How to Collect Smiling Friends Merchandise on a Budget

Collecting Smiling Friends merchandise shouldn’t involve breaking the bank or collecting a bunch of random items. With a little planning, it is possible to get items in a way where the collection is cohesive and budget friendly. Knowing what to prioritize, avoiding impulse buys, and considering whether or not the items are official or fan merch are important in the process.

Consider the Type of Merchandise You Will Use

Take some time to think about what kind of merch will add the most value to your everyday life. Prioritize the purchase of a graphic tee if it is something that you wear regularly. Something that adds value to your home like a decorative blanket may be a better purchase for someone like you that works from home. Just starting with one specific category is also a great way to make sure your collection stays cohesive.

Set a Budget and Stick to It

Establishing a monthly budget in advance for things that you might want is a healthy practice. It is not uncommon to get swept up with the latest Must-have or sweat drop and to experience what is called buyer’s remorse. A good practice is to wait 48 hours before making a purchase. If you are still thinking about the item after that time, you will still probably appreciate it, in the long run, to make the purchase.

Learn How To Spot Quality Behind a Good Price

Just because something is very affordable does not mean that it is low quality. For clothes, always check the fabric descriptions. Fabrics that are cotton or cotton blends will last longer and feel better. It is better to look for clothes that have good and finished stitching around the collar and seams. Be sure to look for fabrics that have a good print that is not blurry, glossy, or low quality. If you are shopping for toys, plush toys, or blankets, strong seams and consistent fabric will mean better quality.

Combine Official and Fan Clothing with Purpose

There is no reason why you cannot have both official Smiling Friends merch and also a few fan made designs. It both could add a lot of value to a collection by being diversified. Official merch have the pros of authenticity and consistency but they come without a lot of creativity. It is good to have a mix to not lose style and not have high costs too. Just make sure to have fan made designs that have been described in depth and have good reviews to make sure you are not getting something of low quality.

Beware of the “Complete the Set” Trap

Blind boxing collections are fun, but financially trying to complete every set is not the move. Select characters or designs that you like independent of the set and stop focusing on trying to complete it. Duplication trading can save you costs, and so can just buying the figure you want instead of buying the set multiple times to get the figure.

Collect Statels to Enjoy it More

Patience is crucial in building a good Smiling Friends merch collection. If you are intentional with your buys and space them out so you are not buying sticking to just the releases. In the end, with time and merch reflection, it will not just be what was popular at the time.

If you are intentional with purchases and set a collection budget, it is unlikely that you will sacrifice cost and quality when collecting the Smiling Friends merch.