amom23
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,329
Jun 27, 2014 12:39:18 GMT
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Post by amom23 on Dec 29, 2019 15:12:44 GMT
Are you all ready for a no spend - less spend 2020? I already started before the holidays. Not going to lie and say I haven't been tempted, but it has helped to unsubscribe from all the store emails. It also helps that I'm mentally feeling really good about taking control of my spending and finances. I'm going to ride this wave as long as I can into the new year!
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Post by Linda on Dec 29, 2019 15:32:13 GMT
yes - I unsubscribed from my kit, went to HL without buying anything, and only bought an album (that I actually needed) at M.
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Post by sleepingbooty on Dec 29, 2019 17:47:37 GMT
Since I started this thread, I might as well share with my 2020 financial goals with you all in case anyone needs inspiration.
1. I want to keep saving and investing 20% monthly. That doesn't change. I might push for 21-22 here and there if possible.
2. I plan on padding my emergency fund. The original goal was to add at least 1000€ to it. I enjoy regular saving challenges to work on this type of goal. I didn't really enjoy the classic 52-week challenge. It felt too gimmicky and rigid for me. I need larger, round numbers with a similar outcome. After playing around with numbers for a few minutes, I figured out that a system comprised of chunks of 12 would work best for me as there are 12 months in the year. I also enjoy the safety net of having worked in a few weeks off just in case. Final plan: 12 weeks of saving 10€ | 12 weeks of saving 20€ | 12 weeks of saving 30€ | 12 weeks of saving 50€ | 4 weeks off. No specific order, just pick and go as it suits me. To keep it easy on myself, I can just do 1 week of each/month + an extra one. I'll try to get all the 12 weeks of 50€ knocked out of the way before the end of September so I don't have to worry about this challenge come Christmas shopping in autumn. End result: 1320€ extra in my emergency fund.
3. Buy that Fujifilm camera I've been wanting. That's my number 1 scrappy goal. I've thus decided not to purchase anything else for scrapbooking, both physical and digital goodies, until then. Sorry to see Kelly Purkey's shop closing and I'll miss her alpha stickers but I'm going to keep my focus on what I *really, really* want.
Has anyone else been spending some time mapping out their financial goals for 2020?
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Post by Linda on Dec 29, 2019 18:10:45 GMT
Has anyone else been spending some time mapping out their financial goals for 2020 oddly enough I've never really been in a position to need to map out financial goals - as a non-working spouse, I have no income of my own and DH and I have separate finances (for a variety of complicated reasons but it's what works best for us). He transfers $200 to me weekly for groceries and anything leftover is mine to spend as I want but the majority does usually go to groceries/household stuff. But I'm inheriting a bit of money - not very much but more than I've had to think about before. It's coming to me a little at a time...and I'm having to figure what to do with it.So I opened my very own investment account with my half of the money from mum's account with that broker ($1500ish) and we sold some of her jewellery so I'll add that to it. Apparently there are a couple of other small investment accounts so my half from those will go there also. None of it will add up to very much but given that I had NO retirement savings (and will only barely qualify for SS when the time comes - they predict a whopping $414/month), every bit I can set aside is a little more security for the future. I do want to build up a emergency fund - not so much for day to day emergencies but going through the probate process with mum's estate, I worry about what'll happen if DH passes - I won't have immediate access to his accounts (since I'm not on them - they'll need to go through probate). So some of what I get from mum will go there. So my biggest financial goal for 2020 is to make sensible choices with the money I'm inheriting and get mum's house sold (hoping my half will pay off this house and put us in a position to buy a real house (we have a mobile home) in a year or so - DH and I talked about that and the current mortgage payment will be saved to make a down payment)
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Post by sleepingbooty on Dec 29, 2019 18:23:19 GMT
Linda Kudos to you for thinking in advance about all these mind-burdening matters like what to do with the money you'll inherit and how to plan for you long-term future. You simply can't live off 400-ish dollars a month! That's definitely below the poverty line (and then some). It's important for you to do all this work now. Good on you for tackling this. Emergency funds are for major emergencies, normally. I'm trying to build it up to where my SO and I can live off it for 6 months eventually, all costs included. My SO on his side is building his own emergency fund with the same goal in mind. My childhood experience makes it impossible for me to merge all accounts with him. I need the safety and security of knowing I have my own. Obviously, I can only recommend you work on your own. Per most financial coaches and specialists, this should be your number 1 goal if you don't have one. Do you know which way you're going for investing? Have you listened to the Stupidest Thing You Can Do With Your Money episode from Freakonomics (I know it can be difficult for you to listen to podcasts on your computer)?
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Post by Linda on Dec 29, 2019 18:48:52 GMT
Thanks sleepingbooty - I've been taking advise from DS28 who is very financially astute and doing a great job of saving for his future. He recommended a specific mutual fund (I think that's what it is) based on my age and risk level - he showed me three and talked to me about the differences and why he reccommended those in particular and what the differences were (mainly in risk). He already has plans for what to do with me if DH dies before me, lol - so it's to his advantage if I can afford to live on my own in that event. As for emergency funds - DH has one but I don't - it got wiped out with recent events (two unplanned trips plus funeral/travel expenses and DH 'borrowed' some of it) - and yes, I'm planning to rebuild it. Due to my lack of income - and the fact that DH tends to 'borrow' money that isn't allocated - it needs to be somewhat less accessible for the most part than is typically suggested. I'm planning to open an account at a less convenient credit union for it and not have a debit card/cheques (so I have to go TO the credit union to withdraw).
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christinec68
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,119
Location: New York, NY
Jun 26, 2014 18:02:19 GMT
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Post by christinec68 on Dec 30, 2019 17:05:55 GMT
Just related to scrapbooking, I am on a pretty solid freeze for 2020. The only things I am giving myself permission to purchase are white cardstock, photo printing supplies or services and adhesive (although it's probably unlikely since I have several ATG refills and some score tape to use when that runs out). I want to get my consumables down to a level that would justify subscribing to a kit club or something. It will take a while to get there so I have time to figure it out.
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Post by hop2 on Dec 30, 2019 18:59:33 GMT
Thanks sleepingbooty - I've been taking advise from DS28 who is very financially astute and doing a great job of saving for his future. He recommended a specific mutual fund (I think that's what it is) based on my age and risk level - he showed me three and talked to me about the differences and why he reccommended those in particular and what the differences were (mainly in risk). He already has plans for what to do with me if DH dies before me, lol - so it's to his advantage if I can afford to live on my own in that event. As for emergency funds - DH has one but I don't - it got wiped out with recent events (two unplanned trips plus funeral/travel expenses and DH 'borrowed' some of it) - and yes, I'm planning to rebuild it. Due to my lack of income - and the fact that DH tends to 'borrow' money that isn't allocated - it needs to be somewhat less accessible for the most part than is typically suggested. I'm planning to open an account at a less convenient credit union for it and not have a debit card/cheques (so I have to go TO the credit union to withdraw). Honestly, stop letting your DH ‘borrow’ from your emergency fund. Fun money - fine. But an emergency fund is just that. Especially since he has one but you don’t. That’s just a scary place to be in. What would you do if it were empty and something happened? Either have one combined ‘emergency fund’ or he can ‘borrow’ From his emergency fund. I get that you want to be nice and your married & you deal with things together and everything but you have to be concerned about YOU being left in a bind. ( take that advice from someone who didn’t prepare, left all financial things in my spouses hands, and was very very lucky how things worked out. Ex made a huge mistake that saved me from my own stupidity. Now no one touches my emergency fund. It’s sort of sacred. )
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Post by LisaDV on Jan 1, 2020 17:20:22 GMT
Have you added up your scrappy spendings lately? Come to any conclusions? No, I don't plan to either. I know I spend too much as I already have so much physical and digital product - $$ wise I think I've been fairly good probably around 20-30/mo for scrapbook items. Do you have financial goals in mind for next year? Yes. Do you have things - crafty or not - on your 2020 purchase list that you want to keep focused on? Yes, I want new furniture for my living room and nightstands and dressers for the master bedroom. I also plan start painting rooms starting the living room. I'm also hoping to make my own deck furniture and pool lounge chairs which will require at least one wood working tool that I don't have.
Scrapbooking - I want the Phive light mentioned by caangel on another thread and maybe a cheap stand to sit desk for my computer. I'm hoping to start working from home in 2020. I also want to find those wood looking tops that many youtubers use to film on. Favourite methods or apps to track your spendings? No, but I should look into these. Plans to freeze or chill regarding scrapbook supplies next year? Yes! I'll allow any Rakuten rebate which goes to paypal to be used for fun scrappy purchases. I also have a $20 gift certificate to one site to use as well. I should allow 4 "I need retail therapy" moments for the year as well. If I'm chill about it, I don't go overboard. Otherwise, just essentials. I do have a yearly membership to pixelscrapper that isn't due until the end of 2020. I may keep. I may not either. I plan to do some more traditional paper playing as well. DH has his 50th birthday and we're having a party, so I want to make banners and decorations.
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MDscrapaholic
Drama Llama
Refupea #146
Posts: 6,342
Location: Down by the bay....
Jun 25, 2014 20:49:07 GMT
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Post by MDscrapaholic on Jan 1, 2020 17:44:08 GMT
Have you added up your scrappy spendings lately? Come to any conclusions? Not sure I want to add this up, but I did! I spent $700 on scrapbooks supplies last year! A lot of that was from Webster's Pages for planner stuff (some for me and some for daughters) and also I sunk some serious money into the Elizabeth Crafts planner dies. I'm hoping I use them!!
Do you have financial goals in mind for next year? No. I do want to save for the next Disney trip but we haven't decided when that's going to be. One thing I would really like to get for my scraproom is a magnetic white board large enough to hold all my steel dies. The size (48" x 36" or 60" x 36") I want is over $100.
Do you have things - crafty or not - on your 2020 purchase list that you want to keep focused on? No.
Favourite methods or apps to track your spendings? I use Quicken to track all my spending and it works for me. No app on my phone.
Plans to freeze or chill regarding scrapbook supplies next year? I should jump in the freezer, I really need to USE UP MY STASH! I'm going to make a good effort this year. I will continue to get my Club Echo Park kit bi-monthly, I did stop the Hero Arts kit last year and I was not using them as much as I thought I would. I have plenty of cardstock, tape, I just need TIME to sit down and scrap.
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Post by catseatcheese on Jan 1, 2020 22:00:04 GMT
In 2019 I did not make too many scrappy purchases. I did get some adhesive and a few others bits and pieces but all purchases were in the first 4-5 months of the year. Since then I haven't purchased anything scrappy related.
We have a baby on the way and I a couple of months ago I was looking for "baby" lines to make an 8x8 (or 9x9...I have both sizes ready and not totally sure yet) album. I was searching and had a couple of lines in my online shopping basket when I decided to go "searching" in my own stash. I found that I have the majority of a totally unused "Wonder" collection from Crate Paper. If you don't remember this line it was childhood themed and has a craft type base (or non white) with a lot of reds, yellows, browns, and such. I realized that I could use what I had from that to make the album.
We made several trips this year and I need to use the stash that I have to do 12x12 layouts (I kept up with PL doing one 12x12 layout per week so things are documented...I just like to take some of the best photos and do 12x12 layouts too).
My goal this year is to use what I have and only purchase things like adhesive or something that is "really" needed (in my case that would be if I ran out of white or craft card stock, adhesive, photo paper for my Selphy, if I need a new album bc those I have in my stash are full, etc). A few years ago I did a "no spend" year. It really helped me to see what I had in my stash and I ended up using a lot of it. That year also allowed me to see what I actually like to use and I ended up giving a lot away to a co-worker who has a daughter that is into scrapping and crafts.
Of course this could all be thrown out the window if someone comes out with an adorable little boy collection. I do not have any children (other than my two 3 legged variety) so have never been one to purchase "child" focused lines. I happened to have the Wonder collection from Crate Paper because it came as part of a kit club from like 2015.
Good luck to everyone this year!
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Post by catseatcheese on Jan 1, 2020 22:08:07 GMT
Since I started this thread, I might as well share with my 2020 financial goals with you all in case anyone needs inspiration. 1. I want to keep saving and investing 20% monthly. That doesn't change. I might push for 21-22 here and there if possible. 2. I plan on padding my emergency fund. The original goal was to add at least 1000€ to it. I enjoy regular saving challenges to work on this type of goal. I didn't really enjoy the classic 52-week challenge. It felt too gimmicky and rigid for me. I need larger, round numbers with a similar outcome. After playing around with numbers for a few minutes, I figured out that a system comprised of chunks of 12 would work best for me as there are 12 months in the year. I also enjoy the safety net of having worked in a few weeks off just in case. Final plan: 12 weeks of saving 10€ | 12 weeks of saving 20€ | 12 weeks of saving 30€ | 12 weeks of saving 50€ | 4 weeks off. No specific order, just pick and go as it suits me. To keep it easy on myself, I can just do 1 week of each/month + an extra one. I'll try to get all the 12 weeks of 50€ knocked out of the way before the end of September so I don't have to worry about this challenge come Christmas shopping in autumn. End result: 1320€ extra in my emergency fund. 3. Buy that Fujifilm camera I've been wanting. That's my number 1 scrappy goal. I've thus decided not to purchase anything else for scrapbooking, both physical and digital goodies, until then. Sorry to see Kelly Purkey's shop closing and I'll miss her alpha stickers but I'm going to keep my focus on what I *really, really* want. Has anyone else been spending some time mapping out their financial goals for 2020? Great goals sleepingbooty ! I increased my retirement savings % that is directly pulled from my paycheck by about 2-3% a few weeks ago. That will go into effect in 2020. I don't remember my savings % to tell you the truth. We have a 401k plan at work so I have that at the maximum allowed by law each year. In addition to that I have a private IRA where I also put the maximum allowed by law each year. When I graduated from university I was more than 30.000 USD in student loan debt. Happy to say that in 2019 I made the final payment on student loans. I had been paying the loan plus additional each month or so and now I will have some extra money each month and my plan is to move that into my savings account to pad our emergency fund as well. Which Fujifilm camera have you been eyeing? I have the XT2 and love it. Several years ago I had the realization that my cameras (I used point and shoot cameras) were not getting the photo that I wanted. I started asked friends that were photographers why. It was then that they told me I was ready for a new camera. I have a few lenses for the XT2 and just love the way they are easy to take along on trips.
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Post by ecvnj58 on Jan 2, 2020 0:04:27 GMT
I spent $5.50 in adhesive for the month of December. That was it. I’m so proud of what I didn’t buy. I’m really motivated to make it through January as well with low spend. I’m trying to keep it to zero and maybe if I make it treating myself to the class my little journal just came out with. I also didn’t stop at tuesday morning at all last month and I only went to michaels the one time and ordered my adhesive online so I wouldn’t be tempted to grab anything else.
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craftymom101
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,619
Jul 31, 2014 5:23:25 GMT
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Post by craftymom101 on Jan 2, 2020 1:27:00 GMT
This year I need to make fewer trips to TM. I have so many new supplies that I haven’t opened! Plus a Black Friday box from Elle’s studio that arrived last week, along with new stamps and spray ink from Wplus9, and past kits from Hip Kit’s Black Friday sale and Citrus Twist’s Black Friday sale! Must. Stop. Shopping. I also put the Snowflake collection and Heidi Swapp’s new (non-Christmas) collection on my Christmas list. I’m drowning in new supplies, but I love so many things! Lol I do, too! I’m taking so many new products home with me after the holidays! I need to get to scrapbooking when I get home and use some of my new things.
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Post by sleepingbooty on Jan 2, 2020 13:44:59 GMT
I do want to save for the next Disney trip but we haven't decided when that's going to be. One thing I would really like to get for my scraproom is a magnetic white board large enough to hold all my steel dies. The size (48" x 36" or 60" x 36") I want is over $100. Great goals, MDscrapaholic ! Nothing beats a Disney trip and I think the XL magnetic board is a great way to keep your dies easily accessible and in sight so you're certain you'll use them. I'll allow any Rakuten rebate which goes to paypal to be used for fun scrappy purchases. Ooooh, smart move! That's a very smart way to get some scrappy funding without reaching for your own money. I want to get my consumables down to a level that would justify subscribing to a kit club or something. It will take a while to get there so I have time to figure it out. Love this idea, christinec68. It sounds like you've found the perfect plan to use your stuff until you can give yourself permission to ease back into a kit club again. I've been taking advise from DS28 who is very financially astute and doing a great job of saving for his future. He recommended a specific mutual fund (I think that's what it is) based on my age and risk level - he showed me three and talked to me about the differences and why he reccommended those in particular and what the differences were (mainly in risk). You've got this all covered, Linda ! What a relief it must be to have such a financially savvy and trustworthy person to rely on for such big investments. I'm really glad for you. I hope you can find the right way to build up your emergency fund again and keep it away from any dipping-in-the-honeypot fingers... It's such a relief when you know you have a financial back-up plan. It takes away stress you sometimes didn't even realise was there (or didn't know the extent of). My goal this year is to use what I have and only purchase things like adhesive or something that is "really" needed (in my case that would be if I ran out of white or craft card stock, adhesive, photo paper for my Selphy, if I need a new album bc those I have in my stash are full, etc). A few years ago I did a "no spend" year. It really helped me to see what I had in my stash and I ended up using a lot of it. That year also allowed me to see what I actually like to use and I ended up giving a lot away to a co-worker who has a daughter that is into scrapping and crafts. Love that your no spend year has made such a mark on you and changed your purchasing and "hoarding" habits. I love the story of your giving away things to your co-worker's daughter. There's a real growth factor to facing your spending and stash once in a while and it sounds like you've embraced it fully! Also, Crate Paper's Wonder line is gorgeous. That's a lucky find! There was the most adorable retro-looking deer in it, I believe. And beautiful houses, too... By the way, kudos on paying off your student loan. Must've felt so. great. Which Fujifilm camera have you been eyeing? I have the XT2 and love it. Several years ago I had the realization that my cameras (I used point and shoot cameras) were not getting the photo that I wanted. I started asked friends that were photographers why. It was then that they told me I was ready for a new camera. I have a few lenses for the XT2 and just love the way they are easy to take along on trips. Ooooh, we're Fujifilm twinsies! I'm getting your camera's smaller brother, the X-T20, that came out in 2017. Placed the order this morning so it qualifies for Fujifilm's autumn-winter reimbursement offer (yes, please). There's nothing like Fujifilm's rendition of colours and lens offer. I'm not surprised you've already gotten a few for your X-T2! Even their kit lenses are great quality (that XC 15-45mm is very good). You've picked a lovely camera to document your life with. I spent $5.50 in adhesive for the month of December. That was it. I’m so proud of what I didn’t buy. I’m really motivated to make it through January as well with low spend. I’m trying to keep it to zero and maybe if I make it treating myself to the class my little journal just came out with. I also didn’t stop at tuesday morning at all last month and I only went to michaels the one time and ordered my adhesive online so I wouldn’t be tempted to grab anything else. Woohoo, ecvnj58 ! Now that is some fierce stoicisim. Super impressed. You're absolutely right that exposing yourself to stuff is what prompts the purchases so avoiding TM and ordering online for pick-up are great tools to help yourself in this situation.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Apr 30, 2024 4:07:47 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jan 2, 2020 14:30:33 GMT
I am trying to decide if I want to log into my bank acct and do a search for TM. Since I bought almost all my scrappy items from there for 2019, if I do that and total it up, that will give me a very good ballpark of what I spent. Gulp. For me, I am on a total freeze until May. That is when I am doing a road trip to the Gina K. store and I know I will want to spend $$.
Update: I feel kind of sick. I just went into my bank account and did a Tuesday Morning search and set the thing for 12 months.
I spent 834.33 in Tuesday Morning for 2019. OMG. If you were to ask me what I *thought* I spent, I would say around 300 bucks.
So yeah. No more TM for me.
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Post by cristelina on Jan 2, 2020 16:10:52 GMT
If I am honest, shopping is more fun than scrapbooking YES and YES!
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Post by cristelina on Jan 2, 2020 16:24:35 GMT
This is a great thread for me this year. I just retired and have been fortunate enough until now to ignore my scrappy spending. However, I have been banned from buying any scrappy supplies (except the basics) until my business is up and running. I really need to get it done by August at the latest. I won't be able to resist all the cute new Christmas things.
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Post by cumber1137 on Jan 2, 2020 18:48:40 GMT
Good thing that Paislee Press stamp set sold out right away on Studio Calico because I would have broke my no spend 1 day in.
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Post by hop2 on Jan 2, 2020 19:07:39 GMT
Good thing that Paislee Press stamp set sold out right away on Studio Calico because I would have broke my no spend 1 day in. I considered a stamp ( maybe 2 ) yesterday but the new prices made me opt out. Just not worth it to me right now.
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Post by cumber1137 on Jan 2, 2020 19:50:47 GMT
I'm currently in the process of scanning all the unused cards and elements of the Kelly Purkey swag bags that I bought. Since she's closing up shop and those were never made digital, might as well scan them so I can print out more in the future now that I'm frozen.
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Post by ss on Jan 3, 2020 12:53:36 GMT
Multiple reasons why I need to freeze. Overwhelming stash and retirement is on the horizon! So, I need to beef up our emergency fund. I had always said, I wanted to have a good size stash for retirement. Well, that is accomplished. Hope I can contribute to this thread throughout the year!
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Post by infochick on Jan 3, 2020 18:34:02 GMT
I am definitely going to be more "chilling" than "freezing." Overall, I need to become more mindful of how I purchase supplies. Over the last year, I have become really inspired by Janet on RTS and how she organizes and approaches her supplies. I have been a long-time collection purchaser (two sheets of each paper) which has led to a massive paper stash, while being somewhat under-stocked in embellishments (comparatively).
I will continue to reorganize my stash, breaking up older and unloved collections, and sorting the papers into categories that can be combined in new ways.
This year I am also going to stop blindly buying collections. Instead, I am going to really look at each sheet of paper individually, and only purchase the "must have" pieces. Then I will combine them with my existing stash to help use up some of the old, while keeping it interesting with new items.
I will continue to purchase embellishments and stickers. I find it VERY difficult to scrapbook without them. I will just be very mindful before buying a lot of specific paper to go with them. I think having fresh embellishments as my starting points will help me to be more creative in using up some of my existing paper.
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Post by hop2 on Jan 3, 2020 20:16:54 GMT
Ack. This is why I set myself a budget.
But boy those Elles studio label stamps & dies are really tempting.
But at $33 before tax & shipping they are much less tempting.
But I AM tempted. It would be nice to have a complete set. Plus those dies look like the inner rim is the cutting edge where as the ones I already have, have a lip that makes them hard to align to cut.
But I hate detaching dies and filing burrs. Especially at $17.99 for the set. It’s against my principles to pay that much and still not get ready to use tools.
I don’t need these. I don’t need these. I don’t need these.
If I keep saying that I’ll believe it right?
See, this is where having an actual real budget helps more than an arbitrary self decided budget. It’s not like id go into debt to buy scrap supplies.
Now you are all privy to the inner workings of my mind when I want something.
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Post by LavenderLayoutLady on Jan 3, 2020 22:53:19 GMT
Ack. This is why I set myself a budget. But boy those Elles studio label stamps & dies are really tempting. But at $33 before tax & shipping they are much less tempting. But I AM tempted. It would be nice to have a complete set. Plus those dies look like the inner rim is the cutting edge where as the ones I already have, have a lip that makes them hard to align to cut. But I hate detaching dies and filing burrs. Especially at $17.99 for the set. It’s against my principles to pay that much and still not get ready to use tools. I don’t need these. I don’t need these. I don’t need these. If I keep saying that I’ll believe it right? See, this is where having an actual real budget helps more than an arbitrary self decided budget. It’s not like id go into debt to buy scrap supplies. Now you are all privy to the inner workings of my mind when I want something. Having to clip them apart & file them is a deal breaker for me. I'm just far too lazy to do so much work to use them.
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Post by hop2 on Jan 3, 2020 23:55:40 GMT
Ack. This is why I set myself a budget. But boy those Elles studio label stamps & dies are really tempting. But at $33 before tax & shipping they are much less tempting. But I AM tempted. It would be nice to have a complete set. Plus those dies look like the inner rim is the cutting edge where as the ones I already have, have a lip that makes them hard to align to cut. But I hate detaching dies and filing burrs. Especially at $17.99 for the set. It’s against my principles to pay that much and still not get ready to use tools. I don’t need these. I don’t need these. I don’t need these. If I keep saying that I’ll believe it right? See, this is where having an actual real budget helps more than an arbitrary self decided budget. It’s not like id go into debt to buy scrap supplies. Now you are all privy to the inner workings of my mind when I want something. Having to clip them apart & file them is a deal breaker for me. I'm just far too lazy to do so much work to use them. Yes, clipping expensive dies apart really ticks me off - for that price I really expect my tools to be ready to use
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burnbright
Full Member
Posts: 351
Mar 22, 2019 21:27:33 GMT
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Post by burnbright on Jan 5, 2020 23:01:14 GMT
Have you added up your scrappy spendings lately? Come to any conclusions? I added up my spending from The Lillypad, Kelly Stamps, Kellie Purkey, In a Creative Bubble, PushPrint and Persnickety Prints (test prints and some pictures to frame). I spent $280. It is probably more than that because I think I messed up the converstion to Canadian dollars. My budget for 25 USD or 30 CAD a month so I am under that. I was shocked to see that I spent $197 at the Lillypad alone. They have sales all the time. It became a Tuesday night ritual to browse the 50% sales. I guess I didn't think how $25 a month adds up over a year. The problem is that I made so few pages. I didn't complete any of the books I am working on. Honeymoon Cruise, New Hampshire trip, monthly project life, 52 favourites, December Highlights are all incomplete.
Do you have financial goals in mind for next year? My husband and I are budgetting to bring our food purchases down. It is such a big expense for us. Ordering in is easy when you are tired or sad. This will also help reduce waste. Less packaging and garbage is a goal too.
Do you have things - crafty or not - on your 2020 purchase list that you want to keep focused on? I want to get my driver's licence this year so that means a training course. If I succeed I will have to budget for a car. Finishing photobooks and getting them printed.
Favourite methods or apps to track your spendings? We put most purchases on our cashback credit card so it is easy to track through that. We transfer to a spreadsheet.
Plans to freeze or chill regarding scrapbook supplies next year? Since I do digital pages I should just buy as I need things. It is hard when there are massive sales or the people I follow on instagram are promoting new things. I am toying with a freeze until I finish all the books in progress. I want to replace the time I spend browsing online stores and instagram with actually making pages.
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