Stamp to Spend Challenge

[CareBear5]

Here's how it works:

For every fifteen cards you complete, allot yourself $20 to spend on supplies. That way you're using your stash but able to shop as you go! (Adhesive is NOT included - you can buy those whenever you need to do so)

If you're a scrapbooker, every five layouts would be $20. If you're big on altering, every ten altered items would be $20.

Put it on your profile and keep it updated on how many you've done and how much you've spent. For instance:

Layouts: 17
Cards: 18
Allotted: $80.00
Spent: $45.00

I'm going to start this in the new year. Anybody want to join in? You can change the amounts as needed for your own budget.

[diane617]

I've never been good at budgeting, but I did make 20 cards yesterday! It is a good idea.

[scpd]

What a great idea -- an excellent incentive to use what I have in stock! If I want $300 to spend for Sale-a-Bration in February & March, I'll definitely have to get busy in January!!

[lcmdws]

That is a great idea - have to adjust down to fit my budget BUT will feel so much better about spending the money I was gonna spend anyway!! Will start in Jan. as well, so that I don't have to make 7000 cards between now and Dec. 31 to justify what I spent so far this year! Ha. So just like put it in our siggy line? Fun.

[CareBear5]

Excellent! I didn't make it all the way through last year, but it sure helped keep me on track. And for a while, my supplies didn't "grow" since I was actually using them. But I did get to buy new stuff. I can't stand the idea of "make 500 cards before you buy anything". It would never fly for me. January 1, we're all over this.

[stamptician]

What an interesting and fun way to keep your spending in line and still have fun! Thanks for the idea. I'll have to see how I would need to adjust for my budget.

[PMR]

What a great idea! I may have to consider it.

[SDiegoGal]

Hmmm. This could be dangerous. What if I crank out 15 swap cards each day. In a week, I could "earn" over $100 dollars! lol Good for me, bad for DH.

[CareBear5]

There's no law against staying UNDER budget, Michele!

[lovingyoualways]

Oh I like this idea! Can't wait for January to roll around.

[Annek]

Quote:

Originally Posted by lovingyoualways

Oh I like this idea! Can't wait for January to roll around.

Me too, me too! This is an awesome idea! Carebear - thanks for sharing this with us!

Anne

[SDiegoGal]

Quote:

Originally Posted by CareBear5

There's no law against staying UNDER budget, Michele!

See? That's my problem. I would spend it as soon as I earned it. lol Being under budget never even occurred to me!

[krystie lee]

It's a great idea! I was thinking about something along those lines the other day.

[sprtchick]

hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm wonder if all the soldier cards count....lol

[craftygirl04]

This is a really great idea!!! I try to only spend what I earn on cards that I've sold. It's a really good way to budget. I do like your suggestion though, perhaps I'll try that....it sounds more fun!

[Choc0holic]

This is a really good idea. I'll have to make a lot of cards, a lot of layouts, and a lot of altered items to get what I want out of the new catty!

[Pr31stamper]

Great idea! I am a little snug on $$ and was starting to reconsider being in card club. (I have, ahem, a few too many sets that haven't seen ink yet...) Maybe I can make 15 cards a month (plus CC swaps) to justify my monthly spending. yay!

[CareBear5]

Glad you guys like it! I made it through April last year keeping track, but am determined to do all the way in 2008.

[Stampin' Adventurer]

This is a great idea! I plan on trying it.

[smithr66]

Quote:

Originally Posted by CareBear5

There's no law against staying UNDER budget, Michele!

Where's the fun in that?

[Untrapped Soul]

I had a similar thought recently, but had not quite figured out how to put it into action. Thanks for sharing this idea!

[CareBear5]

Excellent! We'll have quite a group starting. Should be good for support.

[Bethyblue]

I'm going to try this too.

[Scraperwannabe]

Sounds like a good idea!

--Misti

[missyterry]

I'm in....come on January!!!
I really like this idea Carebear.
Will you nudge us?
Should we 'subscribe'?
Haven't even begun and already I need HELP!!!

[Cicicara]

I think it's a great idea, too! Just keeping track of what I make, and linking it to spending will be very good for me. I like keeping track of what I make. This will be fun.

Thanks,
Leslie

[Cicicara]

Bumping a good idea!

[slyn11]

Count me in! Just what I need. This challenge will work great with another spending support group I joined on a scrapbooking site.

[Tavias Charms]

sounds like an excellent idea.

[GarnetJ]

I need SOME kind of a budget. I really overspent this year. But I'm with Laurie -- will have to adjust this somehow. I have SO MUCH cardstock on my shelves!!! Need to use it up faster.

[stamptician]

[quote=GarnetJ;8086494]

Quote:

I need SOME kind of a budget. I really overspent this year.

Wow, so did I. Spent a ridiculous amount of money. Only God knows when or if I could ever use up all the supplies I have. Not to mention I purchased 3 of the "big guns" this year: Cricut, Cuttlebug, Design Runner, and the cartridges, embossing folders and other ammunition to make them work. I love the tools but, I can't believe I did this. And on top of that I'm a true hobbyist demo and I buy my minimums. So, I've got stamps, scrappin' kits, inks, etc. I want to do this budget thing but, I also have to commit to staying out of the LSS and just buying my supplies from SU. Cause I just can't give up SU. So, I have to come up with a # that will allow me too spend $100 a month on SU. This should be interesting.

[dorothyjane]

I am definitely in. Can you please explain further where I track it?

[carolc1027]

Count me in...I too am a hobby demo with SU....but frequently hit other stores (it doesn't help that I food shop every Saturday and AC Moore is right next door and Michaels is across the street)....maybe I should change food stores????

Have a safe and happy holiday season.....'see' you all in January!

Carol

PS - where should we keep track???

[stamptician]

Quote:

Originally Posted by carolc1027

Count me in...I too am a hobby demo with SU....but frequently hit other stores (it doesn't help that I food shop every Saturday and AC Moore is right next door and Michaels is across the street)....maybe I should change food stores????

Have a safe and happy holiday season.....'see' you all in January!

Carol

PS - where should we keep track???

Hey Carol,
I just read the first post that CareBear started the thread with and she said to put it in your profile. Now, I'm not sure how to do this, but I'm going to look now and if I figure it out and let you know.

[Anemone]

I like this idea. (Of course, now I need more cs, 'cause I don't have enough! I foresee a lot of card set gifts in my friends & families futures. LOL

[PMR]

I just edited my signature, I just put 2008 creations
SB pages
Cards made

I think this is a great idea!

[mollymoo951]

Cool!

[carolc1027]

Okay - I have added everything to my signature line.....

Can we start now??????? I have a quarterly minimum to make and I am my only customer!

Have a wonderful holiday everyone!

[pammers]

Quote:

Originally Posted by GarnetJ

I need SOME kind of a budget. I really overspent this year. But I'm with Laurie -- will have to adjust this somehow. I have SO MUCH cardstock on my shelves!!! Need to use it up faster.

Me too!!! I like this idea of keeping track. There are some months that I'm dry and don't do anything then, I go bizerk and spend way too much and still don't do anything! For example...I never made my Christmas cards...gasp!

pam

[dorothyjane]

Me too. I am starting tomorrow. Thanks for the info on the signature line that was easy. My stamping room is calling me!!!!!!!!!!!!