Creative journaling can be therapeutic and calming, but it can also be expensive. Notice that I used can instead of is, because on the flip side, it can also be affordable⏤if you know how to do it. 😉
On this entry, I will be sharing with you eight ideas that'll make journaling cheap and cheerful. Let's begin. 💗
1. Don't splurge on your first journal.
Midori, Hobonichi, and Leuchtturm aren't the only journals in the market, and just because they're popular doesn't mean they're the the only good ones out there. Do not limit yourself to what veteran bujo enthusiasts swear by (chances are, they're rather expensive for someone who's still testing the waters) and allow yourself to start safely with more reasonable units.
I did a "Beginner's Guide to Finding the Perfect Journal" post and recommended local and affordable journals that are perfect for first-timers. The list might help, especially if you're PH-based. ♥
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| This is a spread from my 2017 journal, a Limelight Sketchbook A5 (PHP 200) |
2. Take advantage of PHP 5-10 books at Booksale
Book pages add an understated yet delightful touch to your spreads. And if you're one to add them on your journal entries, you might see novel papers sold by local sellers on Shopee for what may seem like an affordable price of PHP 10 for 25 pieces (international shops even more expensive!). But actually, you can get 150-paged pocket books for only PHP 5-10 at Booksale⏤now that's dirt cheap and a pretty smart purchase! 😉
Click the links to check out the complete list of Booksale branches: Metro Manila, Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao.
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| Photo credit: Spot.ph |
3. Cop washi samplers to save money
What are washi samplers, you ask. Washi samplers are around 15-20 inches worth of washi tape and are usually kept in washi cards or bookmarks. So why buy a whole roll of one design for PHP 50 when you can buy 3-4 of varying designs with the same price? You probably won't stick with just one concept anyway! 😉
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| Photo credit: iEmCreativeCo |
4. Source affordable but good quality writing tools
The foundations of journaling are the pen and paper, and writing makes a more pleasurable experience if you have nice materials to start with. My advice, as it always has been, is this: do not quickly jump on the wagon, especially if you're on a budget.
So here are some of my recommended alternatives that are affordable but work well for journaling:
- For markers, Crystal Fineliner Pens 0.4 (PHP 17/each)
- For highlighters, Titus Mild Dual-Tip Highlighter (PHP 28/each) or the DS Retractable Highlighter (PHP 35/each)
- For brush pens, instead of a Tombow ABT Dual Brush Pen (1 Fabricolor/Futurecolor Brush Pen Calligraphy Marker (PHP 33/each)
- For gel tip pens, Dong-A Fine Tech, available in 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5 (PHP 25/each)
- For ballpoint pens, Faber Castell RX5 (PHP 15/each)
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| Photo credits: Lazada |
5. Doodle, doodle, doodle!
If stickers are just beyond budget at the moment, do not fret⏤the solution is already in your hands, like literally. Just grab a pen (or pencil in first, if you're like me) and doodle to your heart's content. They make spreads look more creatively done and more personal.
If you're unsure about your doodle skills, I recommend checking out this helpful beginner-level doodle tutorial by Shayda Campbell. Have fun! ✨
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| A simple floral doodle I colored in with watercolor, and a few doodled people peeking in from bottom left |
6. Grab old newspapers and magazines
Chances are, you most probably have a few of these lying around your house, so if they don't add value to your life anymore, why not repurpose them and make them feel useful again. All you have to do is to cut out any element or pattern you like and incorporate them to your spreads. It's super nifty thrifty!
My favorite magazines for cutouts are back issues of Candy Mag and Chalk PH. ✂
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| The ice cream girl is a cutout from a Candy Mag I had from years back |
7. Say hello to faux polcos
Instax and polaroids are hella expensive, and we want to keep our budget low. Good thing resourceful creatives have figured out a way to dupe polcos in extremely cheaper price points.
You probably won't be able to shake them like a polaroid (which you shouldn't, actually 😊), but you can write on it and they usually cost around PHP 5 a pop! You can check out this or this shop if interested! :)
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| Photo credit: Paper Lover PH |
And that's seven! I hope that my tips have helped you in keeping a creative journal or bullet journal that's not going beyond budget.
If you're new to bullet journaling and you want to see check out my recommendations, please head on over to this post. ✨
Also, speaking of budget, I've listed 2022 planner recommendations you can get based on how much you're willing to spend for a unit, if you're more drawn to planners than journals. 🤗
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