You're not alone: millions of others out there are feeling their thin wallets and cutting back on luxury spending. So how do you get the most bang from your scrapbooking buck?
1) Buy at the Scrapbook Expo. In Salt Lake, that means the Scrapbook USA Expo,
held every spring and fall at the South Towne Expo Center. Scrapbook companies from all over come to sell their clearance items direct to you, skipping the middle man and saving you a ton of money. I try to keep from buying patterned paper and embellishments until the expo, at which I stock up on fresh inspiration(ie, new products) to last me until the next one six months later. Shop carefully, though, as not everything there is a good deal.
2) Hit the warehouse sales. Utah is the mecca for scrapbooking warehouse sales -- direct-to-the-public sales events held by manufacturers, often offering even better deals than the expo. Get signed up for email lists from the manufacturers based here in the Wasatch Front so that you'll be notified when they hold warehouse sales. (See this article about an upcoming March 2009 DCWV sale.)
3) Don't forget your coupons. Roberts, Michaels, JoAnn, and Hobby Lobby run newspaper ads almost every weekend. 
Typically they include a 40- or 50-percent off coupon good for one regular-priced item, in addition to their weekly sales. You can also check their websites or sign up for their email lists in order to get printable coupons. Never pay full price again! An extra tip: you don't need to bring in your coupon to Roberts -- just mention to the check-out person that you'd like them to give you the coupon price on an item. They have the coupon right there at the register and will scan it for you.
4) DIY embellishments. When shopping, look carefully at products to see how they were made. If you think, "I could do that," -- do it! Use dimensional adhesive to get a layered Jolee's look. Buy felt and use the die cuts at Roberts to make your own felt flowers or other shapes. Take apart silk flowers (bought discounted at a craft store or, better, a thrift store) instead of buying Prima. Print your own transparencies, using free clip art or digital scrapbook elements. "Upcycle" tags and other packaging from your purchases -- not just scrapbook-related, either!
5) Sell unwanted items from your stash. You might not be using a tool anymore, or maybe you have some patterned paper that leaves you thinking, "What was I thinking?" Remember that one woman's trash is another woman's treasure. List your stuff on ebay or craigslist. You can give your items a good home and get some cash in the bargain.
Bonus tip: For more ideas on saving money, you can take the class Scrappin' on a Shoestring at Big 
Picture Scrapbooking. You can even take advantage of this deal: save $10 when you take both Scrappin' on a Shoestring and Telling Stories Deeply.
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