Shop Smart for Scrapbooking Supplies
Here are some tips for getting great deals on your most needed and most wanted scrapbooking supplies:
Buy on sale: This seems obvious, but why would you pay full price? Watch for sales at stores in your area. Look in the newspaper for flyers from the larger stores, or sign up for a smaller store’s newsletter. Remember to ask when sales will be happening and wait until then to purchase. I recently picked up 4 sheets of patterned paper for $1.00 at my local scrapbooking store (LSS) and 3 sheets for $1.00 at Michael’s.
Use coupons for big purchases: For example, Michael’s and Joann’s often have 40% or 50% off coupons in their weekly flyer. Use these to purchase more expensive items you’ll get lots of use out of like tools, organizers or bulk paper packs (ie: a 100 piece paper block retails for $18.99 or .19 cents per sheet, but use a coupon to get it at 50% off and each page costs less than .10 cents! Love it!)
Buy reusable tools: Tools like punches and stamps (rubber or clear) can be used over and over again to create images and embellishment in any color or style. You’ll always be able to create a coordinated embellishment for any layout. Again, use a coupon to make the initial purchase, then use the tool over and over again for years to come.
Party on: Take advantage of Host Benefits from Direct Sales companies like Creative Memories, Close to My Heart and Stampin’ Up. You’ll receive lots of products free or at reduced costs just for hosting a party for your friends. Also ask to be on consultants mailing list so you can be the first to know of specials and promotions.
Think alternative: What about shopping for supplies at garage sales, Ebay or Dollar Stores? Also, check out hardware and office supply stores for unusual items to use on your pages.
Don’t spend a dime. Bring home lots of new stuff without paying for anything by arranging a scrapbooking materials swap with a bunch of friends. Everyone brings their unwanted/unneeded items and swaps them for other items they CAN use. Make a party or crop out of it.
Shop your own stash: It’s easy to be swayed into purchasing the latest and greatest when you are in the LSS. Routinely go through your stash BEFORE you go to the store! You might find just what you need. It is important to get organized first so you can see what you have and avoid buying duplicates or stuff you really don’t need! (Create your own page kits by doing this!)
Don’t buy it – share it!: Crop with friends, at a LSS, or at a direct salesperson’s workshop. (Some may charge an annual fee for unlimited use, or small fee per workshop, but it will probably still be more cost efficient than purchasing the items yourself!) Use their tools to punch, cut etc. and save money. If you have a CRICUT and a friend has a QuiKutz, get together and teach each other how to use them, then make a bunch of items to bring home with you using her tool/machine!
$1 per use rule: Consider this the next time you are thinking about spending that hard earned cash — if an item is $15.00, will you use it 15 times or is their enough to use on 15 layouts? If not, maybe reconsider!
Buy on sale: This seems obvious, but why would you pay full price? Watch for sales at stores in your area. Look in the newspaper for flyers from the larger stores, or sign up for a smaller store’s newsletter. Remember to ask when sales will be happening and wait until then to purchase. I recently picked up 4 sheets of patterned paper for $1.00 at my local scrapbooking store (LSS) and 3 sheets for $1.00 at Michael’s.
Use coupons for big purchases: For example, Michael’s and Joann’s often have 40% or 50% off coupons in their weekly flyer. Use these to purchase more expensive items you’ll get lots of use out of like tools, organizers or bulk paper packs (ie: a 100 piece paper block retails for $18.99 or .19 cents per sheet, but use a coupon to get it at 50% off and each page costs less than .10 cents! Love it!)
Buy reusable tools: Tools like punches and stamps (rubber or clear) can be used over and over again to create images and embellishment in any color or style. You’ll always be able to create a coordinated embellishment for any layout. Again, use a coupon to make the initial purchase, then use the tool over and over again for years to come.
Party on: Take advantage of Host Benefits from Direct Sales companies like Creative Memories, Close to My Heart and Stampin’ Up. You’ll receive lots of products free or at reduced costs just for hosting a party for your friends. Also ask to be on consultants mailing list so you can be the first to know of specials and promotions.
Think alternative: What about shopping for supplies at garage sales, Ebay or Dollar Stores? Also, check out hardware and office supply stores for unusual items to use on your pages.
Don’t spend a dime. Bring home lots of new stuff without paying for anything by arranging a scrapbooking materials swap with a bunch of friends. Everyone brings their unwanted/unneeded items and swaps them for other items they CAN use. Make a party or crop out of it.
Shop your own stash: It’s easy to be swayed into purchasing the latest and greatest when you are in the LSS. Routinely go through your stash BEFORE you go to the store! You might find just what you need. It is important to get organized first so you can see what you have and avoid buying duplicates or stuff you really don’t need! (Create your own page kits by doing this!)
Don’t buy it – share it!: Crop with friends, at a LSS, or at a direct salesperson’s workshop. (Some may charge an annual fee for unlimited use, or small fee per workshop, but it will probably still be more cost efficient than purchasing the items yourself!) Use their tools to punch, cut etc. and save money. If you have a CRICUT and a friend has a QuiKutz, get together and teach each other how to use them, then make a bunch of items to bring home with you using her tool/machine!
$1 per use rule: Consider this the next time you are thinking about spending that hard earned cash — if an item is $15.00, will you use it 15 times or is their enough to use on 15 layouts? If not, maybe reconsider!
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