How many cuties set a budget for the month on embroidery goodies and stick to it. Or do you just buy if you want or need it? I know I way overspent in March and am now working on my April list.

No I don't set a budget however I don't buy many embroidery designs these days as I have many bought in the past and not used!

just over spent on mine and did not even get what I needed :( but great idea.

I don't have a set budget, but I do sometimes over spend. I love to shop. Don't we all. Hugs Yvonne

I just bought as I wanted or needed not really paying attention until one day my husband showed me the Credit Card bill. All those little purchases I had made added up to big bucks. I love fabric and I have a stash that would put a new store into business. I have more designs than I can ever sew. My husband said he didn't mind me spending if I needed it. He asked me to keep a small notebook of every purchase for a month. It was an eye opener. Writing it down made me slow down. Now in a month's time I only fill up 1/2 the page that works as my budget. He gave me the nicest compliment when the next month's bill came in. Made me feel good too. I was now in control...

Being alone and on a single pension I have to watch what I spend, but I sometimes buy myself something to brighten my day.

I always over spend. My husband says if you need it get it. Do you need it now? And I say yes. Okay we are going now. And he takes me to Joann's. He asked this weekend "Why do you always give everything you make to other people?". Well I said it makes me feel good ans sooner or later I will make something for me. He has been asking me to find him a Fender Stratocaster design. And he wants this on a jacket for him. He makes me feel like a queen. And I love him so much.

2 comments

by bevintex 02 Apr 2012

http://www.embroiderydesigns.com/...











there is a fender stratocaster at embroiderydesigns.com

by wp1012 02 Apr 2012

Oh!!! I have not looked there. Boy ! he will get quite a surprise. I will be a brighter spot in his day. With Hugs Peg.

I work 40 to 50 hrs. a week. So pooped on weekends. I buy when getting low. Just bought 50 yds of 12 inch wide, stabilizer. ( med. wt. tearaway- washable) That will last awhile. also bought 15 yds of iron on interfacing with Joanns coupon. Usually have everything I need by Sept. and that gets me through the winter months. We live in the Ozarks and some times we do not move for days at a time. Ha. Grannieannie

LOL I pretty much buy as I have money. I sell something I buy something , thread, stabilizer whatever./Lillian

As my sister says: Need has nothing to do with it.

Maureen

I don't have a set budget and I try to buy when things are on sale. I like to keep the staples on hand (stablizer, etc.) and we are planning to do a big craft show in December so need to be getting the fabrics, designs (new things) etc. so I can get to work to be ready. My dealer had a big fabric sale over the weekend - they had some cute things at $1.50 a yard and 3.50 a yard so could not just "skip" that deal!

I buy when I want or need it. Hubby always says "if you want it, get it". And so, as the good wife that I am, I do obey. Hehehe. Hugs..Carol

I use my spendings as a cheer up or a well done for my self. It is amazing how many times I have to cheer myself up or find a reason to say well done to myself!

I only go occasionally Maybe once every 3mths usuall looking for backing fabric. ( I have lots for the blocks)
Hubby drives me cos the fabric shop is 25kl away.
I have him on standby to fork out for the excess if I am short of cash. LOL..
Happy stitching and shopping!

I have a budget but seldom keep to it - just too many sales and promotional offers.

I buy my supplies when I need them. I buy designs when I really need something special. I also have more designs than I could use in several lifetimes - that is why I rarely DL freebies any more. Great question. Sarah.

Budget? What is a Budget?

2 comments

by ansalu 02 Apr 2012

;o)

by cfidl 02 Apr 2012

For you it is a business expense! You don't count!

No! I buy what I want when I go shopping and see it but I don't make special shopping trips just to look and buy. Some months I spend way to much and some months I hardly spend anything. What is a budget???

1 comment

by hightechgrammy 01 Apr 2012

I like that - What is a budget?

Bev, I'm bad. My memberships are for special days: Christmas, birthday, Mother's Day, etc. But, I have to say I reward myself with designs and fabric. I call them my mental health plan. They must be cheaper than therapy! They are my tools. I figure my jobs are pretty demanding, and my hobby keeps me balanced - whatever that is - Ha! My jobs drain me and collecting designs, finding new fabrics, surprising others and making them feel special all help fill me up. So, I think I probably spend about $100 a month on myself a month! But.... I don't go out with the girls, go to movies, go bowling, or have any other expensive hobbies, or expensive habits. So, I justify it that way. "If Momma ain't happy, ain't nobody happy." sounds good to me! I AM spoiled, aren't I?

Can't talk about it! Do not want to think about it! Gonna stop collecting! I will keep telling myself this until I believe it! LLDS!

1 comment

by terriweistra 02 Apr 2012

Ha, ha. That would have been my answer too :)

I always buy more than I should. I have more designs than I could sew out in 10 of my life times and I still buy. I do try to think about it for a day or two before I actually purchase. Sometimes I forget about the sale and sometimes I just say no. I recently went to a local sewing store to get a walking foot for a second machine and walked out with a ton of stuff. They had a big clearance sale with some stuff 95% off. I actually bought stabilizers 75 - 95% off. Wooly nylon serger thread at .60 a cone. I only bought a couple of those as I had sooo many already. I bought embroidery needles & twin needles at .40 a pkg. I still spent $35 on sale items at those cheap prices.

1 comment

by hightechgrammy 01 Apr 2012

Just reading about your sale made me drool! It's a problem I have :-)

budget not really just buy when i need to, and when i decide i need a treat....

1 comment

by caroldann 02 Apr 2012

Yes, treat yourself often! Hugs..Carol

I try to keep an eye on prices of things I want or need to restock. If I find a good buy I get it because I will have to pay more later if I run out. With designs I watch for a good sale especially 50% or more off then I get the ones I want.Some have rare sales or only 40% off so I watch and wait. One digitizer had a 40% off sale lately but the prices were way out of line for my taste. I really liked the designs but too darn expensive. I usually buy what I want but unless the price comes down I can do without. I buy a few of the expensive well known names but I keep going back to look at them to see if I still really like them enough to pay that much. Sometimes I pass on them unless I really, really like them after looking at them for months or even longer sometimes.

1 comment

by bevintex 01 Apr 2012

I have some designs I watch but they never seem to go on sale and I refuse to pay the full price. But I still check from time to time.

I can budget pretty well but lose it when it comes to designs, that is my downfall, have more than I can use in this lifetime, but continue to purchase more

I think this must be the most expensive hobby ever,and I have had quite a few. My last was machine knitting, I don't have a budget but maybe I should

2 comments

by bevintex 01 Apr 2012

Keeping up with supplies can get kind of expensive. I try to buy before I'm completely out of something and find the best prices on line.

by bevintex 01 Apr 2012

I did ceramics for quite a while and that is another expensive hobby. But if it makes us happy why not.
Bev

I buy thread, stablizer, etc. when I need it or if there is a really good sale.

I set a budget for new designs and don't go over that.....some times I don't buy for a while then have more to spend if there is a really nice set that is more expensive.
MJDG

2 comments

by bevintex 01 Apr 2012

Everyone seems to have a sale all at the same time.

by mjdg 02 Apr 2012

If I already have enough I ignore the sales..... Same with coupons.... If it is something I don't use I give the coupons away.

I never knew how expensive this hobby would be. I try to always have the basics in stock and replace when they are running low. I always ask for gift vouchers to my local patchwork shop for birthdays, etc, so I can buy any extras. xx

can we ever have enough?

2 comments

by bevintex 01 Apr 2012

there is always just one more thing.

by hightechgrammy 01 Apr 2012

and one more thing after that!

What is a budget?????? Well..... it is really hard to stick to it if I find a really good deal. Thanks

I buy my supplies as I need them, stabizer, thread, needles, bobbins, etc. The designs are always on my lists as wants. I do not buy every week but I buy some every month. Fabric is usually on a need basis. Hugs, Mary

If I've earned any money that month from embroidery, then I will buy if I really love it. I try not to spend a lot.

I try not to budget so that I cant break it My girls just say are you being naughty again?

1 comment

by bevintex 01 Apr 2012

My son always says"Now what did you buy"?
My answer? Stuff.Gotta have stuff if you want to make something. lol
Bev

difficult but good questions, as I know we spend more, sometimes than we can afford..***