I have a hard time walking into a scrap or craft store and leaving with only the specific item I went in for. I always have every intention of staying on task and buying only the blue buttons I need. I am walking down the isle, and the greatest new pop up stickers call to me. I just get two packages, turn around and spot a great new punch, and it's 25% off! I put that in my other hand, because I didn't get a basket. Hmmmmm, what did I come in here for? Oh yes, the buttons. Pretty soon, your budget is stretching and busting at the seams, and your wonderful scrapping hobby is turning into an expensive past time.

How can you cut some of the corners and still have great pages? Here are some tips:

• Keep your running list. This is such a great tool for many reasons. You can always keep your eyes open for the quality paper at the best rates. If you find a gold mine, write it down! Also scan the ads that come in the mail for the local craft stores. I have two stores in my area that send out ads all the time with 40% off coupons. If you have a large item you would like to purchase, such as a paper trimmer or a embossing heat tool, use that for a great discount. Also take a look around your home for items that you can use. I made a great page with my kids painting their rooms with the leftover paint sample cards I brought home from the store. There were colorful, bright, and FREE. I used a great ribbon that came from a gift my son got on a page. Don't let anything go to waste. You can buy big packages of brads inexpensively at a discount store and dip them in a color of ink that matches what you are doing and emboss them with a bit of clear embossing powder over the top. Add a bit of heat, and there you have a custom colored brad.
• Your scanner is your friend. You can scan patterned material to use as the paper for your project. How about scanning the material from your prom dress to use as the accent paper when you scrap the special event? You have an exact match and a special touch. You can also look online for free fonts, and fun pictures to copy for accents on pages.
• Check the sale bins at your favorite stores. It's amazing what you can find. Many of the stores put their end of season items on for great prices. I get many of my winter stickers and embellishments when others are thinking of spring. When I pull them out the next winter, they are fresh and fun. A word of caution though, only buy what you know you will use. You can waste a lot of money buying items that you will not use.
• Save your scraps and organize them so you can find and use them. I like to take some of the scraps, and punch them to have on hand to add a touch here and there on my pages. Another trick is to cut triangles and fold into photo corners. Trim the white paper or vellum out of the center of the metal-rimmed tags and use a colorful scrap to replace it for a splash on a page and a different effect. Organize your scraps by color and put them in small containers so you can see what you have. You can cut bits of patterned papers into flowers, or punch circles and combine them on one page for a fun effect. You can also give the scraps to your children and challenge them to make fun cards with them. It's amazing to see the neat ideas they come up with.
• Check out discount sites online. There are magazines you can subscribe to at discounted rates, and you will not be paying the grocery store shelf price. Try looking on Overstock.com to get idea books. They have good deals, and their shipping is usually a bit less.
• Use templates for alphabets, or stamps instead of alphabet stickers. This way you will have cute lettering at a fraction of the price. You can also write on your pages yourself and use cute stitches or bubbles on your letters for a fun, inexpensive look.

Have fun and be creative. Stay organized so you don't buy duplicates. Always be on the look out for good deals on you must haves. Staying within your budget will make your experience a great one.