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Post by sleepingbooty on Nov 24, 2019 19:16:10 GMT
One month and a week away from stepping into the new year (already!) and so much talk about crafty spendings, budget, class prices, etc. around here already. I thought it would be nice to have a budget discussion thread for those who want to watch their money. If you have specific plans on how to spend your money or financial goals you wish to attein, it can be a good idea to get them written down, find an accountability buddy if needed, inspire others to be more intentional with their crafty pennies, etc. Have you added up your scrappy spendings lately? Come to any conclusions? Do you have financial goals in mind for next year? Do you have things - crafty or not - on your 2020 purchase list that you want to keep focused on? Favourite methods or apps to track your spendings? Plans to freeze or chill regarding scrapbook supplies next year?  |
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Post by refugeepea on Nov 24, 2019 19:42:34 GMT
I feel like I do good with my spending. It tends to go in spurts. More after Christmas. More around my birthday. I've been scrapping since 1995, so I have an idea of my style, which is basic.  My stash can go a long way. I have a lot to scrap because I'm slow. I think I should reward myself to an Echo Park Warehouse sale next fall if I use things up.  Items I will continue to buy; adhesive, photos, albums, and occasionally cardstock. With the smaller amount of photos I take and the way I scrap (mostly divided sheet protectors) I REALLY need to use what I own. The plan is to only buy products that are very unique or specific to certain photos and might be hard to purchase later. I don't think I'll keep track of my spending. I've always seen scrapping as a hobby. Something to do. Plus, I have a lot of tools like a die cut machine, metal dies, and stamps I've bought over the years that help. |
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Post by amidwestkingdom on Nov 24, 2019 22:33:08 GMT
I canceled every sub this year except the KP main kit. I don’t miss any of my subscriptions. Next year, I am wavering on if I’m going to cancel my KP sub and use the money as my crafting yearly budget. I truly just want to buy what I desire versus making something I committed to work every month. UPDATE: After seeing this new release, I don't think that I can cancel my KP main kit sub, because she just gets me every month. It's truly the only kit I have loved using everything in each month. She's my equivalent to Starbucks  UPDATE UPDATE: I canceled my subscription before KP announced the closing of her shop. I’m going to shop my stash until further notice—I have enough. I will get the DD Paislee Press mini Kit if there is one this year and the CP collection if I love it. Whatever collections that I missed with CP I will grab what I can later, currently noticing that a 6x8 pad, ephemera pack, 6x12 sticker sheet, sticker pack and the phrase stickers are my most used items. I should just buy these and leave the rest in the future. |
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Post by mikklynn on Nov 24, 2019 23:13:19 GMT
I did track my scrapbook spending one year. I was ok spending $100/month at that time. I choose to spend less now. I really think twice before spending now, because I have a good stash and I am retired.
For me, being intentional, not impulsive, keeps my scrappy spending in check.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 24, 2019 23:13:52 GMT
I'm currently finishing up my annual big clean-up and organisation of my supplies. I have so much stuff. I really need and want to start using it all up before buying anything more. I just find it so hard to resist sometimes!
I want to go on a freeze but I definitely get FOMO so I'm not sure how well I would go.
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Post by joblackford on Nov 24, 2019 23:23:10 GMT
One month and a week away from stepping into the new year (already!) and so much talk about crafty spendings, budget, class prices, etc. around here already. Ooh, yes, let's!! (I love her!) I haven't come up with any specific plans, but I'm going to be counting inventory for my small crafty business very soon, which is always a wake up call. I can't lose track of things (well, I can, but I SHOULDN'T, I guess) and extra stuff just means more accounting, which is the worst part of running a business. So I will continue to focus on using what I have, loving what I have and having only what I really love, and seeing what I can do with what I have instead of buying new supplies. I don't have a specific monthly budget, but I try to think long and hard before buying anything major and I don't love shopping so I try not to do it much. I don't fool myself into thinking that a tax write-off makes things free. I'm really running out of space too, so that's a bigger driving force for me than anything. My space is right in the middle of my living space and I'm not willing to live in a mess. I have been stocking up a bit too much, and buying things that "might be" useful, which is not what I want to do. Ideally I buy something, bring it home, make the thing and use it all up. I use Craftybase to keep track of my business expenses (to manage my materials inventory, etc) but for everything else we just keep receipts/write down the amounts we spend and keep a record in a basic shared spreadsheet. We have records going back as long as we've been together (~20 years) and we review it monthly and at the end of the year. I include hobby stuff as fun, which also includes travel and outings and other things that we enjoy that aren't essential. In that sense, since we spend relatively little on concerts or shows or movies I justify that my hobby is pretty good value for money  |
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GiantsFan
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Post by GiantsFan on Nov 24, 2019 23:56:32 GMT
Yes I've thought about it.
I'm old-fashioned and still use a program to log all my purchases, with categories.(And I spent 20+ years working in accounting!) I usually only use it for tax purposes and keeping track of home repairs, etc. I ran a report on my "scrapbooking" account and I was surprised to find that this year I've spent almost double the average of my usual amount. Of course part of that is because the cost of the items have increased in price and the retreat/classes that I took, but I know that I've purchased more stuff, too. It also includes storage and a new IKEA drawer unit.
I want to support the paper crafting companies, but I'm just a hobby crafter and at some point I have to say no more. So my plan is to make it to the end of the year with no purchases. I have plenty of paper and adhesive. The only thing I can think of that I might need is Copic refills.
Anyway, I've been deleting crafty e-mails without reading them, and when I scroll through IG or watch YT, I try to think of what items I have that are similar.
I've already made it 8 days! 37 days to go. In January I will re-evaluate and set a budget.
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msliz
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Post by msliz on Nov 25, 2019 1:21:49 GMT
I just make mental notes to allow myself X amount for holiday and birthday gifts, and as I go through the year I try not to go overboard. Sometimes I'll even buy myself a pair of boots instead of pretty paper. Insanity!  |
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Post by artisticscrapper on Nov 25, 2019 2:11:13 GMT
I’ve haven’t spent too much this past year but only because I took a break from paper crafting. For the coming year I’m really concentrating on using up my stash. However, I did buy a couple of Black Friday albums to get my mojo going. I got a bunch of pictures developed so I’ll be working iron those. Also, they are closing the Tuesday Morning near me so that will way reduce any impulse buying.
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Post by 950nancy on Nov 25, 2019 2:24:36 GMT
My issue is more of I have plenty, but not as much space as I'd like. Instead of freezing myself, I put myself into limbo spending. I can't buy additional paper unless I use or donate enough to get more space. No more washi until I use up already purchased rolls. I find that having a set amount of space for most items helps me prioritize.
Tomorrow we are having all of our pipes replaced in our house. I had to clean out under sinks and my office closet. Holy sheep! I do think my stuff has multiplied in these areas and they aren't even crafting storage areas. It doesn't help that I have tubs and boxes of Christmas items that need to be wrapped everywhere also.
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Post by refugeepea on Nov 25, 2019 3:39:05 GMT
My issue is more of I have plenty, but not as much space as I'd like. Instead of freezing myself, I put myself into limbo spending. I can't buy additional paper unless I use or donate enough to get more space. No more washi until I use up already purchased rolls. I find that having a set amount of space for most items helps me prioritize.Tomorrow we are having all of our pipes replaced in our house. I had to clean out under sinks and my office closet. Holy sheep! I do think my stuff has multiplied in these areas and they aren't even crafting storage areas. It doesn't help that I have tubs and boxes of Christmas items that need to be wrapped everywhere also. This has helped me too! Once an Iris case gets full for a particular subject, no more! I now have one shelf on my Expedit that has flat embellishments and stickers. It's funny how once you get things organized (like my planner stuff!), you realize I'm good for quite a while.  And that sounds like a nightmare with the new pipes! I'm so glad you are going to get a sunny vacation! |
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Post by LavenderLayoutLady on Nov 25, 2019 5:00:02 GMT
I've been thinking about this a whole lot lately.
This year I spent very little on stash. I've also kept on scrapping. Consequently, I've used up lots of basics, and some often used themes, like birthday.
I really want to go into 2020 with a plan.
Scrapping is my only hobby I spend money on. (I do all my reading and online gaming for free)
But it's not just my hobby. It's my therapy. It's my only me time. It's important to me.
I think I want to write a couple of lists.
The first, a list of supplies I need to replace. Cardstock basics. Enamel dots. Adhesives. Page protectors. Birthday themed supplies.
Then a list of wants. TBD.
Finally, a budget. What I'm realistically willing to spend in 2020, and how many hours i have to work to make it. That really puts it in perspective, ya know? Then divide the budgeted money by month equally.
I also need to make a list of non-scrapbook expenses I'm saving for. *faints*
And maybe to round it all out, i should inventory what i do own, and make goals to use it. I especially need to make more use of my dies. Funny, but when i get so little dedicated scrap time, pulling out the ZipeMate and dies almost seem like too much effort.
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Post by pas2 on Nov 25, 2019 10:42:05 GMT
The only goal I have is to go back to my original practice of saying to myself “ I know its a great sale price but do I really need it/have an immediate use for it” before buying. With a part time income I became rather carefree with my crafting spending especially as I branched into stamping then mixed media and now journals. I am glad my TM closed, Many weeks have gone by that I watched haul videos and said, nothing there that I must have, same for all the 50% coupons at the big box stores. I even shocked myself by browsing AX and deleting most of my cart at the end. So here’s to hoping this renewed willpower continues in the new year.
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Post by sleepingbooty on Nov 25, 2019 13:26:55 GMT
I'm loving the discussion in here and the varied responses this thread has gotten so far! So many different perspectives and ways to try to budget/be mindful around scrappy spending.  Items I will continue to buy; adhesive, photos, albums, and occasionally cardstock. With the smaller amount of photos I take and the way I scrap (mostly divided sheet protectors) I REALLY need to use what I own. The plan is to only buy products that are very unique or specific to certain photos and might be hard to purchase later. Sounds like an amazing plan! You're taking the time to figure out what you're missing before filling the (otherwise potentially non-existant) gaps.  I truly just want to buy what I desire versus making something I committed to work every month. It's kind of liberating to let go of subscriptions, isn't it? It helps you figure out what you *truly* desire rather than stay in the must-use-this-next-month mindset. The great thing about taking a break from your subs is that you can pick one or multiple back up again if you feel like you're missing out anyway. Gone are the days of being waitlisted and FOMO on that front, fortunately. I did track my scrapbook spending one year. I was ok spending $100/month at that time. I choose to spend less now. I really think twice before spending now, because I have a good stash and I am retired. Congrats on tracking your spending for a full year! I totally understand how retirement shifts one's mindset regarding money even though you have more time for your hobbies. I'm trying to think like that early on to help me prepare for my future nowadays. The future of my generation regarding retirement is so unsure (millennial) so I'm trying to be more conscious on all fronts to help ease my mind in the present, my financial wellbeing in the long run. I want to go on a freeze but I definitely get FOMO so I'm not sure how well I would go. If it's any consolation, FOMO is something you can overcome with simple strategies (unsubscribing to scrappy emails and newsletters, unfollowing on social media or creating a separate account to follow all things scrapbooking and setting a timer a couple of times a week before you check that feed out, etc.) as long as you commit to them. Temptation is hard to beat, though, I understand what you mean. I don't have a specific monthly budget, but I try to think long and hard before buying anything major and I don't love shopping so I try not to do it much. I don't fool myself into thinking that a tax write-off makes things free. I'm really running out of space too, so that's a bigger driving force for me than anything. My space is right in the middle of my living space and I'm not willing to live in a mess. It must be even harder when you run a business that justifies any extra spending... Like you, I work with limited space for my scrap supplies and no dedicated room or nook for everything paper-related. I've found paper scraps, random alpha Thickers and ephemera in the oddest places in our living room. I'm old-fashioned and still use a program to log all my purchases, with categories.(And I spent 20+ years working in accounting!) I usually only use it for tax purposes and keeping track of home repairs, etc. I ran a report on my "scrapbooking" account and I was surprised to find that this year I've spent almost double the average of my usual amount. Of course part of that is because the cost of the items have increased in price and the retreat/classes that I took, but I know that I've purchased more stuff, too. Ouch, double the usual is painful but at least you're aware of it and you can rectify your scrappy spending to make up for it over the next few years to try and balance things out again if necessary. Awareness is key and it seems like you've figured out a system to keep yourself in check. 20 years in accounting has its perks!  Anyway, I've been deleting crafty e-mails without reading them, and when I scroll through IG or watch YT, I try to think of what items I have that are similar. Yeah, this is what I've been doing for the past few months: most of the scrappy newsletters I remained subscribed to have been deleted before reading. It really does help tame the FOMO and calm the mind. There's no subconscious "turn-over pressure" to deal with, no cycles of sales and new stuff to feel the need to spend. Sometimes I'll even buy myself a pair of boots instead of pretty paper. Insanity! Cheating on your paper stash, how dare ya? Also, they are closing the Tuesday Morning near me so that will way reduce any impulse buying. I'm both jealous of you guys having TM and relieved we don't. I don't know whether it would be a good idea for me to live near one, to be honest.  I find that having a set amount of space for most items helps me prioritize. Treating your home by looking at it from a "this is the exact amount of space I have for XYZ" point of view is what I do, too! I totally agree that it helps and not just with scrap stuff. It's a bit like managing a mini store: I can have this volume of a particular kind of stuff and beyond that, it's too much. I really want to go into 2020 with a plan. It's always a good idea to have plan! Hope this thread helps you figure out what it is. Scrapping is my only hobby I spend money on. (I do all my reading and online gaming for free) But it's not just my hobby. It's my therapy. It's my only me time. It's important to me. It's difficult to be careful with your "bonus" spending whether you have one hobby or more that you allocate funds too. With multiple, you have several activities that you're paying for but with just the one, you might be more tempted to be a little loose because that's the only one you're spending cash on. It's a dilemma either way.  I'm glad you've got this hobby in your life that helps you carve out some me-time and feels like cathartic! That's so important. Finally, a budget. What I'm realistically willing to spend in 2020, and how many hours i have to work to make it. That really puts it in perspective, ya know? Then divide the budgeted money by month equally. *nods along* Abso-freakin'-lutely. The only goal I have is to go back to my original practice of saying to myself “ I know its a great sale price but do I really need it/have an immediate use for it” before buying. Spending becomes automatic so quickly, doesn't it? You get that buyer's high and before you know, you've forgotten to stop, ask yourself about your potential purchase and thought about it before going through with it. |
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Post by sleepingbooty on Nov 25, 2019 13:47:35 GMT
Replying to my own questions... Have you added up your scrappy spendings lately? Come to any conclusions? | I tracked accurately last year and drew conclusions end 2018/early 2019. I was spending significantly less than the average scrapbooker but I still wasn't comfortable with the amount so I cut back and set myself seasonal budgets. To help stay on the right path, I kept tracking and calculating what I spent. It has definitely helped and if anything, it has pushed me to be more creative, particularly when it comes to using my stamp sets (major sunk cost!) and watercolours. It's been more fun creating since, believe it or not. Do you have financial goals in mind for next year? | Yes. I want to save 20% of my income. Not 18 to 20 like right now but a full 20 all the way through. Beyond that, I want to make sure that the usual budget spent on my Disneyland Paris annual pass (not renewing for 10-ish months) + bullet train trips isn't all swallowed up by other activities, hobbies mindlessly. I actually would like to save 50% of that budget rather than have it become fully open to being invested elsewhere straight away. Do you have things - crafty or not - on your 2020 purchase list that you want to keep focused on? | Definitely! No specific crafty things on my purchase list for 2020 although I'm still tempted to get a Cameo at some point in the future but for next year, we'd like a new Sonos speaker for our home and a few more weekend trips in our favourite European cities than we had this year. On my "just for myself" 2020 purchase list, I have a new bottle of Fille en Aiguilles by Serge Lutens, a new pair of K.Jacques sandals and a full subscription at the local opera (currently on a limited sub: can't see all the operas shown through the year with it). Favourite methods or apps to track your spendings? | I've embraced technology and use Money Manager via Android to track where my money goes. Colourful pie charts, fully customisable, just what I needed.  Plans to freeze or chill regarding scrapbook supplies next year? | I've been chilling since June, approximately. I've been extremely careful with my scrappy spending and I waited until last week to buy some essentials and a Christmas album. I've looked, put stuff in my cart and walked away from the website without checking out many times throughout his second half of the year. I plan on pursuing this method in 2020. I also want to go through an inventory of my mini stash in January to properly figure out what I realistically will need to add to it in the coming year. |
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Post by hop2 on Nov 25, 2019 13:49:37 GMT
My goals for 2020
Maintain my photo planner ( supplies already on hand )
Add in a monthly focused mix up of 12” x whatever pages to scrap the things that I feel don’t get adequately covered in my planner ( many supplies already on hand I planned ahead )
Re-evaluate my 2 subscriptions one I have to finish first the other I can let go any time.
I’m currently concentrating on building my tool supply. Stamps & dies that are small and can easily enhance my planner or a pocket card.
I did spend quite a bit this year but it has mostly been on multi use tools, basics, adhesives & classes at my LSS. I do plan to cut back in the new year because I did spend so much this year I should be able to. A significant portion of what I spent was planning ahead for 2020. Many basic needs such as albums, page protectors, & tools.
Now I guess I need to get more selective since I’ve acquired the necessities.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 25, 2019 14:54:07 GMT
Have you added up your scrappy spendings lately? Come to any conclusions? Do you have financial goals in mind for next year? Do you have things - crafty or not - on your 2020 purchase list that you want to keep focused on? Favourite methods or apps to track your spendings? Plans to freeze or chill regarding scrapbook supplies next year? I have been thinking about this a ton lately. Especially as I drive by a TM every day on my way home from work. Before I get suggestions to change my route, let me say that I cannot, as I carpool and need to go that way lol. I haven't added up my spending, but I know it is more than I want to spend. For 2020, I need to stop buying just the cute stuff and focus on what I need. I have been scrapbooking since 1997, and I have to say that this is the first time that I have just bought bought bought without even looking at what I need or my pics or anything. If I think it is cute at TM, I just buy it. I went to the closest scrapstore by me the other day and dropped 40 dollars without blinking an eye, on what I don't even know right now. I regretted it. I would never have done that 10 years ago. If I am honest, shopping is more fun than scrapbooking right now. My one friend I scrap with is super busy, and I am tired of scrapping alone. I do have a scrapdate set up for the 14th of December, so I am going to freeze myself until then. I'd like some distress oxide for Christmas, but I definitely want to chill! |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 25, 2019 15:21:21 GMT
I don't keep track. It's my hobby and something I love to do (working with my hands, paper, pretties, ect 😄)
I don't spend a lot every month as I notice typically from Jan thru April I don't buy any new paper just letter stickers, glue/tape dispenser refills. It seems my favorite types of paper and what I need come out May/June thru December.
I would like to add to my die cut collection as I seem to be using my machines again and those can sometimes be pricey.
Dh and I budget monthly. He wood works so if either of us are looking to spend more than $100 we look at the budget and make sure its okay to do so.
I guess my answer is all over the place lol. But I won't be in a freeze or tight spending budget.
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Post by 950nancy on Nov 25, 2019 15:48:45 GMT
I don't keep track. It's my hobby and something I love to do (working with my hands, paper, pretties, ect 😄) I don't spend a lot every month as I notice typically from Jan thru April I don't buy any new paper just letter stickers, glue/tape dispenser refills. It seems my favorite types of paper and what I need come out May/June thru December. I would like to add to my die cut collection as I seem to be using my machines again and those can sometimes be pricey. Dh and I budget monthly. He wood works so if either of us are looking to spend more than $100 we look at the budget and make sure its okay to do so. I guess my answer is all over the place lol. But I won't be in a freeze or tight spending budget. Tuesday Morning has been my downfall for dies. They have so many cute dies for about $5. The giant purse die set with 21 dies was $4.99. I did have to stop myself on that one (21 die set). I would never use it other than for making a cute bag for a gift card. In the end, it would take me too much time to use. |
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Post by Citygirl on Nov 25, 2019 16:30:38 GMT
Normally I don't really pay attention because we do fine and we live well within our means, but I kept track the first quarter of 2019 and was disgusted when I totaled that up! I went nuts when I got into art journaling. My creating slowed way down in the summer along with my shopping but then I got into reading so I was just buying books instead of craft supplies. I've been trying to utilize the library to curb that spending/book collecting.
I don't have plans for a freeze, but a chill would be nice. We have 10 years left on our mortgage but our financial goal is to pay it off in the next 5.
Lots of good ideas in this thread. My stash is more than ample to keep me creating for a long time.
Ultimately what I "should" do is cancel my AE subs (this is where the bulk of my spending goes)until I actually start using what I have.
I should also go off the grid....I ditched Facebook this year, but now Instagram is just my source of FOMO for craft supplies.
Finally, I think setting a monthly spending budget for my hobbies would be helpful and perhaps curb impulse buying.
The only things that would be on my wishlist for 2020 are both big ticket items: a new laptop (if I ever want to use my Cameo again) and a large format printer. I'm not in a huge hurry for either purchase.
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Post by scrapcat on Nov 25, 2019 17:06:19 GMT
I don't keep any sort of written track, but I generally know in my head by looking at my card balance monthly. I am a saver by nature, so I generally don't have a strict budge because it's easy for me to know what I can and can't do.
I've been scrapping since 2003 so I have a huge stash, that is continually cleared and cleaned out. Probably between 5-10 years ago I was more caught up in machines and tools and upgrading and all that. I do very little of that now.
My biggest expense is Scrapbook Expo. That's my mini "me vacation" and I only pay for crops now and reduced my vendor spending a ton this year. The hotel is really the biggest expense.
The only subscription I have ever done is the scrapbook and cards sampler, which I probably will not renew. I like it, but just don't need more stuff to pile up.
Honestly when I read posts here about how much others buy, I kinda feel better about my habits! Not a dig, I realize that people are wired differently with spending/budgeting and just fortunate that I fall on the saver side. No judgment! I've been on the more spendy side of things and it can be fun!
But it's always good to think about and refresh. I have been getting a little more into the planner stuff lately, but am trying to not go overboard there. So I think 2020 will be more of the same, no drastic changes either way.
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Post by joblackford on Nov 25, 2019 17:49:20 GMT
if anything, it has pushed me to be more creative, particularly when it comes to using my stamp sets (major sunk cost!) and watercolours. It's been more fun creating since, believe it or not. This is where I'd like to focus some attention! I have stamps and dies I love, they're beautiful and I've only used them a little bit. I have plenty of different ways to color them and I'd like to improve my skills and try new techniques. It would be interesting to spend x amount of time focused on one stamp set or one style (maybe florals one month, critters another month) and go deeper with what's possible only using supplies I already have. I would have a hard time committing to not buying anything new (not really necessary to not get anything) and I don't know how my creative flow would be if I set rules for myself around this idea, but I think it would actually be really beneficial, after getting past the initial resistance! It's that idea of a "depth" year coming back again... I guess I'm not done with that word yet. |
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Post by sleepingbooty on Nov 25, 2019 18:17:00 GMT
if anything, it has pushed me to be more creative, particularly when it comes to using my stamp sets (major sunk cost!) and watercolours. It's been more fun creating since, believe it or not. This is where I'd like to focus some attention! I have stamps and dies I love, they're beautiful and I've only used them a little bit. I have plenty of different ways to color them and I'd like to improve my skills and try new techniques. It would be interesting to spend x amount of time focused on one stamp set or one style (maybe florals one month, critters another month) and go deeper with what's possible only using supplies I already have. [...] But I think it would actually be really beneficial, after getting past the initial resistance! It's that idea of a "depth" year coming back again... I guess I'm not done with that word yet. Have you thought about "in depth" short exercises? I am enjoying those floral sets I bought but barely used this way: I pick one and play with it for a week making variations on it. I'll stamp out the image multiple times and enjoy the different colour schemes to fit different themes as well as watercolour techniques (more abstract way of colouring vs traditional): icy blue + light mint + glitter finishes for a winter version, classic feminine pinks for birthdays and Mother's Day, monotone grey for sympathy cards, warm yellows and oranges for an autumnal look, etc. A less time-consuming version of this is making a set of art-ified blank notecards to gift (or sell, in your case): apply a good quality masking tape to cardstock so that you have an outer border separated from the centre of the card that is meant to stay blank, stamp with a floral set over that exposed border, colour in the floral elements/icons and lift the tape (or lift straight after stamping if not using watercolours), voilà! Repeat in different colour schemes so that the recipient can use this notecard set for different occasions. If you want to go all fancy, stamp their initials with an alpha set you have and some embossing powder. Repeat initials on the back of the blank envelopes you're offering with the set. One of my fave paper gifts to make and give AND an excellent not-too-time-consuming "sort of" deep dive to have some fun with just the one stamp set. |
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Post by cumber1137 on Nov 25, 2019 18:22:41 GMT
Have you added up your scrappy spendings lately? Come to any conclusions?
-It's been really high this year with me buying a Silhouette Cameo and upgrading some of my tools.
Do you have financial goals in mind for next year?
- Save $5000
Do you have things - crafty or not - on your 2020 purchase list that you want to keep focused on?
-
Favourite methods or apps to track your spendings?
I use YNAB
Plans to freeze or chill regarding scrapbook supplies next year?
-Yes, keeping kelly purkey sub and that's it till December Daily! Can replenish basics like tape and glue and photo paper.
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Post by freeatlast on Nov 25, 2019 19:08:18 GMT
At the beginning of the year I did a really good job of keeping crafty spending under control. I ran every purchase through a "how will I use it?, do I have something similar that would work?" filter. It helped tremendously. And then, somewhere around mid-year, all hell broke loose and my spending went crazy. And that has continued to today.
Next year I'd like to get back to that careful consideration technique. To say I won't buy anything is just setting me up for failure because I know I will. I'd just like to have a very concrete plan in mind for that bright, shiny, new stamp or die when I buy it.
January is a great time to re-implement this. The stamps and dies released during the first quarter are not as tempting to me as those introduced later in the year. Now, watch me eat those words!!!
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Post by joblackford on Nov 25, 2019 19:46:25 GMT
This is where I'd like to focus some attention! I have stamps and dies I love, they're beautiful and I've only used them a little bit. I have plenty of different ways to color them and I'd like to improve my skills and try new techniques. It would be interesting to spend x amount of time focused on one stamp set or one style (maybe florals one month, critters another month) and go deeper with what's possible only using supplies I already have. [...] But I think it would actually be really beneficial, after getting past the initial resistance! It's that idea of a "depth" year coming back again... I guess I'm not done with that word yet. Have you thought about "in depth" short exercises? I am enjoying those floral sets I bought but barely used this way: I pick one and play with it for a week making variations on it. I'll stamp out the image multiple times and enjoy the different colour schemes to fit different themes as well as watercolour techniques (more abstract way of colouring vs traditional): icy blue + light mint + glitter finishes for a winter version, classic feminine pinks for birthdays and Mother's Day, monotone grey for sympathy cards, warm yellows and oranges for an autumnal look, etc. A less time-consuming version of this is making a set of art-ified blank notecards to gift (or sell, in your case): apply a good quality masking tape to cardstock so that you have an outer border separated from the centre of the card that is meant to stay blank, stamp with a floral set over that exposed border, colour in the floral elements/icons and lift the tape (or lift straight after stamping if not using watercolours), voilà! Repeat in different colour schemes so that the recipient can use this notecard set for different occasions. If you want to go all fancy, stamp their initials with an alpha set you have and some embossing powder. Repeat initials on the back of the blank envelopes you're offering with the set. One of my fave paper gifts to make and give AND an excellent not-too-time-consuming "sort of" deep dive to have some fun with just the one stamp set. Ooh, those are some great ideas! Thanks I'm going to make a note of these. |
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Post by sleepingbooty on Nov 25, 2019 20:40:33 GMT
At the beginning of the year I did a really good job of keeping crafty spending under control. I ran every purchase through a "how will I use it?, do I have something similar that would work?" filter. It helped tremendously. And then, somewhere around mid-year, all hell broke loose and my spending went crazy. And that has continued to today.Next year I'd like to get back to that careful consideration technique. To say I won't buy anything is just setting me up for failure because I know I will. I'd just like to have a very concrete plan in mind for that bright, shiny, new stamp or die when I buy it. I agree that the zero budget/complete freeze can set you up for failure. It'll work great for some. It'll work really well for a while for others and then put them on the bad yo-yo fast track of overspending as soon as they come out of their freeze. For those (including myself), it's better to set a small monthly/seasonal budget instead of having no scrappy allowance at all. Glad that you know there's a technique out there to help you with your purchases. It's just a matter of continuing to apply it in 2020. Ooh, those are some great ideas! Thanks I'm going to make a note of these. right now:   Do you have financial goals in mind for next year? - Save $5000 Great goal, go you!  |
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Post by lasteve1 on Nov 25, 2019 21:23:23 GMT
I have been tracking my crafting spending for all of this year and I've spent quite a bit... I am breaking down my tracking between paper crafts and fabric crafts and the majority of my spending is with paper (as expected). Although I've spent a lot, it is comfortably within my disposable income budget so I'm not too worried... I was tracking more to get an idea of how much I was really spending and to be a little more conscious. While I am not setting a hard budget for next year, I am going to cut back on the number of subs I have and try to reduce my spending a bit.
My two major reasons for that are:
(1) My stash is growing faster than I can use it, so the rate of purchasing is not sustainable. I would like to get to a place where I am using as much as I am buying (or even using more than I am buying some months to try to create a dent in my stash).
(2) I would like to devote a larger portion of my budget to home decor items now that we are moving into our new house in early 2020 and plan on using some of my crafty time/disposable income on these types of projects.
In addition to tracking spending, I have been tracking products. Primarily this year I focused on project life cards... the number that came into my stash each month (purchased) and the number that went out (used, trashed or donated) with the goal to be more out than in. Next year I think I will also try to track stamps in and maybe some other embellishments. I've found that tracking products is more motivating to me to buy less than actually tracking spending, so I just wanted to put it out there in case others were interested.
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Post by Linda on Nov 25, 2019 22:08:08 GMT
Have you added up your scrappy spendings lately? Come to any conclusions?
I don't keep track - the only money I have is the $200/week grocery/fun budget - DH is the breadwinner and billpayer but he transfers that much weekly for groceries and whatever I want to spend it on. I don't have a credit card so my crafty spending is kept pretty well in check since it has to balance out with clothes shopping, gifts, chocolate etc...
Do you have financial goals in mind for next year?
I want to try and divert $10-20/wk into savings
Do you have things - crafty or not - on your 2020 purchase list that you want to keep focused on?
just the basics - replacing as used up (adhesive/albums/page protectors/cardstock)
Favourite methods or apps to track your spendings?
not really
Plans to freeze or chill regarding scrapbook supplies next year?
stay chilled, perhaps a bit closer to frozen
I'll need to focus on some organisation projects this coming year and probably dial back on my scrapbooking - time only stretches so far. So I need to shop less if I'm using less
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Post by dasmith2 on Nov 26, 2019 2:24:01 GMT
At the beginning of the year I did a really good job of keeping crafty spending under control. I ran every purchase through a "how will I use it?, do I have something similar that would work?" filter. It helped tremendously. And then, somewhere around mid-year, all hell broke loose and my spending went crazy. And that has continued to today. Next year I'd like to get back to that careful consideration technique. To say I won't buy anything is just setting me up for failure because I know I will. I'd just like to have a very concrete plan in mind for that bright, shiny, new stamp or die when I buy it. January is a great time to re-implement this. The stamps and dies released during the first quarter are not as tempting to me as those introduced later in the year. Now, watch me eat those words!!! This is what I try to do too. Also, instead of preordering a collection I fall immediately in love with 🙄 I make a list of what I want. I give it a couple weeks and I find that either I found something I’d like instead, I don’t really love it, or I love and still want it. I buy a lot less things “just because they’re pretty “. I’m going to unsubscribe from FJ, but I’m adding HipKit, so no savings there. I’m maxed out in my small space, and I’m overwhelmed. At some point I’d like to cut my stash by half by using and purging. I have so many layouts in my head but I don’t have the stamina to sit long and scrap. And I’m a super slow scrapper too. |
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My stash can go a long way. I have a lot to scrap because I'm slow. I think I should reward myself to an Echo Park Warehouse sale next fall if I use things up. 
I'm glad you've got this hobby in your life that helps you carve out some me-time and feels like cathartic! That's so important. 
