I've been thinking about how product-driven the stamping world is. If you tried to keep up with every trend you'd never catch your breath. You might not see a lot of new stamp images on my cards, but that's because I can't afford to keep buying new stamps. It's not that we don't technically have the money. It's that my stamping budget goes in the red way too quickly and I have to be content with what I have until I can purchase without guilt again.
I worry about the stampers who always have something new. I know many of them are given stamps to demo for the smaller stamp companies, but it seems that there has got to be some financial pain being felt by those who aren't demoing but who are trying to keep up with the latest and coolest stuff. If my budget is any indication of it I think it would be a dangerous thing to look into the average stamper's finances to see how much she is hurting her family's budget.
So I keep pulling out the same stamps I've had for years and enjoy the occasional purchase of new stamps. And I drool like everybody else over the never-ending parade of new stamps coming out, but tell myself that I will have to be content with what I have.
Is this hurting economy causing you to hold back on buying more stuff, or are you tuning out the screams coming from that sagging budget?
Kim, I love the fact that you've addressed this issue. Our family has been hit extremely hard by these economic times, forcing me to go to work outside the home full-time, etc. Of course, I am not spending near what I normally do on stamping supplies. In a way, that's been a blessing to help me stretch my creativity. I admire a stamping artist that can create with the same images over and over again with a new look each time. My tight budget is forcing me to be happy with what I have and challenging my creativity. Thank God I have stamping in my life to ease the stresses of these economic times!
ReplyDeleteHugs~
Nancy
Thanks so much for your comment, ((Nancy)). I'm so sorry your family is being impacted by the economy right now. Thank God you are able to be a help to your family's income!
ReplyDeleteI find that I am most creative when I am restricted. Funny, isn't it? I think maybe it's because I am then forced to really look at what I already have (and there's pu-lenty! lol). We really are blessed more than we know.
Well, don't tell anyone but I enter a lot of contests....I've won $65.00 worth of stamps in the past month!
ReplyDeleteKim, funny you should mention this. I just decided that I have gone crazy with the buying (since introduced to SU, 4 years ago), and never spend any time enjoying the supplies I already have. Just yesterday, I made January my cutoff for purchases (I'm in a stamp club until then). It is so easy to get carried away with all the pretties. 8:) Hopefully, after that, I'll take the time to be as creative as you are. Your cards are gorgeous!!
ReplyDeleteHilva
Call me nuts, but I had started challenging myself to be as frugal as I could without living like a pauper a couple of years ago. Not out of need, out of not wanting to nickle and dime my budget to death, but instead enjoy a large something or other in place of little inconsequential purchases that never were fulfilling, but actually left me wanting something else, something more. Hummm.. how is that for a whopper of a run on sentence? Anyway, now that I would really want to crunch numbers several times before I let go of the cash, I am in a groove sort of. And I totally agree, the restrictions bring out the creativity. Years ago I HAD to watch every penny because I had so few. I think I learned resourceful and creative then, or maybe it just forced me to find those things within.
ReplyDeleteAnswer to your question, I guess the economy is not affecting me as it would have if I hadn't already put a self induced spending moratorium.
Great blogging point!
I so appreciate this post! I have been feeling the same thoughts...I have so much that I still haven't used. I love your blog because it uses some wonderful older favorites, and you inspire me by sharing your beautiful creations...and, more importantly, sharing thoughts like these! Thanks -- I needed that! Continued blessings, and keep encouraging us all!
ReplyDeleteHi Kim!
ReplyDeleteFirst of all I want to tell you how much I like your blog. I like the fact that you use what you have instead of always running out to buy the latest and greatest. I mean really how many flower stamps does one person need? I admire your honesty.