Scrapbooking Budget

Carla - posted on 01/01/2010

I understand. I am now beginning to discipline myself. I only really buy what I need and force myself to finish projects before I start a new one. It is hard, but otherwise I just end up buying too much.

Luci - posted on 01/01/2010

I am a frugal scrapbook shopper. I always go to the discount section of anystore that I am at. I am a member of Memory-Works as well so I get great discounts on alot of stuff from there. I have coupon stamp cards with Creative memories consultants and I always suggest a crop n trade table when I go to scrap events. That way I don't waste things I don't use by throwing them away and I can also walk out with some other stuff that I can use from someone elses trash pile. My budget is alway limited for scrapbooking. Food, houseing and all that comes first ya know. Buying in bulk at discount stores and sharing costs with friends also helps.

Ginger - posted on 01/01/2010

I don't have a budget, but I should! My daughter and I scrapbook alot and we have a room at my house especially for it. When we put the room together last Spring we were in shock about how much we had! We are more careful now not to just buy paper, we try to use what we have and only buy it if it is on sale and we have a specific use for it planned. We use Michaels and Joanns coupons and never buy anything unless it is on sale or we can use the coupon.

Annette - posted on 01/01/2010

I never thought about making up page kits before I go to a class. Sometimes, though, they have page kits ready in order to teach a new technique. Then, I just take pictures to fit the theme. I haven't gone to a class in a long time. The one group I was in disbanded. A friend from that group told us she doesn't like to buy stickers because once you use them, they're gone. She buys stamps when they're on sale, and then she can reuse them. That is her way of saving money. I know what you mean about the papers. I try to restrain myself! LOL! Thanks for the idea, Melody, about putting together page kits.

Melody - posted on 01/01/2010

In the past I haven't really had a budget, just bought what I wanted when I wanted it. With the exception of big tools. I just got the Cricut Expression for my birthday last year and love it. I tend to go to out of area retreats 2-3 times per year. For those I save up money (even selling off old baby stuff at JBF sales) and take a large sum with me. I tend to buy like crazy while I'm there. I've attended one in SLC, UT for a couple year now and then take advantage of all the whare house sales. At this point, I have so much paper and embellishments and a really fair array of tools, so my goal this year is to try and use only what I have on hand and make use of all this stuff. Paper is my downfall, so as long as I don't go in, I'm ok. My most helpful trick is to make up page kits to take to the retreats. They keep my focused, save time later, and keep me from spending too much money. It's also great to feel that sense of accomplishement when you get home and realize how many of the kits you actually completed.

Annette - posted on 12/31/2009

Yes, I've seen the $1 section at JoAnn's. We don't really have a Michael's close enough, so I don't get there too often. I have bought a few things from the $1 section at JoAnn's. Also, like others here have said, I wait until the stacks of papers go on sale, and then I've been known to split the cost of that with one or two others. That keeps me from having too many papers that are alike. Then I get bored with the same old patterns and colors -- especially if they're seasonal. I also watch for mat stacks on sale. I especially like the peel and stick because I get tired of glue and other adhesives.

Brandy - posted on 12/31/2009

I think that those who have the cricut could maybe share cut outs with people as well.

Brandy - posted on 12/31/2009

I really have started a budget. I sell some of my boxes or cards. That money I put in an envelope and that is my budget. The Dollar Tree has alot of stuff for a $1. Michael's also has a $1 section. I only buy paper when it is onsale. Joann's always has half off sales on thier stacks. Joann's online also offers free shipping sometimes and it helps just to order online rather go to the store and see everything. They also have a $1 section.

Annette - posted on 12/31/2009

Oh, and it also helps to go to scrapbooking clubs and groups where you can share tools and supplies. I also have a friend who has more $$ than I. She has purchased a Cricut Expressions machine. She invited me to come over and "play with it." I got some nice things cut from it. She wants me to come back over and use it again. I'm working on my in-laws' golden wedding anniversary album. She has lots of ideas, so she is a big help and is always willing to share supplies and tools. I couldn't do half of what I do without her, and she is the one who got me "hooked." Hubby did remodel our front porch and fixed it up for me to do my scrapbooking. I also have my genealogy records there as well. More often than not, the two hobbies go together.

Annette - posted on 12/31/2009

No, I do not have a scrapbooking budget. If I have some gift money, or extra money, I watch for coupons. Do you have a Hobby Lobby store in your area? If so, get their weekly emails, and you'll get coupons for 40-50% off of a regular priced item. Plus, you'll be alerted to special sales (i.e. papers, card stock, tools, stamps, ink pads, etc.). I hardly ever buy anything full price. I am an amateur compared to some people. However, I used to belong to a group that learned certain tricks of the trade that helped save money. For example, you can make a pop up feature just by using a scrap of paper folded accordian style and glued to the thing you want to pop up and to your scrapbook page. Have you looked into the papers that are double-sided? They are true money savers. I don't buy stuff online much, but I do buy at the stores. Again, hardly ever at full price. However, I usually buy only what I need when I need it. Hope this helps and doesn't sound like rambling.

Sharon - posted on 12/30/2009

Confession time...My hubby is in construction and owns his own business. He pays the bills. but, since it is his own business we would not have health insurance. I have a part-time hours job (26 - 28 hrs a week) that gives us health/dental insurance. The pay is really pathetic but hubby lets me do what I want with it so this is my scrapbook fund. I have all the toys that go with scrapbooking, Die cut machines, photo printers, The whole line of paper and inks from both Stampin Up and Close to My Heart, 1,000s and 1,000s of pieces of 12x12 paper, if there is a new tool coming out, I more than likely own it or have it on order. LOL

Kerri - posted on 12/26/2009

budget ? what's that ? lol...i used to try to save $20 for just things i couldn't resist. now it's just about sharing products with friends ! paper swaps are my fave thing currently & online scrappy sites with sales catches my eye usually , but in saying that, i barely buy things to go with my photos....it's just things i can't seem to live w/out.wish u were in new zealand, the word tools caught my eye lol

Nicole - posted on 12/24/2009

Quoting Bethany:

I used to be able to buy pretty much what I wanted...so now I have a TON of stuff...several major life events happened this year so I now have ZERO budget so this year I am using what I have...My scraproom is a total disaster so after the holidays, I'm clearing everything out and doing a major organization then I am going to make "page kits" where I take my photos, match with paper and embellishments and put into the 2.5 gallon Hefty One Zip bags, that way when I sit down to scrap everything is all set to go!

Bethany....I totally get it!  If I can offer one suggestion....Instead of a zip lock bag, if you have an album already with clear protector sheets, then put your paper and pics in the page protectors in your book.  Doesn't matter what order they are in, that is what I love about page protector books, you can change the book around without having to take it apart and attempt to put it back together again.  This way you know you are preserving the pics if they are in page "protectors" as opposed to plastic bags.  Best wishes, Nicole

Bethany - posted on 12/24/2009

I used to be able to buy pretty much what I wanted...so now I have a TON of stuff...several major life events happened this year so I now have ZERO budget so this year I am using what I have...My scraproom is a total disaster so after the holidays, I'm clearing everything out and doing a major organization then I am going to make "page kits" where I take my photos, match with paper and embellishments and put into the 2.5 gallon Hefty One Zip bags, that way when I sit down to scrap everything is all set to go!

CHRIS - posted on 12/23/2009

If you live near Youngstown Ohio, I am still selling all my paper scrapbooking items, I still have a lot of paper 12x12 and scrapbooking tools available

Nicole - posted on 12/21/2009

You know....I found a product I liked, Stampin' Up! about 10 years ago. I decided then that they made it easy to do what I needed to do. Sure there are tons of other cool products out there, but I like things to coordinate and work together and to be used in various other projects I always have going on. SU! did it for me. So I signed up 10 years ago and get a discount on all my purchases, make money while I am at it, and go on expense paid vacations with my family! I can't beat that....www.NicoleGunter.com

Tamara - posted on 12/21/2009

I have a weakness for alot of things when it comes to scrapbooking.I love all my die-cut machines.I have a paper fetish.I use Hobby Lobby coupons mostly and get all my stacks for 50% off.A budget though?My husband wishes...lol.The new year will be different.I need to use more of what I have and stop buying.

Lorraine - posted on 12/21/2009

i don't have a budget for mine i just work with one page at a time and mainly use what i have as long as i have my letter stamps and punches that's enuff to highlight what your doing i have a whole heap of paper so i think that's the most of your pages done plus i like to draw on white paper and colour it in then cut out and that's my layered afect i am going to start doing scrappbooking classes so i might be buying more then or i just buy bit's at a time. i have even done plain pages with just stamps i reckon it's what you put into it that matters and tells the page your own personal touch.

Stephanie - posted on 12/20/2009

Quoting Pam:

I usually go with a rough dollar figure that I can't go over. I try to find items that I can use over and over for many different layouts. I found some really neat ideas where you use a glue gun and stamps to create 3D embellishments. I can't wait to try them out.

Otherwise I have several tools and my weakness is paper as well... Wal-mart usually has paper pads for $10...Michaels has their cardstock sales, usually for $4-5 for 50 sheets...... :o)

Okay Pam. Spill it! How do you make these 3D embellishments?

*Steph*

Stephanie - posted on 12/19/2009

I alos buy in bulk & share with my friends. Split the cost.

Stephanie - posted on 12/19/2009

Dianne, I can't say that I have a budget for it but I am very frugal about looking for the best deals on what I do get. Big Lots can be good at times, JOanns is good for cardstock & paper stacks. I guess my newest tool is my Gypsy. I have not had alot of time to do much with it yet. Hope this helps. Stephanie

Pam - posted on 12/19/2009

I usually go with a rough dollar figure that I can't go over. I try to find items that I can use over and over for many different layouts. I found some really neat ideas where you use a glue gun and stamps to create 3D embellishments. I can't wait to try them out.

Otherwise I have several tools and my weakness is paper as well... Wal-mart usually has paper pads for $10...Michaels has their cardstock sales, usually for $4-5 for 50 sheets...... :o)

Nicole - posted on 12/16/2009

I don't set myself at a budget, but if we have a little extra money, I will usually buy something that I have had my eye on. If we don't have the money at the time and I have my eye on something, then I just wait. I always use my Joanns and Michaels coupons as well to keep the cost down.