Craft stores need 12 step programs

As any good crafter should be, I am a fan of craft stores. Mostly I frequent Joann, but I occasionally drift over to Hobby Lobby as well. The reasons that I refrain from visiting the Lobby are because 1. I don't like their fabric selection quite as well, 2. though I like their scrapbooking section fairly well for certain things, I sadly haven't touched a scrapbook in quite some time, but mostly because 3. I only need one addiction at a time. Craft stores suck you in with a vortex of swirling colors and patterns. They offer great discounts and provide you with a plethora of coupons and sale papers for things you aren't even interested in, but they look so tempting in the color ads that you begin to conjure up projects just so you can buy one because "it's on sale".  I talk with the employees at Joann when I'm there, some of which I'm almost on a first name basis with, and most of them tell me that it's very hard to leave the store with a paycheck. How could it not be? They have first hand information on which items are on sale and how to get the very best deals. A few have even admitted that they work there merely to support their crafting habit. I  have therefore decided that craft stores are like crack and  need 12 step programs. Since no crafter should swear off  new projects (unless you have unfinished projects lurking about), purchasing things to complete said projects, or having a reasonable stash, (unless of course you are like a crazy cat lady except with fabric and other craft supplies) I have devised my own 12 step program to manage crafty addictions.

1. Admit that you are an addict/junkie and need help. This is often the hardest step.
2. Never shop when you are lonely or depessed. This form of "retail therapy" will only get you into trouble.
3. Some say to get an accountability partner. If you choose to go this route, make sure that your partner is not a fellow addict or they will become what's known as an enabler. This compounds your problem for obvious reasons.
4. Have a specific project in mind that you are going to complete within the next X number of days. Here, X= the realistic amount of time that it will actually take you to complete the project. Don't start 5 things and not finish any of them. That's how cat ladies get started.
5. Don't buy supplies for a project you might do some day when you have the time. You know that you aren't likely to have the random time to do it.
6. Plan out your projects in detail. That means making a list of all items you will need to complete said project. Having to return to the store to pick up  forgotten items leaves you vulnerable to the vortex.
7. Before you go to the store armed with your list, go through your stash and see if you already have any of the items on the list. Searching current items= less stock+more money in your pocket.
8. Organize your stuff. Make up a system that works for you. This will make step 7 much easier.
9. If you have a project in mind that requires pricey supplies, or if you repeatedly use the same types of items, wait until they go on sale or you have a killer coupon to purchase or stock up. 
10. Save your scraps, you might need them. Now I don't mean every single scrap, I mean pieces that are big enough to actually use for something. If you are having a crafting withdrawal, hit the scrap pile and create something random. Some folks call this "a quick fix".
11. Make a project board. Here you can list out all of the projects you would like to do and rank them by importance or ease of completion. 
12. The last and perhaps most important step is shopping with cash, your coupons, and a calculator. This will help you to see your limit before you hit the register and feel obligated to give them your debit card to save face and cover your overages.

I hope that my 12 step program helps you to manage your own crafty addiction and become a "functioning craft-a-holic".