Frugal Scrapbook Ideas

Consumers spend billions of dollars on scrapbook supplies each year. While the products seem to be more enticing than ever, the craft can certainly put a strain the best of budgets. Before you purchase your next expensive piece of paper, embellishments, or brads, consider these thrifty alternatives instead.

Save Your Gift Wrap. All the holidays offer ample opportunities to gather up scrapbook supplies. Why buy patterned papers and ribbons when you can easily recycle bags, bows, ribbons, and wrapping paper to serve the same purpose. Each holiday, have a box and a pair of scissors handy to clip and store useable pieces. You'll be surprised by the variety and store of scrapbook pages you'll be able to fill with these freebies.

Swap Supplies. Get together with your friends and trade leftover or unused scrapbook supplies. This is a great way to replenish or add new items to your stash without spending a dime.

Host a Party. Invite all your scrap-booking friends over for a night of crafts and fun. Share tools, pens, and stickers with each other. Have everyone select a few pieces of paper and a punch shape, then trade the cutouts. Use a little ingenuity and everyone will benefit!

Weigh Bulk against Single Items. Before you purchase that next package of 50,000 stickers, decide whether you really need the whole box or if you just need a few travel-related stickers. You'll save in the long run by just catering to your actual needs.

On the other hand, if you constantly use a particular type of paper for your albums, consider stocking up by purchasing the item in bulk. Typically, the higher the quantity in the package, the less the cost per item. Be sure to do the math to make certain the bulk package truly adds to your savings.

Check out Garage Sales, Auctions, and Thrift Stores. You never know what you'll find at a garage sale. Stop by a few and see if you can scope out some new stickers, scissors, or other scrapbook staples. Occasionally, you may find someone who's cleaning out their scrapbook supplies or a dealer who has discounted over-stocked items. These little gems will be well worth watching for!

Auctions are a great place to look for discount scrapbook items, especially if you have a preference for high-dollar, name-brand items. The next time you have a need or craving for a particular item, scan your favorite auction website first before placing an order or rushing off to the store. You may find what you need for considerably less.

Thrift Stores may not strike you as an ideal place to find scrapbook supplies, but often you will find stickers, albums, material, and other ideal items for your craft. See what your neighborhood shops have to offer. Get to know the staff and they may even help keep an eye out for you.

Junk Mail. Wait! Before you toss that junk mail envelope out, check it for hidden craft treasures such as stickers, CDs, and magnets. You may even find some great pictures or colorful paper to utilize.

Work with Store Coupons and Sales. Consider building your collection step by step by utilizing high dollar coupons and deep discount sales. Make a list prior to going to the craft store and stick to it. Keep track of how much you've saved and it will inspire you to continue taking the sales route, rather than paying full price for items.

Also watch for closeouts and clearances on seasonal items. You may find discounts up to 90% off when you shop off-season for next year's needs.

Use Theme Albums. Rather than scrap-booking every picture you take, select a few themes to stick too and place the remainder of your photos in a simple photo album or file storage system. For example, have select albums for events such as Halloween, Weddings, Christmas, Graduations, and Baby's First Year. If you don't fill up the album immediately, continue to add to it over the years. This will cut back on your scrapbook costs considerably and will give you easy access to find special event pictures quickly.

Use Fabric Scraps. Many craft stores sell fabric remnants, ribbons, and other sewing staples for a highly reduced rate. Take advantage of the pricing and use these as background pieces on your pages. Better yet, if you know any quilters or seamstresses, ask them if they'll save their fabric scraps for you.

There's always a way to save on your favorite hobby. Keep you eyes open and your pennies in your pocket!