Hubby and I have been trying to figure out ways to cut back so we can stay on track with our budget. Something we instituted a while ago was a monthly allowance for each of us. We both get the same amount of money, in cash, to do whatever we want with. Over the last few months I have been spending every dime of my allowance on scrapbooking (and a bagel with cream cheese once last month). I'm starting to think that maybe I ought to cut back on my scrapbook spending so that I can purchase other things, like clothes (I could really use some new socks, but I keep forgetting and buying new scrapbook paper instead...hmmm). So I came up with a solution. I read in my monthly scrapbooking magazine that there are companies out there where you can sign up for a monthly kit, full of new coordinating scrapbook supplies, like paper, embellishments, letters, and stamps. This sounded like a good idea, but the only problem is that they work on an automatic monthly withdrawl system, and Hubby and I are trying to avoid automatic withdrawl payments as much as possible. So I came up with my own fun solution: The Do-It-Yourself Monthly Scrapbook Kit! I came up with a list of what will be included in the kit each month and how to go about getting good prices and saving myself some money. I thought I would share it with you all, in case anyone was considering the same idea. Here's how it works:
The do-it-yourself monthly scrapbook kit includes-
*4 patterned papers
*4-6 coordinating cardstocks (can be sparkly, plain, or textured)
*1 large alphabet
*1 small alphabet
*1 dimensional sticker pack
*1 pack of coordinating brads
*1 roll of ribbon
*1 rub-on pack
*1 new punch or stamp and pad
Here's a few tips on how to put together your monthly kit:
*Keep it under $30! It's a lot easier than you think, especially if you hit the sales. You might even be able to keep it under $20 if you really clip coupons and resolve not to buy anything full priced.
*Always look for sales! Clip Michael's coupons from the Sunday circular, check the Beverly's monthly circular for deals and coupons, sign up to be on the Jo-Ann's mailing list (they have new coupons each week and they are almost ALWAYS having a sale on scrapbooking stuff), and sign up for newsletters from your local scrapbooking specialty stores.
*You don't have to buy your kit all at once or all in the same place, but it is a good idea if you want to be sure it all coordinates. My advice: Pick a special day just for shopping for your kit. If you have to make it two for the sake of a sale, go for it, but don't spread it too far apart or you might get carried away and go off the list. And don't forget to shop around for the best deals!
*Try doing your shopping online. Jo-Ann's online usually has some amazing deals, as well as Create for Less and Scrapbooks.com. This could save you a bundle, and everything will arrive together, just like if you signed up for a monthly kit club =0)
*Try to go for a particular theme each month. It's a lot of fun to try to get everything to match, and it gets the creative juices flowing.
Here's a few theme ideas:
*Desserts
*Picnic in the Park
*Cool, Clear, Water
*Bugs
*Animal Crackers
*Garden Tea
*The Blue Zoo
*Girls Night Out
*Adventure Mountain
*World Tour
*The Food Network
*Princess Diaries
*Sparkle-Tastic
*Spectacular Spectacular
*How do you get to Carnegie Hall?
*Puppy Power!
*Cat Crazy!
*Fruity-licious
*Feelin' Groovy
*Timeless Classics
*Snips and Snails and Puppy Dog Tails
*Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice
*Earth Day
*Beautiful Birthdays
*The Zoo!
That's just a few ideas to get you started. I'm really looking for ward to picking out my kit for next month. I'm going for a nature theme, complete with owls, trees, and snails =0) Good luck scrappers!
