Where and when to buy supplies?

Hello Fellow Crafters and Artists,

This entry is all about where to get the most for our dollar.  This is especially important during these hard economic times.  My family subscribes to a local paper so I get at least on flyer from Michael's, JoAnns, or AC Moore a week.  It is tempting to run to the store to get an item on sale or use a coupon for something I have had my eye on.  Now I am asking myself (also due to storage issues at home) do I really need that item.  Can I wait another week or month, or months?  Usually the answer is yes.  It's hard, but it is important for me to use the materials I already have.  Shopping and buying is the easy part, it is sitting down and creating that is more challenging, at least for me.

Where to shop is another issue.  I live near a Michael's so I tend to shop there more than anywhere, even though compared to other stores it has a limited stock.  As I am trying to set up a business and report taxes for next year I organized my receipts today and found out just how often I shop at Michael's.  I also figured out that I am usually making a purchase about 4:30 pm.  This was a news flash for me.  Having a difficult day a work, stop and Michael's and buy craft supplies.  I have decided that I have enough and spend more time creating than shopping.

I also have to be careful with buying from QVC and HSN.  Recently, I bought something from Memory Makers to help me organize my cards.  They were advertising a new letter cutting machine called the Slice.  I can't remember the price, but I just got an e-mail from JoAnn Fabrics advertising the Slice on sale.  Okay, what to do?  For me nothing, I am not buying remember?  It is tempting and I love JoAnns, but now that the store in Laurel, Maryland has closed it will not be as easy for me to shop there.  QVC does a great job of getting you what you ordered to quickly, but the shipping and handling can be painful.  

So word from the wise and broke Laura Brown,  look through your supplies and use what you have first.  Resist buying more, even if it is on sale.  Now that the holidays are over those great buys are fewer and fewer.  Remember, there will always be a sale.  Enjoy creating!  Take Care!!!