Unpacking the "Buy now or miss out" feeling of products

For me, it's not a feeling a matter of >> "fear of missing out".
It's knowing that many products in the scrapbooking industry(and any industry, store, etc....), are produced and only available in that shorter time frame. 
Some items are considered seasonal (available for a short time period only) and some items are considered "staple items" and are always available.

With any item (scrapbook supplies, home decor, clothing, etc...), I have learned if I like it, love it, think it's cute, etc... purchase it then because when it's gone then it's gone (unless it's available at a later date on ebay, etsy, yard sale, etc..). That's the way seasonal and new product releases work. 

When I purchase new items of any given merchandise (scrapbook, clothing, home decor, etc...) it's because I love it, think it's cute, know I will use it, etc..
It's not because I think everyone else is buying it, so I should buy it too. I am not a follower in that regard.
In fact, there are many scrapbook items that I don't purchase, because I don't like the style-colors-theme-type of product-etc... I am happy to pass it by, because I know I won't use it.

There is no right or wrong way....everyone do what is best for them. 

No FOMO on paper for me.

I did however, buy a backup Cuttlebug when I heard it was being discontinued. I also just bought a 2nd hot plate for my Gemini Foil Press since it’s been discontinued. I absolutely hate the idea of a pricey piece of paper crafting equipment becoming obsolete.

The foil press was discontinued??

This has been a really interesting thread to read. I definitely struggle with fomo in some areas, and others I couldn't care less. I really like some of the 49 and Market recent releases. I expect the latest collection is definitely going to sell out, and it seems like everyone is talking about it/buying it/wanting it. So while I really love parts of it, I need to work out which parts of the collection are just straight up fomo, and then if I actually want any of it, I'm going to need to buy it soon or I will likely miss out. I think the additional challenge for me is of the stores I typically buy from, only one of them carries this brand. So I'm trying to balance not shopping for the sake of shopping against shipping costs against availability of product.

I tend to give myself permission to buy products from the brands I love (and use) most, so I'll continue to pre-order Cocoa Vanilla's lines as long as I'm excited by them, but will continue to play the add to cart/delete from cart game with most other manufacturers. I'm getting better at not buying multiples of papers unless they are super versatile and not that common, or something I reach for regularly, but I'm also trying to be mindful of how many I buy of those as well.

I've also been lucky enough to pick up some older products like BG from stores which still carried them well after they had stopped making products, which has helped curb my need to pay exorbitant amounts to get discontinued product I still love.

This is so relatable!! I’ve done this a few times.  It’s impossible to know if something is a one off or a trend at the beginning.


my other gate keeping question is to require myself to have a project or idea in mind before I buy.  I have not always done this, but I am trying to do it every time now to help me gut check on things I think are pretty vs things I will use.  I love looking at Cocoa Vanilla and My pretty Little studio, but I have not bought either yet because I’ve not had a specific need to fill.

One thing I struggle with is passing by things that others are destashing. I have a friend who has a large scrapbook room, and when new stuff comes in, she destashes and gives me first dibs. I don't take what I don't like or won't use, but I cannot bear to pass on a box of stuff without going through it. Free is my downfall.

When I shop, I usually buy only one of each paper or item, unless it is on mega clearance. Then I will buy like I am buying food for a famine. At Expo a store was selling the last hour 75% off of their clearance merch. I put some stuff back but not much. I brought home a one foot stack of paper from Expo. It is sitting on my sofa. I have no place to put it.

So basically I have no suggestions.

I had forgotten about Neverland! Studio Calico was definitely my first experience with FOMO.