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Well I finally updated my spending from the summer, yikes! Even though I'm been MIA from my craft desk, I've still been keeping track of my spending and my lack of card making (a whompin' 4 since I got back from CA). I just had to have some 2007 in color paper before it was no longer available, then of course the new catty came out and I had to take 'em up on their specials on some of the new sets! Oh and I couldn't pass up stampingbella's free shipping on my 15th yr anniversary! And I had to order my Arizona style stamps from Viva Las Vegas Stamps for my moving announcements and this years Christmas cards (and a few sentiments that will give you a good laugh!). All that bumped me from $599 to $878...yikes...to think it's not including the order I made for A Muse yesterday. But, that was for my daughter's baby shower invites and announcements, so I have a good excuse, lol. I can't wait until we get to Tucson and are all settled so I can get back to stamping!
How's everyone else doing?
Like you I gave into my need for a bit of new stuff from SU!'s new catalog and I might just have to cave into a few of the October specials. I am hoping to get some more crafting done to keep my numbers in line and to get ready for the onslaught of fall birthdays and the coming holiday season.
I know what you mean. I joined a bunch of card swaps, thinking it would help, but nope - 2 emergency trips to the craft stores to get supplies. Plus, I'm going through mono adhesive like it's water! I don't even try to track spending on stuff like that (thank goodness!) or postage - think how far in the hole I'd be if I did - shudder!
OMG! I went to 2 classes taught by Tim Holtz this past weekend, and my 'Spent' almost doubled! Not to mention some 'gotta have it' spending online! I'm getting in deep. My only hope will be if I can "start over" with zero balances in 2009!
How's everyone else doing with their spending???
I've taken the whole concept of using up the things I have to heart. I've only spent $9 on new Stickles this month and I have $60 left over! I've been cranking out cards to sell for my 3-Day Breast Cancer walk fundraiser and it adds up quick.
This challenge has been great!
__________________ I'm a ChemoAngel & SeniorAngel! Click HERE to learn more.
I was just thinking the other day that I've completely lost track of things. I've made things and not counted them. I've gone to countless aerobics classes, and not logged in those times, and I know I've bought things and not kept track. I did really well up through August. (That's more than half the year.) But, then school started again, I started grading papers, and spending less time on the computer, and forgot about updating. Oh well.
Counting those kinds of cards strikes me as completely fair! You'll be using up a lot of supplies that will need to be replenished! This is crunch time for card makers...think of all the "overtime" you're putting in and "pay" yourself for it. ;)
__________________ ~Wendy
Air Force wife and homeschooling mama to two
In my spare time (ha!) I love to stamp, scrapbook,
{blog} and eat chocolate. Not necessarily in that order.
I guess I consider it unfair, b/c I usually buy the supplies for them out of the Christmas Budget, so it's like robbing peter to pay paul, kinda.
BUT....... I asked DH and he said for all of them I have to do, to count them. So I guess I will. But I'm still interested in hearing what you gals do.
I agree that the holiday cards should be counted. You're taking the time to make them and even though you bought some special items, you're probably using up some previously purchased staple items too!
__________________ I'm a ChemoAngel & SeniorAngel! Click HERE to learn more.
You Gals have good points, and I guess, having been doing this "on my own" for a few months (and I've done it by quarter, rather than year) I might put my Oct, nov, dec. in my siggy, too. If that's ok.
now, off to count those holiday cards and pages, :-)
I just found this thread and hope that you're going to continue it into next year. I don't have much "extra" money in our family budget and I feel guilty spending what little there is on myself when I have so much already. I'd considered taking a year off of stamping entirely - not reading any more blogs (because I just see more things that I want) or updating my own, but this looks like a viable alternative! I think I'll allow myself $1/card made. I only scrapbook once a year... I did the 31 days of January challenge somewhere online last year and put all of the pictures from the year before into a book. I think I'll do that again this year. I'll give myself $2/page for that. I'll have to include adhesive, envelopes and postage in my spending as well... Maybe I'll start the challenge now and see what I can rack up in spending points before the end of the year.
So how do you all keep track of what you've made??
Hi T. Joy! Welcome.
I don't know about the other girls, as I found this thread late as well. I just update my siggy everytime I complete a project - be it just one card, or a bunch for a swap. As you can see, I've not been very successful at holding down my spending, but I do think I've improved since tracking it. It at least makes me think more before buying. I've found that swapping has been a tremendous help to me when it comes to using the DP and brads that I've been hoarding.
if it's not continued here, and I'm assuming it will, it won't hurt to do it yourself. I done it by myself for a while b4 posting that I was doing it and adding it to my siggy :-)
So how do you all keep track of what you've made??
Hi T. Joy. Since I'm good with spreadsheets I keep track in an Excel spreadsheet. I'd be happy to share it with you if you're interested.
I don't update my siggy line, but have found this challenge a great way to use up my supplies and save some $$. I really think twice before I rush off to buy the latest tool that is recommended - but I could make cards for years with the stock of ribbon and DP I've accumulated!
__________________ I'm a ChemoAngel & SeniorAngel! Click HERE to learn more.
Ugh! Okay, I finally updated my siggy line. :( I'm out of order right now but I am in the middle of a good sized project so that might help my numbers for the end of the year.
I am hoping to do this again next year. Perhaps start Jan 1 with a nice clean thread and signature line, what do you all think?
This thread has really helped me get stamping again and thinking about need vs want on purchases even if I haven't been perfect.
Is this thread going to restart next month....if it is, I would really like to join to help keep track of my spending....I have a question, I'm about to sign up to be a SU demo.....with club expenses, do I count the cards we make there toward card I make, since I'm supplying all the stuff for them? :confused:
__________________
~Dianne~One of Kota's KidsSU Demo
Every experience God gives us, every person He puts in our lives is preparation for a future that only He can see--Corrie ten Boom
I also vote for not counting gift money. Gifts don't seem to be a part of this. You wouldn't add a sweater you received, so why would you add a stamp you received as a gift?
Nope, gift money is just for me. If I buy stamp stuff then I do but I didn't count it in my numbers. Enjoy!
Dianne - Welcome to the thread! I hope you join us now or later (which ever works for you). I don't know what to tell you about demo expenses but I'm sure you will get good advice.
I thought I would check in and see how everyone is doing. I haven't stamped in months, and am really starting to miss it. Not to mention my cards supply is seriously dwindling. I can't wait to get started back up in January and keep track again of the cards I make. I quit my card club because of being pg and I didn't want to keep spending more and more. And I am proud I haven't spent anything since I stopped stamping...that's one step in the right direction. Can't wait to see how everyone ends the year!
Now that I see my signature, I think I might start my year with my $86 banked and ready to spend. We'll see; I have my eye on those tag punches and a scorpal.
Well--year end is almost here....I am just about even right at this moment...Bad broncitius(sp) put a halt to my water aerobics for the month but I have only spent about $25.00 and sold over $200 -----I still haven't made my Christmas cards (on schedule for Sunday) so that will up card count a bit more.....think I will come out ok.....definately want to do it again next year--it helped me curb impluse buying.
__________________ c-mouse-If you can't say nuttin nice--don't say nuttin at all. Thumper. Pansy
Card Sketch Challenge 1-227 done only 396+ to go to be caught up!!!!!
Hi T. Joy. Since I'm good with spreadsheets I keep track in an Excel spreadsheet. I'd be happy to share it with you if you're interested.
I can't believe it's been a month since I've been on here! I'm definitely starting in January... so I've been buying a bunch of big ticket items early... cuttlebug, some punches, some copics.... Hmmmm :rolleyes: I have made about 30 cards and scrapbooked a few pages this month, though, so that would have covered some of it... ok, so not very much of it, but it makes me feel better to say so!! :mrgreen: And my in-laws gave me a papertrey gift certificate that I got to spend and a friend gave me a pizza box *full* of dp and old in color cardstock from SU, so I really should be ok for a little bit. I'd love a scor-pal, a few more copics, a couple Tildas, and a high hopes dragon or two, but I'm afraid I'll *need* essentials like envelopes and ribbon and cream cardstock. Sigh. That's not as fun!!
Anyway, if you read this MrsClark, I'd love the Excel Spreadsheet. I'll pm you my email address.
So I was doing so badly that I took the info out of the sig line. lol I am starting Jan 1 and am going to do much better this year. Yeah right!!!! Okay, I did pretty good until I was getting read for convention and then I went to convention and well from there it was all down year.
So...I haven't updated my sig line for Nov & Dec. I know I spent a lot this year, but it happens:rolleyes: 2009 looks like my life is going to be less stressful, crazy & chaotic...I know I'll be able to play with all the goodies I've purchased and get a good stock pile of cards going. This was a lot of fun, even though it doesn't show by my #'s it did keep me thinking about each purchase I made. Looking forward to being more on track next year!
