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 Posted: Thu Aug 31, 2006 11:23 pm
I have been buying too much cosplay stuff lately. Like fabrics, wigs and stuff. Now I don't have the dough to go to C.N. Anime like I wanted to (which isn't too too bad, because none of my good friends can go anyways.) I just want to know how to stop. Or at least figure out cheaper ways to do cosplay...without compromising on the quality.
Any ideas?
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Posted: Thu Aug 31, 2006 11:25 pm
Well if you need to save moneys Xo then I suggest getting a pickle jar and cutting a hole in the top. Making sure it is closed tight and just throw your cash in there you need to save Xo
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Posted: Thu Aug 31, 2006 11:30 pm
Pickle Jar... Yeah... I guess sometimes I miss the simplest things sad
But yeah... now that I have a debit card... it's like so easy to spend money any time I see something that might be good for a cosplay.
Maybe I need AA or something xd
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Posted: Thu Aug 31, 2006 11:33 pm
I guess I could make out a budget for each costume I do... kind of like on Debbie Travis xd
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Posted: Thu Aug 31, 2006 11:38 pm
How about splitting up your money? Choose one place for your convention money and another place for your cosplay money. Or if the convention you want to go to offers pre-registration, pre-register once you get the money, then you can spend your money on cosplaying.
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Posted: Fri Sep 01, 2006 8:55 am
I also have a problem on spending alot of money on cosplays. Especially in Joann fabrics. The most one time I spent in a Joanns was around $300. It was mostly cosplay stuff, but also other fabric for plushies. But I always seem to spend over $50 or more in Joanns. And when I commission a project, it ususually ends up being over $100 easily. I just wish cosplay wasn't so addicting, or else I wouldn't be broke. ^^;
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Posted: Sat Sep 02, 2006 2:53 pm
My mum keeps telling me I need to learn how to draw up a budget. But it's just so hard when I get to the fabric store and I see things I like.
Maybe it is just a matter of learning some self-control.
I've thought of a few other ideas, because we all know self control is fallible:
1. Pickle Jar, for change. It comes in handy at the actual con, for buying stuff.
2. Making a Budget for each cosplay, and be realistic about it...add in about 50 dollars as a cushion.
3. If I go in a store and see something I like, write down what it was, the price, and the name of the store. Ask them if the item is always in stock, or if they expect to have more in the future, so that I can go away and think about it.
4. Keep a list of Cosplay ideas, and put these items I find in stores on the list for specific cosplays. This will make me feel like the cosplay is not just a random idea, but something I could actually do, once I save up the money.
5. Make a Budget for the con... take out the amount I want to spend, in cash, and put it in the pickle jar. If necessary, give it to my mum to give back to me before I go =(
6. Try to save a bit off every paycheque for cosplay related things!
I think that's it... if anyone has something else to add, feel free...
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Posted: Sun Sep 03, 2006 7:55 am
hardcore_cosplayer My mum keeps telling me I need to learn how to draw up a budget. But it's just so hard when I get to the fabric store and I see things I like. Maybe it is just a matter of learning some self-control. I've thought of a few other ideas, because we all know self control is fallible: 1. Pickle Jar, for change. It comes in handy at the actual con, for buying stuff. 2. Making a Budget for each cosplay, and be realistic about it...add in about 50 dollars as a cushion. 3. If I go in a store and see something I like, write down what it was, the price, and the name of the store. Ask them if the item is always in stock, or if they expect to have more in the future, so that I can go away and think about it. 4. Keep a list of Cosplay ideas, and put these items I find in stores on the list for specific cosplays. This will make me feel like the cosplay is not just a random idea, but something I could actually do, once I save up the money. 5. Make a Budget for the con... take out the amount I want to spend, in cash, and put it in the pickle jar. If necessary, give it to my mum to give back to me before I go =( 6. Try to save a bit off every paycheque for cosplay related things! I think that's it... if anyone has something else to add, feel free... That is actually very helpful. I try to stick to a budget at cons. I generally don't buy a whole lot in the dealer's room, so that's why I tend to spend more money on cosplays or my dollfie stuff. But right now my key goal is getting out of debt. It's hard. Trust me, never get more then two credit cards when your between 18-25. I'm 22, and I have two credit cards. One has over 2000 on it another has ober 600. Never, ever be like me. I'm hurting as it is and now I wish I had a better job that could help pay this off, but I don't.
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Posted: Sun Sep 03, 2006 3:21 pm
never put more in your checking account than you can afford to spend. If you don't want to spend it, put it in your savings.
A lot of it has to do with impulse control, budgeting and saving. If you can avoid it, don't get a credit card or only keep one and see if you can keep it at a low spending limit. I will not have more than oen credit card, I refuse to.
Good luck
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Posted: Tue Sep 05, 2006 8:48 am
nothing is wrong with credit as long as you use it right. Never put more on credit then what you have. It's okay to owe money on one but never owe more then you can haddle.
Right now i have about $200 in my checking and a little over 100 in credit. If i had to pay off all my bills at once i could but if i pay only half i could save more.
it's all about tihnking ahead.
i guess this didn't have much to do with cosplay but lol i hope it helped someone
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Posted: Tue Sep 05, 2006 10:18 am
To go along with #3 on hardcore_cosplayers list, if that fabric is usually/always in stock, wait for either a really good sale or coupons. I know Jo-Ann's has a mailing list and they constantly send out 40% off coupons. If I need two cuts of fabric, I print off one coupon to use that day and another to go back the next day so I can get the discount on both cuts. Or get someone to go with you to use the other and just repay them after. It saves a bundle in the end.
Also, never underestimate the thrift store. I needed to make a small shirt for one of my sis' costumes and it just so happened that there was a really nice prom dress on sale 50% off of the thrift store's original price. I was able to cut up the skirt and use the fabric to make the shirt. It was really nice material and a lot cheaper than if I had just gone and bought a few yards of material - that and it made the construction of the skirt that went with the top a piece of cake. ^_^;;
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Posted: Tue Sep 12, 2006 3:58 am
GwydionAE Also, never underestimate the thrift store. I needed to make a small shirt for one of my sis' costumes and it just so happened that there was a really nice prom dress on sale 50% off of the thrift store's original price. I was able to cut up the skirt and use the fabric to make the shirt. It was really nice material and a lot cheaper than if I had just gone and bought a few yards of material - that and it made the construction of the skirt that went with the top a piece of cake. ^_^;; I couldn't agree more. I like finding vintage stuff and modifying it for cosplay purposes. It really does help save on money, plus sometimes you find cool vintage things that you can wear (as like everyday clothes ^^)!
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Posted: Thu Sep 14, 2006 6:57 pm
My friend has the same problem with spending. She sees something that she likes and has to buy it right then and there. I suggest you give some of your money (or your credit card) to a trusted friend when you go shopping. Tell them what you plan on buying ahead of time so that they can stop you from buying random things. Your friend should be able to reason you out of spending/ spending too much.
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Posted: Fri Sep 15, 2006 4:00 pm
Lol fortunately I haven't even gone over $50 with one of my costumes yet (I only have a handful anyway, so go figure lol). I agree with all the tips from the others, but I actually usually concentrate on a couple set costumes, although I do have a list of costumes I'd like to make in the future. I know some people scatter themselves all over the place, and it quickly becomes chaotic and thus big spending happens.
Most of all you need to have a sense of direction and concentration - only concentrate on the few set of costumes that need to be done ASAP, like with upcoming conventions and etc. Once you take care of one or two, then you can go on and do your other costumes that will be a long term project, like an Amano (Final Fantasy) cosplay, which needs lots of detail.
Of course, if something comes along that'll be perfect for your future costumes and is a reasonable price, then it's a good idea to get it now before it's too late. Otherwise if it's too much, wait a while until the price comes lower or it's on clearance (me love clearance items ^_^).
OH also! keep your receipts of what you buy for your costumes! That way you can add up the total in the end and see if you overspent or not! Also you can use them to see how much you're spending so far to see if you're overspending right now smile
sorry for the long post sad
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Posted: Sat Sep 16, 2006 6:26 pm
Well, shopping around for the best deals is always a good start. Like where I live, they usuallyhave boxing day sales on fabric. I mean, 5m of fabric for 6.50$ is a joke lol I still have at least 2m left to boot.
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