want to be sneaky and deposit $$ in there I have to write out a check from one account go to the other bank, deposit it and wait 3 days for the check to clear.
I know it seems like a lot of work BUT I am such a compulive if I am at HL or M I will spend. I won't break us or put us in the poor house but I will spend, usually more than I should LOL! I also do the wish list and let is sit there until I have the $$ to buy, by that time the list is half what it started out.
__________________ Tammy "I became insane, with long intervals of horrible sanity. "
� Edgar Allan Poe My little gallery
These are all great ideas and some that I already incorporate. I love the ebay idea. Sell and earn. I will have to look into that. Another idea is to participate in swaps. You get other stamped images along with use of cuttlebug or diecut machines and premade cards you can use. I am loving the swaps I have particapated in for this reason and many more.
I admit I spend, sometimes on stuff I never really get my money's worth from, but lately,
� I've been trying to avoid buying "trendy" stuff. I know if another year, it won't be that hot, so I won't miss it. If, however, the trend is something that totally meets with my personal taste and I know I'll use it a ton, then I will invest.
� I also try not to spend money on consumables... ribbon, embellishments, rub-ons, etc. unless I KNOW I can use them or they are a bargain I can't pass up.
Now, I bought a cuttlebug and folders and dies, but I can use them again and again and again in so many ways, that, to me, it's totally worth it. Also, I invested in some alphabet dies, but I will have them forever, unlike letter stickers and rub ons. Also, I use up my papers and scraps die cutting and embossing.
� I also look at all the wonderful stamps and papers I have and realize that I have enough to make lots of stuff if I just use what I have.
I often buy stuff at Mike's or JoAnn, etc. even with a coupon, but I'll return it within a week or two if I realize I can live without it.
I have been avoiding the stores like ACmoore and Michaels. I used to go in just because I had a coupon. I went to ACMoore the other night and used my coupon on a spiderman candle for my son's birthday cake. I find going there to browse is dangerous. I also needed glue dots, I ended up spending less than $8. I am going to Creating Keepsakes this week and have been saving. I have been buying less stamp sets and just replenishing my paper and adding to my inks. I have lots of stamps that are getting dusty. I have been trading for new sets. I have been buying sizzix dies in the buy sell trade area. WE use the sizzix for crafts and my husband uses it for Cub Scouts. Last year I sold some stuff at a yard sale at the sb store. I do not have the latest of everything. I think a monthly budget for supplies is a great idea. I read a great idea for Christmas shopping that we could adapt--decide how much you are going to spend on someone--put that amount of money in cash in an envelope and then go shopping--when the cash is gone--stop! It is hard with all the great cards, etc we see here, but I try to figure out how to make nice cards, etc., with what I have at home! I do make a list of what I love and have to have and then go from there. I am looking forward to the new catalog.
So I guess my advice is to only buy what you need and take your time doing it. I will wait for sales!
__________________ Pia 2024 Scrapbook goals April 16/10 layouts YTD 91/120 Check out my gallery
For the big purchase items I use the $1 rule... if the item costs $20 then I have to know I'll be able to use it on at least 20 different projects, $50 - 50 projects etc... and I don't mean 50 Christmas cards, that's just 1 project KWIM? I do this with stamps and stamp sets too.
I use that for the smaller ticket items too, if I see some really cool silk flowers and there are 3 in a pack but the pack costs $5, I put it back. I can't use it on 5 projects if there are only 3 items in the pack. It really helps see things in a different light.
I can see borrowing from other stamp addicts but not from a demo. There are many threads and posts on the demo side about how uncomfortable most demos are with being asked to borrow. Some do it and some "rent" sets, but to ask to borrow someones business tools reather than buying them from her, ......well, you can see how this could put her in an uncomfortable situation. No demo wants to seem rude, selfish, or make a customer unhappy, but we ARE trying to SELL the sets. YKWIM?
__________________ ~Vee
It's not who you know-it's whom you know.
Wow these tips are awesome and like others, I just stay away from the stores, I am really staying away from the bellas and even papertrey. I have way more than I can use for awhile. I like the idea of using the white card for the main piece.
One way I have cut down spending
