Moneye Saving Tips from the Divas~~

scruggle · **Moneye Saving Tips from the Divas~~**

JenM offered an awesome prize to a random winner who submitted a tip. I decided to consoladate them and put them here:

3lynns: Try and trade and swap with people if you can so that you can give away stuff you don't use and they are getting something they can use.
mommyfink: always scan the clearance isle....you never know what you might find. Including the clearance section on online stores....they all have them now!!
kmslhowell: ALWAYS check the dollar store and Big Lots (closeout store) because a lot of time you can find name brand products for cents on the dollar and you save so much$$$$!!
LeeMP22: I love the dollar bins at Michael's! They always have nice stuff especially the clear stamps (I don't feel to bad when I don't use them much either!) I also like to look for supplies in places other than the scrapbooking section or store. You can find lots of cool things that aren't meant for scrapbooking but look great on a page!
jessthenurse: Go through your junk drawers and extra closets before you run to the store for something. You never know just what you may have "saved"!
kellynkay: Utilize things from unexpected places. IE: before getting rid of that old torn up shirt ~ pull off the buttons....don't just toss those small tiny pieces of sidewalk chalk ~ use them on your cards....hold onto those hotel card keys, boarding pass stubs, receipts and use them on your vacation pages.
noahsmommy: Look for scrapbooking stuff at Teacher stores. They have some really cool stuff for really cheap. Also look at places you wouldnt think of like meijer and other stores that are all in one, I found some really cool clear big stamps for a dollar a piece about 20 mins ago!
scruggle: Look for things in the store in places that are not marked "scrapbooking". adhesives, "skittles", small hardware, colored staples, etc are ussually cheaper in the other aisles.....
ConnieJ6: Buy cheap supplies at Dollar Tree when they have items in and also at the Goodwill store. I get some scrapbooking stickers and other stickers that can be used for scrapbooking when there are deals at Dollar General where I work.
mrs.teeee: greeting cards that you aren't keeping intact for sentimental reasons can be quite useful
... the fronts can be used sometimes,, or even the quotes inside

.. clearance 'christmas letter' stationary has GREAT borders ... get it for .25 a pack in may! lol
lizer3: I am trying to use my scrap fabric from my quilts!! I also have used a wall covering sample book that I had lying around
EmberNevill: On Mommysavers you often get RAKs and if you are involved in crops and swaps... its a great way to accunmulate scrap items.. but the truth is.. you might not use everything you recieve (or buy for that matter!) I keep a big basket of items that I know will never get used. I often go through my personal stash and take things out that Ive been hoarding forever and put them into the basket.

I use the things in the basket to *gasp* re-RAK out.. or give to friends for birthday/Christmas- whatever gifts, or take it to crops to share with people who dont have much stuff. I have a basket FULL of stuff that Ive collected over the years! One mans trash is another mans treasure! I save a LOT of money using items from my "giving basket!"
itstinkerbelle: You can use lots of scrap projects to make and give as gifts for B-days etc. saving tons of money, Even alter an item and fill with your x tra scrap supplies, makes a great gift.
samantharae: My money saving tip: is to join in on the swaps and buy things you will use not something that is just pretty. For example why should I buy ballet stickers if I'm not going to use them? (We don't do ballet)
kmslhowell: Always check out garage sales for scrapbooking items and it never hurts to try for an item on Ebay if it is MUST have item and you cant get it locally sometime you can actually get a good deal. The key to EBAY is only look at the items that are ending soon and bid if it is cheap!!
noahsmommy: Another good tip is Shop with a friend or two and share the cost and split the items. Or if there is a buy one get one free go half on the item with a friend and you each get one!
mommyfink: Always keep your eyes peeled....you just never know where a deal or unexpected item will show up. There are always things laying around your house that you could use too. Things that you can alter and give as gifts. I have gotten rid of somethings and later think....oh yeah...I could have done this with that. Always think before you toss it.
noahsmommy: When shopping at stores like michaels and Jo anns and hobby lobby dont forget to use a coupon they take a good chunk of the price off.
jessthenurse: I buy 90% of my alterable containers at thrift stores. 50cents for a tin at Salvation Army or $5 at the LSS? Not to hard to choose and since you're covering it, they'll never see if it had a design or was white to begin with!
scruggle: I use the Mason jars that spaghetti sauce comes in to store ribbon and whatnot...

3lynns · 05-15-2008, 01:15 PM

That is a lot of tips! Thanks for doing this Alicia. I am sure that we have all learned something new from this!