I can't afford the kits anymore :(

[jacinda]

I was just wondering if the designers had noticed any drop in sales from overseas members? With the global recession as it is, our New Zealand dollar is roughly HALF the US dollar right now, so a new release kit for US$5.59 ends up costing me NZ$10.00. $10!! And a regular priced $6.99 kit costs me over $12. There is no way I can afford that for one single kit, so have resorted to spending money on the smaller things like alphas and the $1 sales. Even then, I only have a couple of dollars a month to spend. I know there are mini kits in the store too, but they're only marginally cheaper, and I prefer full kits. It wasn't so bad when our dollar gave us 80 US cents, but at 50 cents, it's a whole other ball game.

I half dread finding out what the new releases are each week, because I know I won't be able to afford them even with the 20% discount. I nearly cried today when I saw KCB's Cherry Sweet kit :( I'm going to save up for that one. I have been saving for Zoe's Close to my Heart, as I feel that is great value for money, and the proceeds go to a very worthy cause.

I'm not writing this to blame anyone for the prices they set, I'm just curious as to whether anyone else outside the US is in the same boat as me, and whether the designers have noticed any differences in sales this year, particularly from overseas members.

[LenaGardner]

Jacinda, I can relate! I can't afford the kits right now because it's not financially responsible of me to be hobby shopping...so I'm on a break, too! It is a bit depressing to see the new releases! Esp when they are so yummy!

I have been keeping tabs on the dollar because I think it does affect sales. I notice a lot of murmur about it and it's so unfortunate!

When I lived overseas and was young, the exchange rate was phenomenal, like 3DM to 1USD...so I couldn't take advantage of it but my parents did. When I lived overseas again and was a teenager and actually had my own money to spend, the DM dipped as low as almost 1:1 so I know how devastating the exchange rate can be! ((hugs))

[lovely1m]

I live in the US so it doesn't effect me, but I am sorry to hear its gotten so far off for you. That really sucks.

[rachaelsscraps]

I live in the US & the economy IS effecting me, as it is everyone else.... I've noticed kit prices (in almost all digi-shops out there!) going up Up UP.... I don't expect it to change, though, unfortunately.... :(

[Rae's World]

I had no idea the exchange rate was that much!!! OUCH!!! The economy has stopped my spending too. My Wish List is full and I am saving the best I can. I wish my mojo would kick back in so I could scrap more to earn more points!! I'll just keep saving!!

[schock77]

That stinks! I didn't realize the exchange was that high either. I shopped today (I was feeling sorry for myself and shouldn't have spent any money)... but I feel your pain. Hang in there! :)

[newfiemountiewife]

The exchange rate isn't great here either, but I work for a US company, and am paid in US dollars. It works great for my scrapping habit, it's dollar for dollar. LOL

[littlekiwi]

I know exactly what you are going through.

For me even though the exchange rate is the same as you Jacinda - I'm also broke because I'm waiting for my student allowance backpay (long story) of about $700. Some of that is going towards paying my mom back but part of it will be going towards my scrapping habit.

I have a decent size wishlist too and can't wait to be able to buy something soon

- Doctor Doctor by Lauren Grier & Melissa Bennett
- Painted Alpha by Fee Jardine
- Turn it over by lauren grier
- Pop Goes the World by Dani Mogstad
- Layered up in you: 3 Pack by lauren grier
- Stencil It by Fee Jardine
- Punchline Journaling Templates by Libby Weifenbach
- Paper Clips: Wavy Templates by Libby Weifenbach
- QWERTY Alpha by Traci Reed
- Date Me by Lauren Grier
- Dear Diary by Lauren Grier

[Emmy]

I sympathize! I've certainly been through times where I couldn't shop - it's tough! Try to turn it around and use what you have, maybe kaboodle what you like and then once a month choose just one kit to buy - and make sure it's one you can use over and over! Here's hoping the economy turns around!

[littlekiwi]

I'm not sure if it possible for everyone to do this but a ct I am on has asked me to create quickpages for them where I get a large proportion of the sale price through paypal. My plan is then to use what I get in paypal as my scrapping budget - i don't think it will hurt quite as much to use that because its already in US$$

[mnm_y2]

The economy situation is hitting everywhere! My DH was temporarily off from his job and thankfully is now back - but in a lower position and also lower $$ which sucks. And, since things aren't fully where they should be his hours are down as well. So that makes spending hard.

I'm working hard on the challenges which gets me scrapping and using what I have - more than once in many cases and then hopefully at the end of the month with the 40% discount, I am getting 2-3 kits. soooo my wishlist is growing weekly LOL

[AmyM]

Wow. I had no idea the exchange rate was that bad. I think most of us are feeling it in one way or another. Guess this gives us good reason to use what we have and get to work on those challenges! At least we've got an opportunity to get a discount. Most stores don't offer that.

[rachaelsscraps]

Wow. I had no idea the exchange rate was that bad. I think most of us are feeling it in one way or another. Guess this gives us good reason to use what we have and get to work on those challenges! At least we've got an opportunity to get a discount. Most stores don't offer that.

I know! How awesome is the 40% off?! :)

[iJenny]

I agree about the 40% off. Thats a huge amount compared to what a lot of other stores offer. Plus, there's great stuff in the Penny Candy section as well.
As for the economy, I don't think there are very many people (US or not) that it ISN'T affecting.

One thing you could try is to participate in the designer's blog challenges. There are lots of giveaways and contests where you could win a GC to their store. Worth a shot, right?

Good luck. Its tough on all of us.

[Leah]

I think it works out to be about $7-8 for a kit, after the CDN exchange.
I liked it better when we were paying close to par...but I still shop. LOL
I'm addicted....

[jacinda]

Try to turn it around and use what you have, maybe kaboodle what you like and then once a month choose just one kit to buy - and make sure it's one you can use over and over!

Yeah, I've definitely found myself using my current stash a lot more now. One new kit a month is about my limit now, and you can bet I'm being super picky with that choice :p Being on a couple of CT's is super helpful too.

[Nonna2Dreja]

I, too, can sympathize with those overseas and here in the US....My husband was laid off a month ago and is waiting to be called back to his job....We were told his layoff would only be a couple of weeks initially....I am trying really hard to be motivated to do all the Challenges that I can in order to take advantage of the fabulous 40% discount offered here for completing the Challenges....This month, I'm feeling it hard to because I am back working more hours than I had been in the previous two months so I'm tired....

I am thankful for the discounts offered here and for the fabulous kits and find myself using them more than once....I mean, what a shame to only use them once anyhow....They are so chock full of fabulous papers and elements! I've been abit sad because I haven't shopped the last two weeks....Not because I didn't want to, but I have to think do I want to keep a roof over our heads, food in our stomachs, etc. OR do I want to Scrap....So like alot of you, my Wish List is growing and growing....LOL

[inskidahv]

I'm working hard on the challenges which gets me scrapping and using what I have - more than once in many cases and then hopefully at the end of the month with the 40% discount, I am getting 2-3 kits. soooo my wishlist is growing weekly LOL

I am with you on this!! I usually splurge on scrapping supplies... But thesedays, i only go for knee deep discounts and dollar sales since that's the only ones i can afford, and even then i can only shop once or twice a month. Such small, small amount. But i guess it's a blessing in disguise since i managed to use up a load of my stashes and keep up with all of my CTs more.

Here a lunch (a generous one!) costs around $1, so buying a $5-$7 kit is not justifiable for me at the moment...

[alien21xx]

I agree. A couple of months back, I bought nearly everything that would come out new every week. Now, I just kind of stopped and bought like 1 or 2 kits, and then not every week. :( I've also stopped shopping at most of the other places I used to frequent so I could by my favorites from SSD.

[bellbird425]

good question - i'd be interested to know too - not specifics but if there has been a trend and has this been the motivation behind the recent release of mini kits

yeah i'll admit with the australian exchange rate in a similarly depressing slump to the $NZ (it's about $1AUD = 60 or 65c US i think or atleast thats what paypal converted it at for me the other day), i personally spend less here (i hope it's ok to say that - i still consider this my home and own a lot of SSD products already but i'm def not shopping here as frequently now) and hit dollar sales at other stores mostly (and stores based outside the US actually that seem to have a better exchange rate) and have been 'rediscovering' my unused stash and participating in designer blog contests more (i won one on La's blog recently!), as with my baby & sleep taking up so much of my scrapping time now, i really can't scrap to the 40% off level atm. I salivate at what i see in the newsletter too and get a bit sad and occassionally splurge on my credit card and then feel the guilt bigtime when i see it converted to $AUD

[AnnieBananie]

I feel for you and I'm in the US. I keep saying I'm going to buy all sorts of kits and never do because like Lena's situation... it's not financially responsible for me to spend money on hobby junk. It sucks!

[suze]

I feel too... and I'm in the US. I'm trying my best to get all 27 points this month so I can buy at the end of the month. there are so many things I want... especially those templates from La that came out last Saturday!

[Dottie]

I have to say with the exchange rate the way it is at the moment, my days of buying what I want whenever I want are over for now. I'm cautious on what I purchase now, where as before if I like something I just bought it.

[arenee]

I am feeling the pinch as well......Both my husband and I have ok jobs but with stress of the economy, we are cutting down on all fronts. I have a hard time justify spending money on scrap supplies when I have over 190GB of supplies on my hard drive-that does include photos and completed unflattened pages.
I have to watch what I download so I dont run out of storage space.
Between work and keeping my family running, I dont have time to do all the challenges. So I am putting everything that I want on my wish list. I do love that feature that is offered now. I am waiting for sale or the time that I can do a month of challenges......