|
|
Post by paperpilekitten on Feb 5, 2016 13:55:30 GMT
I have a smaller scrap budget than ever before, so I try to stick to my subs and not be too tempted by other things. I might pick up a few smaller items that's not too expensive (a pen, a patterned paper, ink pads) but, of course, when you add them up I realize I'm stretching my budget anyway. So I have to come up with a few strategies to keep me from over-shopping. This morning I was sooo tempted to pick up some thickers on sale online. It was only $4 and no extra shipping or fees. But I still hesitated, because I know I have enough alphas and letters in my stash. So I began to sort a few small bins on my desk filled with embellishments and quite messy. While I organized those items, I realized I have so much stuff! I do not need to buy more. So I emptied my shopping cart and left the web shop without buying. Then I sat down and wrote a blog post where I figured out some more strategies to stop the urge to shop. Since I know there are still some frozen peas here, I thought maybe someone would be interested in reading and maybe share some more tips? I could use them! Here's the link to the blog post. |
|
|
|
Post by mikklynn on Feb 5, 2016 14:49:22 GMT
I unsubscribed to all the shopping emails, not just scrapbooking.
|
|
|
|
Post by chrispeas on Feb 5, 2016 14:59:46 GMT
What she said! I had to do that plus not giving in to all the enabling posts here on the boards, FB and blogs. I have enough in my stash already. I have allotted a certain amount of space for things. Example: My washy tape and ribbons fit perfectly in their storage container. There is no room for more so I don't buy more.  I don't use letter stickers, but prefer to make my own with all my sizzix alpha strips and my Quickuts and other dies and die cutters. I can make them whatever color I need. Good luck! |
|
|
|
Post by acd on Feb 5, 2016 15:27:57 GMT
I just read your blog post (great ideas btw) and joined the scrap stash kit club.
Many thanks!
|
|
christinec68
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,121 
Location: New York, NY
|
Post by christinec68 on Feb 5, 2016 15:36:34 GMT
Something that helps me not to shop is to challenge myself to make x number of layouts before I can buy anything. My current number is 40 layouts, I have 7 or 8 finished so far. I can rationalize that if I am actually using up my supplies, it will be ok to buy more things when it's time. It has also made me more intentional about what I purchase.
|
|
|
|
Post by thracian on Feb 5, 2016 15:52:01 GMT
Tell yourself you can't buy anything new until you create 25 (or 50) layouts.
Here's what really worked for me: last year I bought a bunch of new stuff. But by the end of the year, I noticed many of those items were on sale six months later. Some of it was stuff I had purchased but not used yet. This was a significant wake-up call. I realized I have plenty of supplies to scrap with. Really, I'm spoiled for choice. If I still want something by the time it goes on sale, I can get it then. This helps me make purchases that are more purposeful instead of getting caught up in oh-it's-so-new-and-pretty thoughts.
Good luck!
|
|
|
|
Post by paperpilekitten on Feb 5, 2016 16:21:29 GMT
I just read your blog post (great ideas btw) and joined the scrap stash kit club. Many thanks! Yay! Welcome! |
|
|
|
Post by paperpilekitten on Feb 5, 2016 16:24:20 GMT
Tell yourself you can't buy anything new until you create 25 (or 50) layouts. Here's what really worked for me: last year I bought a bunch of new stuff. But by the end of the year, I noticed many of those items were on sale six months later. Some of it was stuff I had purchased but not used yet. This was a significant wake-up call. I realized I have plenty of supplies to scrap with. Really, I'm spoiled for choice. If I still want something by the time it goes on sale, I can get it then. This helps me make purchases that are more purposeful instead of getting caught up in oh-it's-so-new-and-pretty thoughts. Good luck! Set a goal! That's a great tip! Thanks! I think there's even a Facebook group doing that? And also, picking up things on sale is a good thing. As I wrote in the post, I've discovered that if I make a wishlist and let it sit for a while, I discover I don't want half of those things, anyway. |
|
christinec68
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,121
Location: New York, NY
|
Post by christinec68 on Feb 5, 2016 16:25:40 GMT
Tell yourself you can't buy anything new until you create 25 (or 50) layouts. Here's what really worked for me: last year I bought a bunch of new stuff. But by the end of the year, I noticed many of those items were on sale six months later. Some of it was stuff I had purchased but not used yet. This was a significant wake-up call. I realized I have plenty of supplies to scrap with. Really, I'm spoiled for choice. If I still want something by the time it goes on sale, I can get it then. This helps me make purchases that are more purposeful instead of getting caught up in oh-it's-so-new-and-pretty thoughts. Good luck! I do the same thing. When I'm ready to shop, I'll check the deal sites and pick up a couple of collections at a huge discount. For me it's fine if it's not the latest and greatest...it's still new to me.  (plus it's likely it would have sat in my stash for a while anyways) |
|
|
|
Post by paperpilekitten on Feb 5, 2016 16:25:49 GMT
Something that helps me not to shop is to challenge myself to make x number of layouts before I can buy anything. My current number is 40 layouts, I have 7 or 8 finished so far. I can rationalize that if I am actually using up my supplies, it will be ok to buy more things when it's time. It has also made me more intentional about what I purchase. That's a great challenge! |
|
|
|
Post by paperpilekitten on Feb 5, 2016 16:27:39 GMT
There is no room for more so I don't buy more. Ha! That doesn't stop me!  I wish I had your mental strength. |
|
cristinac
Junior Member
Posts: 68
|
Post by cristinac on Feb 5, 2016 20:10:25 GMT
I am weak!! Normally waiting a few days works for me, but more often than not I give in right away. |
|
|
|
Post by scrapperal on Feb 5, 2016 20:29:11 GMT
Unsubscribing from emails helps, but even more helpful is to not remove myself from FB buy/sell and craft groups (or at least turn notifications off). Even the group doesn't allow buying/selling, people still talk about their great deal from whereever and it is so tempting to run out and pick up the latest deal.
And thinking about where I will store it is helpful also. I do not have any more room for ribbon or washi tape so unless it is a great deal or I can sell off some of my stash, no more washi tape for me (notice how I left myself an out there).
|
|
amom23
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,329
|
Post by amom23 on Feb 5, 2016 20:58:54 GMT
If you truly want to stop shopping then you just have to do it. It takes willpower and determination to reach a goal. I would guess a large percentage of people shop more than they scrap so stay out of stores and out of online shops and go scrapbook.
|
|
|
|
Post by cannmom on Feb 5, 2016 21:59:58 GMT
Good tips. I think I go in spurts. Sometimes I buy a good deal, but then I won't buy anything for a long time.
I definitely use the let it sit in the cart awhile trick. It really does work. If I'm purposely trying not to shop I don't look at the shopping sites at all.
I also think that getting into your stash and seeing what you have and using it is a good idea.
|
|
|
|
Post by anniefb on Feb 5, 2016 23:04:31 GMT
I was very tempted to pre-order some of the c'est la vie line this morning, but gave myself a good pep talk and closed the website  I just organised my craft room and I have a big paper stash and lots of other things as well. I really want to buy a Cameo this year so I don't want to fritter away money on paper etc I don't need. If I manage to use up a lot of my stash this year, then I'll give myself permission to go shopping again! |
|
|
|
Post by acd on Feb 5, 2016 23:49:08 GMT
I was very tempted to pre-order some of the c'est la vie line this morning, but gave myself a good pep talk and closed the website I just organised my craft room and I have a big paper stash and lots of other things as well. I really want to buy a Cameo this year so I don't want to fritter away money on paper etc I don't need. If I manage to use up a lot of my stash this year, then I'll give myself permission to go shopping again! That's a great goal! And a Cameo is worth it.  |
|
|
|
Post by dewryce on Feb 6, 2016 1:25:11 GMT
I get my husband involved  Especially when I'm manic and in less control. It's taken a while to learn to not hit that purchase button right away, but has been worth it! I do something similar to you, just dump everything in my cart and then look at it the next day, and sometimes the day following. When I have gotten it down to what I consider bare bones, then I bring him into the decision making process. It is not a control issue on his part, but mine. I find that if I can verbalize to him why I want what I want, then it is often more than a passing whim. And knowing that I am going to "run it by him" really makes me reconsider things. That being said, he has always spoiled me, so I know if he has reservations about something I really need to give it more thought before I move forward. I do the same thing with physical carts in stores. After I have shopped, I really scrutinize everything in my cart and normally find myself putting many things back. I am often not "able" to stop myself from putting it in the cart in the first place, but once I see the whole haul of what I just have to have it's a shock to the system and I scale way back. My best practice is just not to shop online or go to stores when I am manic. I love your idea of organizing some embellishments or something. Next time I have the urge to shop I will just go sit in my room and take out an embellishment drawer or some of my paper collections to enjoy them. It might also help me to look for papers or embellishments in the same color family. Thanks! |
|
|
|
Post by alissa103 on Feb 6, 2016 2:10:51 GMT
I was about to suggest making kits with your stash, and then I saw the Queen of a Stash Kits herself wrote this post But more specifically, if a specific paper line is really calling your name, rummage through your stash and try to copy cat it. It did this during this winter with Heidi Swapp's Oh what Fun line when I realized I probably had a ton of those patterns already in my stash. Here's my inspiration:   and here's my copy cat: |
|
|
|
Post by alissa103 on Feb 6, 2016 2:25:12 GMT
I have also made copy cats of kits before. I loved this one by Scrapbook Cards Today:  but I already had a few things in the kit and similar stuff in my stash. AND scrapping a little boy at Christmas does not lend itself to pink, so I wanted my kit to be pink-free. Here's my massive kit:
I even included dies and embossing folders to remind myself to use them! And I printed out that Bokeh Christmas light 3x4 card using a free image. Right below it is a Merry "stamp" I made using my silhouette sketch pens and my water color pencils. I just cut out an example to remind myself that I had it on my computer.
|
|
|
|
Post by danimakesgood on Feb 6, 2016 2:30:15 GMT
Going through my supplies really helps me. Reorganizing things, moving things around so I see what I haven't been seeing before and will hopefully be inspired to use it. I keep a trim stash though, too much overwhelms me. When I've been shopping too much, I go through it all and set it up so it will be USED. I organize, organize, organize.
What helped me was finally realizing, new stuff is coming out all the time. What I just have to have now will be old news in a year and I'll love something else just as much. I only buy what I know I'll really use and I make sure I use it!
|
|
|
|
Post by ghislaine on Feb 6, 2016 3:06:25 GMT
Well, I don't really suggest this one but on Sunday I got all the way to Michaels before I realized I forgot my purse!
|
|
|
|
Post by dewryce on Feb 6, 2016 3:23:10 GMT
Well, I don't really suggest this one but on Sunday I got all the way to Michaels before I realized I forgot my purse! Hey whatever works  Though this reminds me, a friend's husband did this when we were going on vacation without him because he didn't want her spending too much money. I am assuming he knew she would spend less if she had to borrow from someone else. We were 10 hours away when she realized she didn't have her credit cards. Could have killed him! I had no issues taking care of everything while we were there, but the stress it added to her and the enjoyment it took away from her....grrrrr |
|
|
|
Post by katlady on Feb 6, 2016 3:30:37 GMT
Going through my stuff makes me realize how much I have and how much i don't need! Also, I don't follow any of the CHA blogs, so I never know what is coming out and what is new. And I stay away from the scrapbook stores. |
|
|
|
Post by TracieClaiborne on Feb 6, 2016 7:07:23 GMT
I have also made copy cats of kits before. I loved this one by Scrapbook Cards Today: but I already had a few things in the kit and similar stuff in my stash. AND scrapping a little boy at Christmas does not lend itself to pink, so I wanted my kit to be pink-free. Here's my massive kit:
I even included dies and embossing folders to remind myself to use them! And I printed out that Bokeh Christmas light 3x4 card using a free image. Right below it is a Merry "stamp" I made using my silhouette sketch pens and my water color pencils. I just cut out an example to remind myself that I had it on my computer.
Alissa, I just love this idea! |
|
|
|
Post by paperpilekitten on Feb 6, 2016 9:46:31 GMT
I was about to suggest making kits with your stash, and then I saw the Queen of a Stash Kits herself wrote this post But more specifically, if a specific paper line is really calling your name, rummage through your stash and try to copy cat it. It did this during this winter with Heidi Swapp's Oh what Fun line when I realized I probably had a ton of those patterns already in my stash. Here's my inspiration: and here's my copy cat:Hehe. Yes, that's why I'm able to stay away from the new CHA collections this year. I've seen it all before. It's already in my stash. I don't need to buy it again. Wow, you're kit is amazing! I had to look twice to see the difference between the new collection and your kit! Great kitting! |
|
|
|
Post by paperpilekitten on Feb 6, 2016 9:48:33 GMT
Well, I don't really suggest this one but on Sunday I got all the way to Michaels before I realized I forgot my purse! That's a good one! |
|
Deleted
Posts: 0
May 2, 2024 3:14:01 GMT
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 6, 2016 10:46:54 GMT
I loved your blog post. I don't get any crafting newsletters. The only newsletters I get are frugality newsletters. I am a little frugalista. I use to teach it. Seriously reading frugality newsletters really keeps your shopping in check. I make most of my things I use in scrapbooking. I do love to stash shop but 90% of the time I am stash shopping items I can create things with like paint for example. This tip is a bit controversial and one I do not share often. Before I write it I want to say I am very big into supporting scrapbook designers. I do own a lot of pretty things from them. This is my controversial tip. I don't buy just because it's a scrapbook star. I don't want to open up my book and say "Oh this is so and so's wood veneer. I want to see the wood veneer I made and the pictures I took. I want my history and story on that page. Why I started going by this adage is because I made something one time using a scrapbook stars items. A few years later a friend was admiring it and asked me about the embellishments and I could not remember who made them. That made me realize ten years later when we open our books most of us are not going to care who made that chipboard embellishment on our pages. Yes, I still do buy things but I buy because I love the item. I want that flamingo. Not because it was so and so's flamingo. This has saved me a lot of money. Keep everything organized. What really helps me I keep everything organized and pretty. I want it to stay pretty so I don't keep adding things until my area gets full. If that area does get full I have to use it. It does not get another storage system that will also cost money. I am not hard nose about this rule. I just split my rhinestone bling to two boxes. My ribbons stay in one and the box is not allowed to be a bigger box or I am going to find it overwhelming and end up buying more ribbon instead of going to the stash I worked hard to collect. I will post one more. I think a lot of us shop to relieve stress or we are upset. I have had a very upsetting night. I was so tempted to block out my bad night with some online browsing. I read an ebook instead. I think a lot of time we shop for craft supplies because we are too stressed or upset to craft. I think it's a way for us to not lose our mojo. When I am upset I usually play a game or read instead of shop. |
|
|
|
Post by janet100 on Feb 6, 2016 23:41:26 GMT
I use all of the ideas others have presented. Very helpful.
I also find that putting actual money into a bucket/coffee can/bank account that can be used for crafts helps. Every month I put money into that bucket. It makes it easier for me to see the benefit of not shopping as I watch the savings build up. If I don't buy any lunches at work (packed my own from home), I take half that money and put it into my craft account. If I did not spend any money on entertainment, I put that money into the craft account. I do save in other areas of my budget to see if I can put more money into the craft fund. I live pretty frugally over all.
I am guilty of retail mood therapy. I've noticed that I shop when I'm upset. I'm working hard to curb this behavior also.
|
|
|
|
Post by alissa103 on Feb 6, 2016 23:56:27 GMT
I am guilty of retail mood therapy. I've noticed that I shop when I'm upset. I'm working hard to curb this behavior also. Me too. Lately I've found that if I can create instead, that will cure my itch to shop. Even if I don't have a ton of time, I'll just "shop my stash" and make a kit or pull papers together for a certain group of photos. Seeing my stuff, a great kit I've just pulled together using existing supplies, etc. is nice way to get some "therapy" without it costing a thing! |
|
I don't use letter stickers, but prefer to make my own with all my sizzix alpha strips and my Quickuts and other dies and die cutters. I can make them whatever color I need. 
(plus it's likely it would have sat in my stash for a while anyways)
I wish I had your mental strength. 
Especially when I'm manic and in less control. It's taken a while to learn to not hit that purchase button right away, but has been worth it! I do something similar to you, just dump everything in my cart and then look at it the next day, and sometimes the day following. When I have gotten it down to what I consider bare bones, then I bring him into the decision making process. It is not a control issue on his part, but mine. I find that if I can verbalize to him why I want what I want, then it is often more than a passing whim. And knowing that I am going to "run it by him" really makes me reconsider things. That being said, he has always spoiled me, so I know if he has reservations about something I really need to give it more thought before I move forward.
