Is there anything more fun than going to the craft store? It seems every time I step through those magical doors, I just want to buy all the things! There are so many gorgeous colors and fun toys to be had! And it’s so hard to resist the urge to control your spending when there are so many amazing craft supplies right at your fingertips! Why must there be so many temptations?
And though it might be great fun to bring half the craft store home with you, it not only quickly drains your bank account and leaves less money for important things, you know like groceries and the mortgage, but it also adds a lot of clutter to your craft stash. And I don’t know about you, but I kind of like to eat, and I just don’t have unlimited craft storage space, so I’ve learned to be pretty judicious with my craft supply purchases since I only have a small space to store them.
How to Control Your Spending at the Craft Store
- Make a list of supplies you need for your project before you go to the craft store. Then when you go to the store, stick to the list! If it’s not on the list, it shouldn’t be in your cart! This is a great way to ensure you only buy what you actually need and don’t make impulse purchases.
- Give yourself a budget beforehand. Decide what your budget for craft supplies will be each month, and stick to it to help keep from overspending and overbuying. Sometimes if you only have a general idea of what you’re making, it’s hard to put exactly what you need on your list beforehand, but if you give yourself a budget, you still have to exert self control when you go to the craft store to stay within your limit.
- Use cash at the craft store. If you give yourself a budget of $20 and head to the store with a credit or debit card, it’s not a big deal if you add something extra to your cart and go over your budget, because you can just charge the extra expenses, right? If you bring cash, though, you actually have to stick to your budget because you won’t have enough money to buy any and everything!
- Take a picture. If you find something amazing and beautiful that you MUST have, take a picture of it with your phone and then leave the store. Two weeks later, look at the picture and decide if it’s still something you really need. When you’re in the moment, it’s hard to control the urge to buy. Giving yourself some distance can help you really evaluate whether you truly need the item or not.
- Don’t touch things while you’re shopping! Did you know that you’re more likely to buy something after touching it? The connection between touch and the mind are powerful things. When you touch items, you create a connection with them and develop a sense of ownership. Why do you think they have displays with things for you to play with at stores? It’s the one-up that brick-and-mortar stores have over online stores these days. So try to keep your hands to yourself while you’re at the craft store to keep those impulse purchases under control.
- Only buy what you’ll actually use. Otherwise you’re just wasting money and adding more stuff to your craft stash that you’ll never use. Even though you’ll spend less money per item (or pound) by buying in bulk, if you’ll never use all of it, what’s the point? In the end, you’ll have spent more money than it would have cost you just to buy one or two of the item, and you’ll have to find a place to store the extra supplies on top of it all.
- Shop online. If stepping through those sliding doors at the craft store just ends poorly for your bank account, try buying your craft supplies online. That way you can see exactly what you have in your cart, how much it will cost, and you’ll be less likely to make impulse purchases since you can’t touch things beforehand.
- Give yourself a deadline. If you’re at the craft store and see something that you absolutely can’t resist, and you know there’s no way you’re leaving the craft store without it, instead of feeling guilty about your purchase, give yourself an ultimatum. Set a deadline, such as a month, to use the item for a craft, and if you haven’t made something with the item by the end of the month, return it to the store (check the store’s return policy and keep your receipt with the item so it’s easy to find).
- Keep your craft stash organized. How many times have you bought something at the craft store and later found out you already had the item at home? Decluttering your craft stash and keeping it organized will help you see what supplies you already have so you don’t waste money buying duplicates.
- Use what you already have. Instead of heading to the craft store the next time you start a project, try to make something from the supplies you already have. By getting a little creative and thinking outside the box, it’s amazing what you can come up with. You can even make things from items found in your recycling bin, which not only helps your wallet but also the environment!
I used to buy craft supplies on a whim. I’d see something in the store that I just had to have. I didn’t have a project or purpose in mind, but it was so cute or the sale was so good that I just couldn’t pass it up. Everyone has that one thing they can’t resist, and for me, it was ribbon. I don’t know why, because I really don’t even use ribbon all that often, but I ended up with a large collection of ribbon collecting dust in my craft stash.
I wasn’t even really aware it was a habit, and it took a thorough decluttering of my craft stash to realize I was even doing it! So after coming to terms with my ribbon obsession, I now make sure that the only time I buy ribbon is when I need it for a specific project. I actually try to do this with all of my craft supplies, and I’ve found it helps me save money and keep my craft stash from outgrowing its space.
It takes practice to get those impulse purchases under control! It’s a gradual process, and it’s only natural to slip up every now and then. The important thing is not to just give in and say, “Well I’ve messed up, so I’m done now.” The key is to keep trying and make an effort to do better each time you go to the store.
So tell me, what’s the hardest part of keeping your craft spending under control? Do you have one thing that is always your undoing? Let me know in the comments, and don’t forget to sign up for my newsletter below to receive a weekly dose of crafty fun right to your inbox! If you enjoyed this post, be sure to share it with your friends and family!
This is a HUGE problem in my world! Especially with little things – they add up quickly! I like your idea of only using cash and not bringing cards into the store. That would definitely help!
So true, Morgan! Those little things add up fast. Carrying cash is a great way to stick to a budget and keep those little purchases under control!
My problem is not the craft shops but the sales table at my craft groups. It’s not the money here as its a small donation but it’s so easy to pick up fabrics and books etc that someone has donated without a thought for what I’ll use it for. The upside is I donate stuff too and the money pays for trips out but I do end up with lots of of pretty but no-good-to-me items. My other problem is the craft shows as I see something demonstrated and buy it but then I’m really not sure when I get home what to do with it especially if I don’t try it immediately.
I completely understand, Angela! That sales table sounds like such a neat place to find amazing things, and it’s easy to get carried away in that sort of situation. But even though you’re not spending a bunch of money, you can still apply some of these steps when you shop there to keep from accumulating too many things. For example, try to figure out exactly what you’ll be using the item for before you buy it. If you can’t think of a use for it, it might be better to pass on the item so that your house doesn’t fill up with stuff you’ll never use. And instead of setting a monetary budget, you could limit yourself to a certain number of items you’ll bring home.
As for craft shows, I tend to stay away from gimmicky gadgets that they say you’ll be able to do all kinds of amazing things with. I’ve never had a problem creating beautiful crafts just because I didn’t have whatever the latest thing was. It just takes a little creativity, which I know we have in abundance! 😉
You forgot the number one way to avoid excessive spending at the craft store. TAKE YOUR HUSBAND WITH YOU! Works for me every time. In fact we bought a sign that says :Shopping with your husband is like hunting with a Game Warden.” LOL
Oh my gosh, Judi, you made me LOL so much! It is so true, taking your husband to the craft store is EXACTLY like hunting with the game warden. And that’s why I don’t do it, haha! Not only does it put a damper on my shopping, but my husband does not have the patience to sit there while I debate between two different paint colors for an hour, lol! I find it’s much better for our marriage and sanity if I do my craft store shopping solo.
I was going to comment and then I looked up and saw the previous comment by Judi. Hahaha!! She had me on the floor. No man wants to be in a craft store. Although I must say I went with my son last year and we ended up buying clay that eventually we turned it into a dragon egg. So not all men are allergic to the craft store. But he did say to me at one point that all the trips to Michael’s were killing his wallet. At least we know this kid takes after me.
Haha, great minds think alike, Mary! Too funny! Glad to hear your son doesn’t have quite the aversion to the craft store that most men have. You definitely raised him right!
Great tips! I always spend way too much and often it is because I go without a list and plan! It’s so tempting! Thank you for sharing at Sweet Inspiration #5! Happy Monday!
Thanks, Katrin! I find that when I shop without a list I tend to bring home random things I wasn’t planning on buying and don’t even need, so I try to always write out a list beforehand to save myself the trouble!
Hi Celeste, Great post! I didn’t know that touching an object made you more prone to buy it! I especially like to touch fabrics! Thanks for this information. Blessings, Janet
I know, Janet, isn’t that weird? It explains a lot, though. I think it’s just second nature to feel things at the craft store, especially fabrics. That’s one habit I’m working on!
I flat out started avoiding craft stores just because I found that so much money got wasted! These days I’m still trying to use up the supplies I’ve got left. But next time I go, I’ll definitely be checking back with this list!
Using the craft supplies you already have is a great way to save money, Leslie! Plus it helps keep your craft stash under control. Win-win!
Coming over You’re gonna love it.
I am known to buy duplicates. The comment trick for getting your husband along, actually works worst for me: I stress out to hurry up and shop more, because there is no time to think and pare down my purchase.
Great tips, especially the organization one. 🙂
So true! Shopping is very stressful when my husband comes along, too, haha! I’ve found keeping your craft supplies organized helps avoid duplicates.
So glad to know I’m not the only one with this problem…. I do, however, always take my three boys and while they might try to talk me into buying them a toy or a snack I have found that three kids in tow has shortened my trips considerably and helped me find the things on my list and get out!
I’d imagine three kids in tow shortens A LOT of your shopping trips, haha! That’s definitely a good way to save time and money!
Oh my goodness your ribbon obsession made me laugh out loud because I totally understand! Mine is the fabric remnants section I don’t know why, they are usual way to small for me to do much with but I love them and the ideas seem endless! Plus it means I can get beautiful fabric that I could otherwise never afford but what’s the point if you can’t make anything with it? I guess I need to stop buying them and start making cute little bows and flowers and the such.
Haha, glad to hear I’m not the only one with a weird craft obsession, Shawna! And I can totally understand how you’d get caught up in the fabric remnants section. There are so many fun, colorful fabrics for so cheap! But you’re right, sometimes it’s hard to come up with projects for those little pieces of fabric. Maybe try to stay away from the fabric remnants next time you go to the craft store unless you have a project in mind for them! 😉
My mom loves to craft and she needs to buy new supplies without spending too much money. I love your suggestion to create a budget for your crafting supplies before you go shopping in order to prevent overspending. I will help my mom find a reputable shop that sells quality supplies and is within her spending limit for this month.