After reading Vicky’s stash report, I got to thinking about this stash busting idea. Maybe it’s a bad idea! Maybe we should go on a buying binge today!
So far this year I’ve added 198 yards. For calculation purposes, I rounded it up to 200 yards. Just say I spent $8.00/yard. Some is more, some is less. Most of mine is less because I generally buy only tone on tone fabrics and I try to buy when it’s on sale. So, 200 yards x $8/yard is $1,600.
Using an online calculator, I figured that if I stuck that $1,600 in the bank and earned about 5% interest on it, at the end of 10 years, it would have grown to a whopping $2,635.
Also figuring that since fabric has just about doubled in cost in the past 10 years, suppose fabric goes from an average of $8.00/yard (I know . . it’s already more than that everywhere but I used that figure because so much of my fabric was purchased on sale) to $14.00/yard. Honestly, it will probably be more like $18 or $20/yard in 10 years at the rate it’s going. But, for the sake of my little calculation here, 200 yards x $14.00 = $2,800. I’ve lost money by not buying fabric!
I’ve really always know that a great stash is a good investment but think about it —
- With the cost of fabric always on the rise, we’re actually saving money by buying more now. (Can someone explain that to my husband, please?)
- With a great stash, I can accomplish so much more because I don’t have to waste my time by running out to look for the perfect fabric when I want to make a quilt.
- With a great stash, I’m saving gas because I don’t have to go shopping on a whim. I can just buy in huge quantities when I buy and save on trips to the quilt shop.
- The best reason of all – I love my stash and I love seeing it and I love touching it and I just love knowing it’s there waiting for me.
So, will I continue to bust my stash? Yes, I will. I get a lot of personal satisfaction from being able to make quilts from the stash. Plus, the shelves are full and it’s really hard to find a place for anything new right now.
Will I continue to buy fabric? Yes, I will. Because it’s a good investment and being the frugal person that I am, I want to make good use of my money and I want to make good investments! 🙂
Liz says
hi
Carole says
I used some of our stimulus check to stimulate my stash–I believe I got more value than the bank would have given me and at least for the most part, I am keeping my money in the US! I just love your reasoning. KUDOS to you!