📦 Flex Friday: 5 Real-Life Ways to SAVE on Shipping (and Keep More 💵 in Your Pocket!)

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 OK, let’s be real... shipping is one of those “ugh” parts of running a creative shop. It’s not the fun glittery part ✨ — but if you don’t keep an eye on those costs, they will EAT your profits alive! 🐍

Since I run both an Etsy shop and my mobile craft business, I’ve tested all kinds of ways to ship smarter, not harder. So today’s Flex Friday is all about sharing what’s actually worked for me — in real life, with real orders.

Here are my top 5 ways to save on shipping (aka: more $$ for Starbucks runs + new supplies 🙌):

1️⃣ Rethink your packaging 🎁

Size + weight = shipping cost. Even shaving 1 ounce or going down one box size can save you money:

  1. Use poly or bubble mailers when it’s safe to do so
  2. Cut down your box size (no need to ship air!)
  3. Keep packaging light — but still pretty for your brand ✨

2️⃣ Score supplies on auction apps 🤑

One of my favorite hacks: I use local auction sites! 🎯 Here in San Antonio, I use an app called MacBid and bid on returned/overstock shipping supplies — boxes, bubble wrap, tissue, mailers, the works.

✅ It saves $$$

✅ It saves stuff from going to landfill ♻️

✅ It’s weirdly fun to “win” a ton of bubble wrap 😂

If you’ve never checked out local auctions or surplus sales, do it — goldmine for shipping supplies!

3️⃣ Bulk buy = big savings 💸

Even if you don’t have auction apps, buying in bulk is where it’s at:

  1. Uline, Amazon, eBay... buy packs of 50-100
  2. Look for Prime Day or Black Friday deals
  3. Just don’t be that person paying retail at the post office 😬 #rookiemove

4️⃣ Be strategic with free shipping 🚚

Free shipping can help boost sales — but you don’t want to lose money doing it. For me:

  1. I don’t use Etsy’s “free shipping” button (didn’t work for my margins)
  2. Instead: I offer free shipping on orders over a certain $$ amount (I control it)

Tips:

  1. Build some shipping cost into product price
  2. Use “free shipping over $35” to encourage bigger orders
  3. Always know your average shipping cost — and adjust as needed

5️⃣ Stay organized, save $$ (no more panic shipping!) 🗂️

You know when you get behind and suddenly you’re overnighting something? $$$$ down the drain! 💸 The best fix = stay organized:

  1. I ship on set days (Tues & Thurs)
  2. My Etsy shop lists realistic processing times
  3. I keep backup supplies so I’m not scrambling

Less stress. Less $$ wasted on last-minute shipping.

Final Thoughts 💬

Saving $1-2 per package may not sound like much — but over 100+ orders? That adds up FAST. And guess what — that $$ is better spent on ✨new supplies, ✨self-care, ✨your next coffee run... or maybe even a crafting vacation! 😍

If YOU have a genius shipping hack — please drop me a DM or comment. I love learning new tips from fellow makers! 🚛📦

Location: San Antonio, TX 78261, USA

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