Stamper/Collector/Friend/Dreamer?

What kind of buyer are you?  

The Stamper buys to stamp.  She buys what she likes. She uses what she buys.  At least most of it.

The Collector buys to shop.  She loves the thrill of pushing "spend", shrieks when the box comes, but most of her stuff piles up unused.  Why buy one ink when the company sells 50 colors?  She buys sets and lots of them.  And individual stamps.  She buys it all.

The Friend buys what her online community likes.  She likes actively participating in a forum and gets swept up in the excitement and particularly likes to be the "first" to get a product.  She also buys based on the popularity of the owner of a company.  She enjoys being part of the online community and it will often be the first and last place she goes on line every day.  Or she buys from her Stampin Up or other demo because the demo is her friend.  She likes most of what she buys but she sometimes get things she doesn't like all that much just because she likes to belong.

The Dreamer buys based on the fantasy that she will make what she sees others make.  The card, the scrapbook page, the mini book all look fabulous and she buys hoping to make something similar.

The MoneyGirl   Tries to avoid shipping fees and likes sales.  Prefers used sets and is often shocked at how much other people buy.  Doesn't necessarily spend less than others, but likes to think she spends money wisely.

If you are like me, you are ALL OF THE ABOVE at least some of the time. 

The trick is to figure out what is motivating us before we spend our money.  Some of you have a lot of money for crafting; others are going into debt to feed the passion; others are in between.

This isn't about the amount of money we spend; it is about being happy with our purchases.

Task:  1.  Look over your last 3 purchases and identify what type of stamper you were when you made the purchase.  See any trends?
           2.  Look at those last 3 purchases?  Have you used them?  Are YOU happy with what you bought?  Would you buy them again?

Here's how my analysis went:  Last 3 purchases:

1.  Michaels, wandered around the store with a 40% off coupon.  I was on the hunt to buy something, anything.  Almost like circling a bag of Oreos.  Had to have.  Bought a set of embossing folders.  Saved $6  I am being both the the MoneyGirl and the Collector here.  I don't particulalry like one of the embossing folders and haven't used the other 2.  While I saved $6, I spent money just to spend.

2.  Stampin Up order -- wanted to get something from the new catalog.  Purchased from a neighbor to help her out.  Spent $42 on stamps.  Plus shipping and tax.  I really like the stamps and have used them.  Here, I'm the Friend and the Stamper.

3.  Waltzingmouse Order -- really wanted that Country French set.  Ordered enough for free shipping even though I only wanted that one set.  I've used the Country French set a LOT.  Love it.  Haven't used the other stuff yet, but I will.  Used Country French in a blog hop.
Here I'm the Stamper, the MoneyGirl, the Dreamer and a bit of the Friend.  Whew.

Share your thoughts. Feel free to play along anonymously.

There's a point to all of this.  Next Saturday -- we'll discuss this a bit more, including ways to get closer to being a Stamper.  A Smart Stamper.  Thanks for visiting.

Stamp Smart Not Stupid

You got a card; went to a stamp party; saw a catalogue. 

However you started, you started small.  A few stamps, some ink, some paper -- it all fit in a drawer, then a tower of drawers, a few rolling Iris carts, a corner of the dining room.  Now you've taken over the basement or moved the kids into the same bedroom so you have space for your stash. 

You are on a design team "to save money."  
You scour the stamp store to get enough for "free shipping." 
You spend thousands on stamp stuff, but more hours online than stamping. 
You don't send Christmas cards because it is too much work. 
You haven't inked up the last 3 orders.   

Most of the time you are happy with stamping but every once in a while you know it is out of control.  You are out of control and wonder what the hell happened. 

Here's what happened -- we got hooked and started stamping stupid instead of smart.

Let's get out of this mess and enjoy stamping again.  Stay tuned.  Every Saturday new post on how to Stamp Start Not Stupid.