How To Control Spending

There's been a bit of discussion on Splitcoast, regarding the costs of stamping, and various ways to save money.  Keep in mind that the following is just my humble opinion, and comes from what I've personally learned over my 13 years of stamping . . . *grin*

Hobbies, generally speaking, are not "cheap".  Hunting, fishing, model building, oil painting, gardening, etc., all have expenses that come with them for tools, supplies & materials, and in some cases, education/training to learn more about the hobby you enjoy.

Some things to think about, regarding spending:

• Start with good basics (stamps, ink, paper).  Also, a $13.95 circle punch may seem spendy at the time, however, simple geometric shapes are my most frequently needed, so I get much more mileage for my $13.95 investment in that, than I do in a specialized shape
• Invest in quality tools; cheap substitutions usually do not perform well, or break down, subsequently causing you to spend even more to replace them.  My Milwaukee Heat Gun performs as well today, as it did when I purchased it for $32.95 11 years ago, and has *never* failed me.  If I ever have to buy another, you can bet that Milwaukee has earned my loyalty, and I won't hesitate to pay full price!
• Assess how likely you are to use something in a variety of ways; the more versatile it is, the more value you are getting for your investment
• Don't purchase something just because it's a great deal--if you don't love it, you won't use it = wasted money
• Don't purchase in bulk, unless you have at least one specific idea, hopefully more than one, in mind for the product, or again, wasted money
• Don't buy it "all" at once!  You may find your taste changes as you learn/explore more, and you can't use it all at once anyway! *wink*
• If you haven't used it in a year, chances are, you are not gonna again, so get rid of it (sell it, trade it, give it to someone, etc.) and free up some storage space for something you will use!
• What do you enjoy making most?  Invest in products that are geared toward that.  For example, I enjoy card-making more than anything else; investing in tools for making my own books (such as a Bind-It-All, which I think is *uber* cool, and I want one only because it is cool), would not be a wise investment for me and I *know* it; I don't actually like making books. (insert shocked expression)  So, it would be wiser for me to buy the occasional pre-fab book when I do want to make one as opposed to investing in a tool I'd use so rarely.  I also think about for whom, and for what occasions I am most likely to stamp:  I *love* flowers, and they work well for all girls in my life, and are suitable for get well, birthday, thinking of you, sympathy, friendship, etc.  For the men in my life, well, they all fish and are into sports, so I focus on products that enable me to create a variety of projects that suit.  I also love things such as coffee, chocolate, girlie stuff (shopping, dresses, shoes, purses), snowmen/snowflakes, and last, but not least:  appletinis *wink*
• There are certain embellishments that pack a wollop, but are relatively inexpensive and worth having on hand, as staple items, from the get-go.  I would be lost without: Prisma Glitter and a Sakura Quickie Glue Pen, Mini brads, ribbon, and a bottle of Prima "Got Flowers" (dang, have you seen how many little blossoms there are in each bottle???).  These are things I always keep available and re-stock when the supply gets low because, more often than not, when I need that extra little touch to set off a design, these rescue me perfectly and I love them!
• If you need to, create a monthly spending allowance and stick to it.  If there's a big ticket item you want, what are you willing NOT to buy or how much are you willing NOT to spend, for a few months to enable you to save to buy that item?
• Invest in organization and storage; if you can't find it, you won't use it, OR, you just might buy a duplicate 'cuz you forgot you already have it!  ACK!  ROTFL!

Now, if you got into stamping because you thought you'd "save some money by making your own cards", over purchasing them ready-made at the card shoppe, I'm sorry to inform you that this is a myth, and you need to quit deluding yourself!   ROTFLMAO!

But, if you consider the stress-relief that stamping provides, well, no offense to all the psychotherapists out there, but, any hobby, including this one, is well worth the investment for that reason alone. *chuckle*  That, and the joy of creating, simply for the sake of creating, give me immense personal satisfaction.

One thing, above all, holds true:  the friendships that grace my life, as a result of this obsession shared by so many, are absolutely priceless! *grin*

Comments

[Mo Moss]

Where were you when I needed you most. I am a compulsive buyer, see a card, think I need the stamp, make a card, and then don't use it much after that. But, I like having them in stock. I do not spend money in anyway,the way I spend on this craft. But, hearing my friends and family comment on what I do, is well worth it. I did like the idea of budgeting. I am considering it, but, not right away. Once in awhile, I do think twice, buy it anyway. I purchased all of the SU stuff I needed to make my Christmas cards, it is all in a bottom drawer with several other ideas. I am going to print this out, and reconsider my spending, honestly. Thanks for the tips, they truly are very true and I am going to learn something from it soon.

[Juanita]

To the point and wonderfully put! TFS.

[Joy]

Hi Julie...I am not a card maker...but love paper crafting and scrapping..I save up my husbands and my own change in a jar...when it gets full I use it to buy all the things I need for my hobbie! Love all your advice and your blog!

[Beth M]

Well said! I especially like the part about doing this to save money. Everytime I hear someone say this I have to laugh because they're obviously new to the hobby.

[Stamper Gail]

Can always count on you Jules for a great Wright Up! Now if only I'd listened to you 13 or so years ago when this whole addictive thing all began HA!

[K Ostvig]

some very sound advise.
I enjoyed reading it.

I also try to tell myself, if I wait the price will go down, and usually it does! Or a holiday rolls around and I get it as a present( this is me winking)

[Kathy scs kathat]

Sooooooooo true! I do try to remember these and I'm really starting to buy things I truly love and try to use and reuse them endlessy (of course, I've been on a major shopping frenzy this week but I'm worth it!)

[Kate]

Hi Julie! I read your blog regularly through Google reader - love it! I have a weekly feature on my blog called Frugal Friday, and I'd love to feature your article. I would, of course, give you complete credit and link back to Paper Trufflez. Let me know if that would be okay with you! Thanks!!

[Regina Davis]

Well said...especially about the myth of saving money over store-bought cards. It's great therapy!

[Michelle]

This is a wonderful write up Julie, thanks so much for your valued opinion and advice.

[Barb]

I agree wholeheartedly with your comments, Julie. My mom taught me to go for quality over quantity, and for me, that applies to stamping as well.

And yes, I do stamping/cardmaking for the stress relief and the sheer joy of creating art.

Nicely written!
barb

[Jovi]

Great tips Julie… I’ve always been an impulse buyer when it comes to crafts, now that I find things lying around that have never been used I think twice (or three times) before I actually buy it. I’ve quit the impulse buys… and my back account looks a lot nicer now!

[Michaelann]

Thank you Julie for compiling all your info and experience into a concise "page"!!! This info is beyond valuable and even experienced stampers need to be reminded of some if not all of these things!! Esp. if you haven't used it in a year or don't buy it if you don't love it!! Thank you once again for all the energy it used to compile all the info and bring it to us....your a gem- a gem of the light green appletini color, sparkling, sweet and tart and cheerful!

[Lisa Turni]

What a wonderful perspective! I am soo guilty of some of these...like I can't seem to stop buying paper packs!

[shelley davis]

I loved your article. I would like to add that I have had my Milwaukie heat gun for 20 years! I agree with you...money well spent!
Shelley

[Kim Schofield]

Great info, thanks!!

[cHRIS]

I found this whole thread very helpful. I have been stamping for almost 8 years now..I would love to have had this advice in the beginning..You are so right the friendships made through stamping have been priceless! Love your blog & advice as always.. Thanks

[Shannan]

SHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Don't tell my hubby that we're not saving money by making our own cards!!!!!!!!! LOL
What a great list! I love your point of view...you have great insight.
Thanks!

[lacyquilter]

I tip my hat to you, o wise one! The things we wish we had known before we bought it all! Wonderful advice!

[Beth]

Cuttlebug: 70.00
Package of CS: 5.00
Prima Flowers: 7.00
Joy & friendships from stamping: Priceless!

BTW- yes, I do now how many flowers are in the little Prima jars thanks to my 3-year old! I was amazed how they covered my floor and continued to multiple as I picked them up!

[diane mcvey]

AMEN, AMEN, AND AGAIN, AMEN!!!You are so right about everything you stated...I do tend to go overboard, but I'm old, I get to! LOL I hope you have a fabulous "end of the week"!! :)

[Sue]

AAahhh, your usual wisdom. I say this as I sit in my little corner that is STUFFED with wonderful things that I would love to use if only I could find the ones I need! Yep - storage and organization - highly important.

[teresa chapman]

Excellent information Julie.

Thank you :)

Teresa

[Rachel]

Very well written! I need to get to the organized state again. But even though I have not had a chance to use my stuff as much as I would like lately (due to work demands and spending too much time on SCS) I think this hobby is cheaper and more fulfilling than therapy.

[twinks]

I could've used this info about two years ago. Especially the last point about organization and storage. (wink) However, I've enjoyed every minute of dabbling into this and that trying to find my groove.

still looking for my groove...
thank you!

[Linda (LSN on SCS)]

Julie is wise and all knowing!

As always Julie...so well written!

Linda

[Rose Ann]

Very good points, Julie! Thank you for this! ;)

[Alana]

Well said!!! I agree wholeheartedly with all you said. I'm in the process of going through all my stuff and weeding out that which I don't use right now!

[Beth Rang]

Excellent tips. I wish I could go back in time to tell myself what to buy and what not to buy. Sticking to geometric punches rather than specific shapes would be big on my list. My staple items are very similar to yours - just added Stickles glitter glue instead of the loose glitter and the tiny gems from A Muse. Love those to add a little sparkle!

I'd suggest sticking to geometric brads too. I use round and square ones for almost everything.

[Ellen]

My feelings exactly, I stick to what I feel I will use and not usually for the moment stuff. Also, one has to know eventually your prize art work will end up in someone's trash. As always Julie, you are right on.

[Florence S]

Soooooooooooo true, thanks for the reminder, but (oops) bought the binder, it was on SALE.