10 Cost-Cutting Strategies
by Rockester
Scrapbooking can quickly accumulate a high cost-per-page average if
you are not careful. Want to be more frugal when you scrapbook? The old adage
about needing to spend a little time to save a lot of money is definitely true.
Here are ten ways to stretch your scrapbooking budget.
1.. Get organized. You probably have much more than you realize
already at your disposal. Most scrapbookers are stunned to see what they already
own when they get organized. It's like a shopping spree in your own home!
2.. Buy in bulk. Buy multipacks of cardstock in the colors you use
most often or split a patterned paper pack with a friend. Try using background
paper from a multipack throughout a whole album and spend your money on the
accents instead of the background papers. These ideas will keep you from making
those by-the-sheet paper purchases which can quickly add up.
3.. Stretch it out. Cardstock is almost universally cheaper than
patterned paper. Use cardstock as the background on a two-page layout and save
on patterned paper by splitting it between the pages in creative ways.
4.. Plan your pages. Decide on photo sets, theme, backgrounds, and
accents before you go to a crop where products are available for purchase. Look
at what you already own and take it along to use. If you preplan and pre-pack,
you can save yourself from impulse spending at each scrapbooking crop.
5.. Use everyday objects as templates. You don't need a circle
template if you can trace around a CD, water glass or a cereal bowl. Use a
Post-It note as a square template or cookie cutters as journaling template
shapes. Need a photo mat? Books can also make great templates.
6.. Scrounge for embellishments. Look around you for 'lumpy'
scrapbooking objects. You might find the perfect embellishments such as staples,
hinges, clips, or pins in your junk drawer. Check for fibers, buttons or ribbon
in your sewing or yarn basket. Ask non-scrappers if you can take a peek in their
sewing basket or junk drawer too. You never know what treasures you might find
in everyday objects.
7.. Invest in good tools. Cost per use is best for quality tools
like black pens, rulers, hole punches, sewing needles, paper trimmers, and a
good pair of scissors.
8.. Lay off the letters. I know we all love them, but sticker
lettering and rub-on title wording can add up in cost very quickly. Give them up
just for a few layouts. Instead try non-disposable options for lettering, such
as stamps, computer fonts or hand-cut lettering.
9.. Stockpile your basics. Avoid spur-of-the-moment purchasing by
having a small stockpile of basic items. When you make something basic from your
paper scraps, like a white tag or silver bookplate, make several. I personally
stockpile 1.5" circle shapes, 2" squares, and several sizes of tag shapes, mini
envelopes, mini file folders, black and grey and brown paper hinges, metallic
paper photo turns, bookplates, and mini 3" frames that look like large slide
mounts. You won't have to buy them if you store them in an organized manner and
have them on hand.
10.. Kick the shopping habit. Sure it is fun but admit it, it is a
habit. Make a resolution to use what you have before purchasing new items.
Think about your scrapbook spending. Incorporate a few of these
simple ideas. Spending just a few extra minutes beforehand will often save you
plenty of dollars when you are scrapbooking. Even better, saving a few dollars
per layout now will allow you to splurge on something else down the road!
Advertisement: Save BIG this spring with Scrap Tutor!
by Rockester
Scrapbooking can quickly accumulate a high cost-per-page average if
you are not careful. Want to be more frugal when you scrapbook? The old adage
about needing to spend a little time to save a lot of money is definitely true.
Here are ten ways to stretch your scrapbooking budget.
1.. Get organized. You probably have much more than you realize
already at your disposal. Most scrapbookers are stunned to see what they already
own when they get organized. It's like a shopping spree in your own home!
2.. Buy in bulk. Buy multipacks of cardstock in the colors you use
most often or split a patterned paper pack with a friend. Try using background
paper from a multipack throughout a whole album and spend your money on the
accents instead of the background papers. These ideas will keep you from making
those by-the-sheet paper purchases which can quickly add up.
3.. Stretch it out. Cardstock is almost universally cheaper than
patterned paper. Use cardstock as the background on a two-page layout and save
on patterned paper by splitting it between the pages in creative ways.
4.. Plan your pages. Decide on photo sets, theme, backgrounds, and
accents before you go to a crop where products are available for purchase. Look
at what you already own and take it along to use. If you preplan and pre-pack,
you can save yourself from impulse spending at each scrapbooking crop.
5.. Use everyday objects as templates. You don't need a circle
template if you can trace around a CD, water glass or a cereal bowl. Use a
Post-It note as a square template or cookie cutters as journaling template
shapes. Need a photo mat? Books can also make great templates.
6.. Scrounge for embellishments. Look around you for 'lumpy'
scrapbooking objects. You might find the perfect embellishments such as staples,
hinges, clips, or pins in your junk drawer. Check for fibers, buttons or ribbon
in your sewing or yarn basket. Ask non-scrappers if you can take a peek in their
sewing basket or junk drawer too. You never know what treasures you might find
in everyday objects.
7.. Invest in good tools. Cost per use is best for quality tools
like black pens, rulers, hole punches, sewing needles, paper trimmers, and a
good pair of scissors.
8.. Lay off the letters. I know we all love them, but sticker
lettering and rub-on title wording can add up in cost very quickly. Give them up
just for a few layouts. Instead try non-disposable options for lettering, such
as stamps, computer fonts or hand-cut lettering.
9.. Stockpile your basics. Avoid spur-of-the-moment purchasing by
having a small stockpile of basic items. When you make something basic from your
paper scraps, like a white tag or silver bookplate, make several. I personally
stockpile 1.5" circle shapes, 2" squares, and several sizes of tag shapes, mini
envelopes, mini file folders, black and grey and brown paper hinges, metallic
paper photo turns, bookplates, and mini 3" frames that look like large slide
mounts. You won't have to buy them if you store them in an organized manner and
have them on hand.
10.. Kick the shopping habit. Sure it is fun but admit it, it is a
habit. Make a resolution to use what you have before purchasing new items.
Think about your scrapbook spending. Incorporate a few of these
simple ideas. Spending just a few extra minutes beforehand will often save you
plenty of dollars when you are scrapbooking. Even better, saving a few dollars
per layout now will allow you to splurge on something else down the road!
Advertisement: Save BIG this spring with Scrap Tutor!
Thanks for the tips... always great reminders that scrapping doesn't have to be an expensive hobby!..........P
It's so much fun to get a little package in the mail. 
Hi all. I used to be a CMC - back in the days when they didn't have as much cool stuff as they do now so we improvised when we needed cropping tools. 
