Never  throw away scraps bigger than 5cm - they are fantastic used for tiles or on cards - store them by colour so you can always pick out the perfect piece.

Scour newsagents for bundles of cheap envelopes - sometimes they sell them off if the accompanying card has becomed damaged etc.

Make a card out of the scraps of cardstock/patterned paper left over from a layout.  Not only will you NOT have to store those scraps (!), but you will have a card available at short notice -  you could use it as a 'hello' to a friend, if you just cannot think of a suitable occasion for your paper!

Invest in a paper trimmer - try to get one that is longer than 12" - I have a large Fiskars desktop model which I can change the blades on easily.  I wouldn't be without it.

 Measure your envelope before you make your card - don't make your card exactly the same size 'cos it just will not fit in!!

Ditch your old scrapbooking supplies (paper and stickers) - the craft has become a lot more sophisticated over the last few years, with the HUGE choice of papers available, why would you use something that looks naff now??  Use it on cards, tags or give it to the kids - they LOVE cutesie papers.

When you buy those beautiful embellishments, don't wait for the "Perfect Page" to appear - USE IT NOW!  There are lots of reasons for this - a) you will have to store it,  b) it may become part of your 'old' supplies!  c) you will have feelings of frustration that you haven't used them.  Don't let that fear take hold - be proud of your creative self and get those embellishments stuck down!

Some paper touted as being 'acid and lignin' free may not be - if in doubt, test it out (!) with a ph testing pen - if you are not too worried about the whole archival safety thing, be aware that your photos may fade.  I would always recommend mounting your photograph onto paper that you KNOW is safe, before carrying on.  Alternatively, spray your paper with a de-acidifying spray or scan your photo and keep a copy.