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Post by graeae on Jun 1, 2019 19:02:55 GMT
Hi!
We all know that snail-mailing not only takes some time but hurts our wallets at times. But we all love it and we devote everything to it. I am an impulsive shopper, so I purchase tons whenever I have the money and I feel like it. I was wondering how much do you usually spend a month or whenever you make your purchases for your stationary stuff? Do you also find it hard to not throw everything in your shopping basket? What are some ways that you deal with this? What do you pay for the most? How much was your most expensive order or shopping for stationary?
In order to keep it under budget, what are some places that you obtain your stationary from? (stickers, paper, cut-outs, scrapbook stuff etc) I have been ordering a lot from Aliexpress but it takes awhile to get to.
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Post by although on Jun 2, 2019 12:03:14 GMT
The stores in east Tennessee just don't carry much of the stationery stuff that I'm interested in, so traditional retail shopping isn't much of a temptation for me... That being said, I spend way too much money on pens I've picked some up at estate sales for pennies, I've bought a lot on ebay for 10-20 dollars. But, I've paid over $200 each for several of them... (my most expensive pen was a used Montblanc 149 that I bought on ebay for $330) So, obviously, I don't follow a budget In comparison, the money I've spent on paper, ink, envelopes, and stamps is pretty negligible. I make most of my own envelopes, from maps and such, with a punch board. So, not much cost there. I like nice A5 size paper, but even high end stuff, like Clairefontaine, works out to something like 25 cents per page. So, that's like stamp money... Also, sometimes I can find nice old paper at estate sales for next to nothing. Nobody else is shopping for old yellowed pads of paper Ink is virtually free. I would be shocked if the most expensive inks worked out to more than a penny a page... I should be able to sell most of my pen collection for about what I've paid for it (well, a clever executor could do so after I've departed this mortal coil). So, If I consider the pens to be an investment and just consider the cost of consumables... I'm probably spending 20-30 dollars per month on paper and stamps. I'm not unhappy with that! So, my best advice for saving money would be: Make your own envelopes, and hit up the estate sales for pens and paper. Oh yeah, and don't start collecting fountain pens
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Post by graeae on Jun 4, 2019 14:03:08 GMT
Nice recommendations!!! Not planning on collecting fountain pens yet I have one and it is enough so far. Where do you get the maps and stuff?
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Post by although on Jun 4, 2019 14:17:21 GMT
I found an old world atlas from the 1960's at a flea market for one dollar. It's got hundreds of large color maps, probably enough for a few years worth of envelopes. Mostly, I use outdated aviation charts. They are required to be replaced every six months or so. (They contain lots of information, like radio frequencies and tower locations that can change periodically) I think I get 16 envelopes per chart with the punch board I only subscribe to two of them, so that creates enough map for 5 or 6 envelopes per month. They are also made out of a remarkably tough material, great envelope fodder! I've heard a rumor that, since they can't be sold after they go obsolete, some airport FBO's will give the old unsold stock away after cutting off the title legend. Not sure how such things work in Europe though...
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Post by DJW1066 on Jun 20, 2019 2:26:33 GMT
"...I should be able to sell most of my pen collection for about what I've paid for it (well, a clever executor could do so after I've departed this mortal coil). "
The old joke: I hope that when I die my wife doesn't sell my fountain pens for what I told her I paid for them.
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Post by richila on Aug 22, 2019 15:59:03 GMT
I only like writing letters on Tomoe River 52gsm paper. Since I wanted mermaid stationery, I designed my own and print it on A4 paper and cut it into A5 sheets. I buy my paper from Jet Pens or Amazon, 100 sheets at a time. I look for a price of less than $20 including shipping because the local Japanese book store has it for $25. I always have at least one unopened package of 100 sheets. I buy Mica envelopes from a shop in the UK 20 at a time when I get down to 40 envelopes. I bought a mermaid address stamp a few years ago so that my envelopes are coordinated and have mermaid washi tape.
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Post by Mia on Sept 5, 2019 9:55:25 GMT
I decided once my bank card expired, not to use the new one over on Amazon. Instead, for there, I buy gift cards to use from supermarkets (other stores also have a range of shop/amazon/google gift cards for sale). I have ordered yet another wax seal.
In the UK, there are some stores you can buy stationery cheaply, such as The Works, Wilkinsons, Home Bargains, even TK Maxx (TJ Maxx in the US?), however, they sell more letter writing sets (although 1:1 or 2:1 paper:envelope ratio). I like to visit Paperchase, but generally do not get anything.
I visit charity (thrift) shops and sometimes see snailmail supplies. My last sighting of such, I restrained myself as I have plenty!!
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Post by Rouge on Sept 7, 2019 12:10:43 GMT
I write most of my letters on rhodia A5 paper, which is about €4 for a lot of sheets. It lasts 2 months. Also, my pens are all under €2, but they write very well with Herbin inks (I have some ink stored but it costed me €15 only at all). Stamps are €1.30 for international and €1.05 or less, and I only buy about €13 every weeks or two weeks, and €10.50 every month for France-to-France stamps. I make my envelopes from origami paper now, but I could change for other paper. It's just conveniently squared so it's easier, and it is €4 every 40 sheets. It lasts 2 months too. Thought, now I am thinking about buying some nice paper this afternoon. But finally, it does take me under €20/week to penpal !
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Post by allanorn on Sept 7, 2019 17:15:31 GMT
I only like writing letters on Tomoe River 52gsm paper. Since I wanted mermaid stationery, I designed my own and print it on A4 paper and cut it into A5 sheets. I buy my paper from Jet Pens or Amazon, 100 sheets at a time. I look for a price of less than $20 including shipping because the local Japanese book store has it for $25. I always have at least one unopened package of 100 sheets. I buy Mica envelopes from a shop in the UK 20 at a time when I get down to 40 envelopes. I bought a mermaid address stamp a few years ago so that my envelopes are coordinated and have mermaid washi tape. I use Paper for Fountain Pens for Tomoe River, if you're in the USA. I bought their letter writing pads, which are such a good deal if they're in stock.
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Post by sgtstretch on Sept 24, 2019 12:56:11 GMT
I only like writing letters on Tomoe River 52gsm paper. Since I wanted mermaid stationery, I designed my own and print it on A4 paper and cut it into A5 sheets. I buy my paper from Jet Pens or Amazon, 100 sheets at a time. I look for a price of less than $20 including shipping because the local Japanese book store has it for $25. I always have at least one unopened package of 100 sheets. I buy Mica envelopes from a shop in the UK 20 at a time when I get down to 40 envelopes. I bought a mermaid address stamp a few years ago so that my envelopes are coordinated and have mermaid washi tape. I use Paper for Fountain Pens for Tomoe River, if you're in the USA. I bought their letter writing pads, which are such a good deal if they're in stock. I haven't seen the letter writing pads in stock for 2 years now. Not sure what is going on, and if they'll continue selling.
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Post by Rouge on Sept 26, 2019 16:13:02 GMT
I am not sure if it is going to work abroad, but one thing I did is I bought a lot of stamps for 12€ in the internet, which have a postage value of 20€ in total. That means a lot of «0.50€» stamps (it was the price for a 1st class letter around 2007-2008 I remember) for only 12€. I went to the Post office, and they told me that YES : they are TRUE stamps ! It needs a postage fee of 1.30€ to send letters or postcards from France to the rest of the world, so I'll just have to put a lot of "cheaper" stamps to send something. Maybe it could work in the USA with 20-y.o. stamps or less that are not beloved by professionals but that owners still want to sell ? It is good to see so many stamps in a letter, you know ?
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Post by MKB on Sept 29, 2019 4:11:45 GMT
Deals on stamps can be found in the USA. I purchased some on ebay for less than face value, but even better than the deal was the collection of stamps I received. They were mostly specific to the space program and aviation. See our Instagram image of some of the stamps. Instragram Photo
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fromhisrib
Crayons
Posts: 6
Looking for Penpals?: Yes. Global penpals welcome
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Post by fromhisrib on Jan 4, 2020 23:12:13 GMT
Deals on stamps can be found in the USA. I purchased some on ebay for less than face value, but even better than the deal was the collection of stamps I received. They were mostly specific to the space program and aviation. See our Instagram image of some of the stamps. Instragram PhotoThanks so much! I put in stamps below face value in the search on eBay and came up with some nice finds.
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Post by mrsduffy on Aug 25, 2020 15:53:20 GMT
Deals on stamps can be found in the USA. I purchased some on ebay for less than face value, but even better than the deal was the collection of stamps I received. They were mostly specific to the space program and aviation. See our Instagram image of some of the stamps. Instragram PhotoWow, what a great ebay find. I notice the Kennedy stamp is similar to the one currently offered. I'm new to purchasing stamps on ebay and you've encouraged me to keep up the search. I'm not sure if that deserves credit or blame.
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Post by vertolive on Aug 26, 2020 20:41:35 GMT
Hmmm. My expenses are pretty minimal for a pastime that delights me so much. I bought an order of 500 envelopes (which I still love) on eBay a while back for $50.00. I only use Tomoe River and stay stocked up from wherever it’s convenient.
I don’t look for deals on postage and will actually pay more for a sheet of forever stamps that appeal to me.
That said, I don’t buy stickers and own exactly one roll of washi tape.
I do make a twice-yearly order of Rubber stamps and replenish my single color stamp pad.
All that said, I doubt it averages even $25 per month, which is mostly postage.
Did NOT factor in the fountain pen collection!
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