enjoyment of stamping in......priceless

--- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, "cpascott" letterbox@c...> wrote:
> Hi all ...
>
> Anjabanja and I are about to place our first box! We thought we'd
> have it placed by this week, but we've decided to take just a
little
> bit longer to ensure that everything that should be in the box is,
> and that's its fully prepared for life outdoors!
>
> Given that it's our first box, we've incurred some initial
> expenses. I thought I'd share them so people thinking of placing
> boxes have an idea what it costs to place a box. Man hours
> necessary to gather the items, carve the stamp, scout a location,
> and develop and publish clues are, of course, omitted.
>
> 1 Rubbermaid 5153 3.4c Sure-Grip Rubber-sealed container = $1.97
at
> Wal-Mart
> 1 Mead 63464 wire-bound 3x5 index card stock w/50 pages = $0.97 at
> Wal-Mart
> 1 Speedball Speedy-Cut carving material (comes in various sizes) =
> $1.50 approximate cost for stamp size (you won't use the full
block
> for one stamp)
> 1 Dye-ink pad = $1.00 at Michael's
> 2 Quart-sized zip-lock bags, Wal-Mart brand = 0.08 total (box of
25
> for $1.00 at WalMart)
> 1 wood block taken from a commerical stamp = $1.00 at Michaels
> (taken from the bargin bin)
> Adhesive for mounting stamp = nominal cost
>
> Total cost = $6.52
>
> Some of these items are substitutable and some (the wooden block,
> for example) aren't necessary, so costs could be lower. Give or
> take, however, it will probably run anywhere from $5 to $10 for
the
> materials necessary to place a letterbox using reasonable quality
> rubber, contaniners, bags, and logbooks.
>
>
> CPAScott

Thanks for the information. Your CPA is really showing! LOL

----- Original Message -----
From: cpascott
To: letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Friday, July 30, 2004 1:43 PM
Subject: [LbNA] Cost to place a box


Hi all ...

Anjabanja and I are about to place our first box! We thought we'd
have it placed by this week, but we've decided to take just a little
bit longer to ensure that everything that should be in the box is,
and that's its fully prepared for life outdoors!

Given that it's our first box, we've incurred some initial
expenses. I thought I'd share them so people thinking of placing
boxes have an idea what it costs to place a box. Man hours
necessary to gather the items, carve the stamp, scout a location,
and develop and publish clues are, of course, omitted.

1 Rubbermaid 5153 3.4c Sure-Grip Rubber-sealed container = $1.97 at
Wal-Mart
1 Mead 63464 wire-bound 3x5 index card stock w/50 pages = $0.97 at
Wal-Mart
1 Speedball Speedy-Cut carving material (comes in various sizes) =
$1.50 approximate cost for stamp size (you won't use the full block
for one stamp)
1 Dye-ink pad = $1.00 at Michael's
2 Quart-sized zip-lock bags, Wal-Mart brand = 0.08 total (box of 25
for $1.00 at WalMart)
1 wood block taken from a commerical stamp = $1.00 at Michaels
(taken from the bargin bin)
Adhesive for mounting stamp = nominal cost

Total cost = $6.52

Some of these items are substitutable and some (the wooden block,
for example) aren't necessary, so costs could be lower. Give or
take, however, it will probably run anywhere from $5 to $10 for the
materials necessary to place a letterbox using reasonable quality
rubber, contaniners, bags, and logbooks.


CPAScott




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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

--- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, "cpascott" wrote:
> Total cost = $6.52
> Some of these items are substitutable and some (the wooden block,
> for example) aren't necessary, so costs could be lower.

GOOD POINTS!

If you purchase your materials such as paper (for log books) and carving blocks in
bulk quantity, then you'll also save more. I've moved away from the need to mount
stamps by carving just the thick mastercarve blocks instead. Yes, the speedy stamp
(pink stuff) is firm and I like it much better, but when it comes down to whether or
not this stamp will survive a harsh maine winter with thawing and freezing, I'd
rather not take the chance at mounting it on a wood block.

You can definitely save money on a box in many ways, but there is almost no way
of getting around the tough fact that wally-world seems to have the best supply of
the rubbermaid containers. Catbead also seems to have an ever-constant supply of
centrifuge tubes if you'd like (your letterbox size) to go down in scale.

I find the smaller boxes 1) cost less 2) are easier to hide and finally 3) are more
environmentally friendy. Something to consider.

phyto
P100 F292 X120

Chiming in on the stamp size fitting into centrafuge tubes. After
much carving I discovered that a 1"wide X 1 1/2" - 1 3/4" Long PZKut
stamp fits in with a logbook scroll wide enough to take most sig.
stamps.
Size wise, centrifuge tubes seem to fit that niche between rubbermaid
and film container. Very, very easy to hide too.

I'm not plugging them to make a sale because the centrafuge tubes can
be purchased at some university bookstores. If you live near a
college or university that has a biology dept., call the bookstore and
ask if they sell 50 ML centrafuge tubes. They might cost a little
more but at least you can try some to see if you like them. If you
want to read more about them, I have info on my website in the Goodies
section.

catbead

http://www.catbeadmischief.com/goodies.html


>Catbead also seems to have an ever-constant supply of
> centrifuge tubes if you'd like (your letterbox size) to go down in
scale.

For those of you who live near a Walgreens, all Rubbermaid is ON SALE
for HALF Price through Saturday! =]


Debbi

-----Original Message-----
From: Phyto [mailto:phyto_me@yahoo.com]
Sent: Friday, July 30, 2004 1:26 PM
To: letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [LbNA] Re: Cost to place a box


--- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, "cpascott"
wrote:
> Total cost = $6.52
> Some of these items are substitutable and some (the wooden block,
> for example) aren't necessary, so costs could be lower.

GOOD POINTS!

If you purchase your materials such as paper (for log books) and carving
blocks in
bulk quantity, then you'll also save more. I've moved away from the need
to mount
stamps by carving just the thick mastercarve blocks instead. Yes, the
speedy stamp
(pink stuff) is firm and I like it much better, but when it comes down
to whether or
not this stamp will survive a harsh maine winter with thawing and
freezing, I'd
rather not take the chance at mounting it on a wood block.

You can definitely save money on a box in many ways, but there is almost
no way
of getting around the tough fact that wally-world seems to have the best
supply of
the rubbermaid containers. Catbead also seems to have an ever-constant
supply of
centrifuge tubes if you'd like (your letterbox size) to go down in
scale.

I find the smaller boxes 1) cost less 2) are easier to hide and finally
3) are more
environmentally friendy. Something to consider.

phyto
P100 F292 X120





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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Wow ! All that X 250 letterboxes ......
no wonder I'm broke !!!



02 R1150RT 'Gnner'
GCBMWC IBMWR
BMWMOA SCRC
BMW RA

Thanks Scott! This is great information! =] I had never really thought
what it costs to place one of these things. We have planted 11, and
have MANY more waiting to find homes (they are in the car and drive
around with me - just in case I find the perfect spot).

Anyway, I thought I would break down our boxes and what we use... just
to compare notes and show others what is out there. (I am NOT trying to
tell you either way is best, or anything like that, I promise! So, no
flames being thrown this way please!)

I use the PZ Cut at http://www.stampeaz.com/ They are 10" x 4.75" and
1/4" thick. Each sheet cost$5.00 and shipping is $4.00 for approx 5
sheets! So, if you were to buy 5 sheets and pay for postage, you would
be paying $29.00. If you carve 2x2" stamps, you can get 10 per
sheet... so.. 50 stamps for $29 makes it $0.58 per stamp. (Did I do
that right? Hubby is the math person, not me!). I don't mount my
stamps... I guess I am too lazy =]

I also found Rubbermaid Take Alongs. They are better than the regular
disposable containers. I buy the sandwich size, which are 2.9 cups. At
Target I can get them 5 for $1.99 ($0.40 each).

I tend to buy blank (no lines) index cards in packs of 100. That is
enough for 2 books, and I pay $0.49 per pack at Target... so, that is
$0.25 each. Of course, then I have to hole punch them and tie with
string/yarn - but we have a ton of that laying around the house.

As for stamp pads, I don't put them in my boxes anymore. I placed my
first box in March and when I went to look at the box this last weekend
the stamp was soggy and runny and didn't make a good imprint.

So, if you want to be really cheap (cheap is always good around here as
hubby is also an accountant and wonders why we are always broke! LOL),
you can go this route... and it brings the cost down to $1.23.

Of course, when I was starting out, I didn't know all of this, so I am
sure I paid a lot more than this... but, as time has gone on and I have
been trying really hard to watch our budget, I have learned little
things along the way =]

Now, if you want to camoflauge your boxes, that is a whole other cost =]



Debbi

-----Original Message-----
From: cpascott [mailto:seh-letterbox@comcast.net]
Sent: Friday, July 30, 2004 12:44 PM
To: letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [LbNA] Cost to place a box


Hi all ...

Anjabanja and I are about to place our first box! We thought we'd
have it placed by this week, but we've decided to take just a little
bit longer to ensure that everything that should be in the box is,
and that's its fully prepared for life outdoors!

Given that it's our first box, we've incurred some initial
expenses. I thought I'd share them so people thinking of placing
boxes have an idea what it costs to place a box. Man hours
necessary to gather the items, carve the stamp, scout a location,
and develop and publish clues are, of course, omitted.

1 Rubbermaid 5153 3.4c Sure-Grip Rubber-sealed container = $1.97 at
Wal-Mart
1 Mead 63464 wire-bound 3x5 index card stock w/50 pages = $0.97 at
Wal-Mart
1 Speedball Speedy-Cut carving material (comes in various sizes) =
$1.50 approximate cost for stamp size (you won't use the full block
for one stamp)
1 Dye-ink pad = $1.00 at Michael's
2 Quart-sized zip-lock bags, Wal-Mart brand = 0.08 total (box of 25
for $1.00 at WalMart)
1 wood block taken from a commerical stamp = $1.00 at Michaels
(taken from the bargin bin)
Adhesive for mounting stamp = nominal cost

Total cost = $6.52

Some of these items are substitutable and some (the wooden block,
for example) aren't necessary, so costs could be lower. Give or
take, however, it will probably run anywhere from $5 to $10 for the
materials necessary to place a letterbox using reasonable quality
rubber, contaniners, bags, and logbooks.


CPAScott





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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

--- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, "cpascott"
wrote:

Another good container is one The Family Dollar store sells made by
Alco under the brand name 'Storage Tyme'. They are look alikes to
the rubbermaid w/the blue seal and come in 3 nesting for $2.00. The
largest is great for food, but the inner 2 are just right (said
Goldielocks) for hiding things in the woods.

catbead

>
> I find the smaller boxes 1) cost less 2) are easier to hide and finally 3) are more
> environmentally friendy. Something to consider.

True, but then there's no room for hitchhikers! :)
Nautilus

Of course, it can also be as cheap as:

2 35mm film cannisters: FREE [@ Camera Shop]
1 2" x 4" Eraser: 50 [2 @ Dollar Store $1]
Electrical tape: 2 [5 rolls @ Dollar Store $1]
7 sheets legal paper: 7 [Cut into 4 2" strips each]

Stapler, Exacto, markers are household items (in my house,
anyway)

Letterbox total: 59

It's what you make of it.

Natty Bumppo