Monday, May 25, 2015

Stitch from Stash May Update

Month: May
Spent: $0.00
Earn: $0.00

It's time for another Stitch from Stash update, check out Mel's Blog for details. This month I managed a zero spend on cross stitch supplies, which I am very pleased with. However I must admit that my personal budget did implode this month.

Here is some of what I finished up this month:

Floral Cross Stitch Finish, Flat Pin Keep Ornament
Floral Cross Stitch Ornament - Bright Blooms - The World of Cross Stitching 179
Somebunny to Love cross stitch project finish. DMC free somebunny
Somebunny to Love Finish - DMC Creative - Free Somebunny to Love Chart.
As some of you know I have been trying different techniques to attempt to get a better handle on my personal budget and to stop accumulating large amounts of "stuff". So far I have made a number of changes which have helped me to save more and created a less stressful financial environment for myself.

My plan was to keep my unnecessary purchases as low as possible for the year. This month I did make a big purchase that I hadn't intended to make. I decided to invest in a tablet PC. While it was a large expense I approached the purchase using some of my new budget skills. I decided on a maximum spend I was willing to make, then I did lots of research and found the best tablet with the features I wanted within that price.

I am so glad that I spent the time doing the research and am extremely happy with my choice. This does mean that I need to make a huge effort not to make any more unnecessary purchases for the rest of the year.

I have also decided that I will not be joining the SFS group for the second half of the year. I feel I have managed to get my craft spending under a certain amount of control and as the spaces are limited, I will leave it for someone else to take my place.

23 comments:

  1. Beautiful stitching! I'm enjoying following along on your budgeting journey. It sounds like you made an informed decision on something you will use a lot. Good luck on keeping expenses down the rest of the year!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Congrats on the zero spend month and the budgeting successes! It always hard to make changes like those and you sound like you are happy with where things are headed.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Beautiful finishes! Congrats on the zero spend. Enjoy your new tablet.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Congrats on your finishes! The ornament is so cute :) and somebunny ooooohhhhh adorable =)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Congrats on the finishes! They look amazing. AND congrats on the no-spending this month! :D

    ReplyDelete
  6. Both finishes are adorable!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Congrats on the cute finishes.

    Linda

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much Linda. I'm really happy with both these and have another of the small florals to show you all soon.

      Delete
  8. Congrats on the cute finishes:)

    ReplyDelete
  9. Pretty little flowers and the Bunny is adorable! I too am leaving SFS so that's TWO openings :D do you think you will still stop yourself before spending and consider the "budget"?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for your comment. I am really hoping that I will be able to stick to no spending even without the accountability of SFS. Since the start of this year I have been making a big effort to cut all my hobby spending and have done a reasonable job so I should be able to continue even without SFS.

      Delete
  10. Love the little flowers; that's an interesting use of the backstitching in that pattern. Congrats on your zero spend and welcome to the club of Research Your Purchases! Good on you~ :D I read reviews for everything, hence why it takes me so long to make a decision.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Congrats on a no spend month! I am a budgeting fiend and total research freak so completely understand!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Such cute stitching and finishes :)

    ReplyDelete
  13. Very cute finishes. Congratulations on your new tablet and the zero spend on stash. I too am thinking of bowing out of SFS for the next round as it has really helped me with all aspects of spending.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much for your comment. It sounds like a few people won't be continuing with the second half of the year. I have really enjoyed it but I think it has served its purpose in helping me cut my stash spending.

      Delete
  14. I agree, cute stitching. And well done on your no purchases. I bought a cross stitch magazine yesterday, which was a bit naughty of me. No other cross stitch supplies bought in May though!
    Caz xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much for your comment. I am hoping I can keep up with the budget even when I'm not in the group.

      Delete
  15. Well done on your SFS! I just love your floral cushion. Bunny is adorable!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much for your comment. The pin cushion has different fabric on the top and button so it look quite different depending on which side is facing up.

      Delete
  16. so so cute, beautiful finishes

    ReplyDelete
  17. You are doing so well! I have to say that I couldn't manage without my tablet now, even though I thought I would never use it when hubby bought it for me! It helps to keep me organised and is just so useful!

    ReplyDelete

Would love to read any comments you would like to leave. Thanks for brightening my day :)