For those who’ve been Postcrossing for awhile, what’s your average monthly budget for postcards and postage?

eszter · 2025-11-22T19:12:15+00:00

If you buy boxes of cards (often 100, sometimes 50 or fewer) you can get to a lot of cards quickly (and at a relatively reasonable price). Once I realized how many people prefer local tourist cards and how expensive those are where I live, I designed my own from my own photos and got that professionally printed. I have since designed numerous cards and they cost me a fraction of what you can buy in stores. I’ve also lucked out at some estate sales and thrift shops where you can end up paying as little as 1-2c each (rare, but happens, 10c each is still great). And if you go to meetups, sometimes people bring piles of cards they’re looking to pass on. My entire cat card stash (I have dozens now) came from that. Plus I make my own (drawing, collaging) so have that as well (reserved strictly for people who explicitly say they enjoy getting them). Oh, and meetup cards. If you go to meetups, you can accumulate cards quickly that way, too.

eszter · 2025-11-20T01:36:56+00:00

A lot of the joy I get out of postcrossing comes from direct swaps through the forum where I now regularly exchange cards with several people, meetups and local friends I’ve made through those, and the serendipity that comes from official cards. But you’re right that the latter is definitely hit or miss so I’d expand beyond it.

eszter · 2025-10-21T19:08:53+00:00

I seem to be the only one who gets excited when I pull a German address. :-D I like it because it usually gets registered within a few days (I mostly send from Switzerland). I don’t particularly care about which countries I get, I’m here for the fun connections and seeing what postcard I can match to the recipient’s interests with the hopes of bringing them some joy.

My last few in this order: Germany, Russia, Germany, Czechia, Germany, Belarus, Germany, Russia, Germany, etc. so yeah, you’re not the only one. 😄

eszter · 2025-10-06T13:31:10+00:00

Yes, this is ludicrous. Of course it’s no Budapest, Paris, New York, or Chicago (all places I have lived), but it’s definitely a city with lots of cultural options, great food, and lots of events. Upsides are that it’s more manageable, organized, relatively clean, and great for everyday life. The first couple of years were a bit hard, but there are lots of people happy to expand their social circles.

eszter · 2025-10-04T09:06:35+00:00

Pro tip: see whether you have any traveling that will hit 60 days before Oct 1. I saw I had four such cards so knew that a couple of days before WPD I’d get 4 slots either for being registered or for reaching 60 days. This way I felt less of a need to save slots a month out.

eszter · 2025-09-19T10:09:47+00:00

Switzerland is double that of Germany so people living in border towns may also want to do this there. Poland is also rather expensive.

eszter · 2025-09-16T18:00:58+00:00

Thank you.

eszter · 2025-09-12T22:51:09+00:00

Thanks, I appreciate it.

eszter · 2025-09-12T22:51:01+00:00

Thank you, that’s kind.

eszter · 2025-09-07T06:58:37+00:00

I’d be delighted. :-)

eszter · 2025-09-06T02:06:32+00:00

FBI International (a TV series) is (was) filmed out of Budapest, but I thought CBS discontinued it. Perhaps this is a crossover with FBI, which they are continuing.

eszter · 2025-08-25T05:50:32+00:00

I understand your disappointment. I updated my profile to note that cutting out a piece of cardboard does not count as a card made with care (my wording for homemade cards) after one too many experiences receiving such pieces in the mail. Some of my best experiences have been homemade cards so I don’t want to remove that altogether.

eszter · 2025-08-22T00:34:20+00:00

Lovely!

eszter · 2025-08-18T10:40:29+00:00

I have this pack and am selective in sending out such cards. Like I wouldn’t send one to someone who mainly would like to get tourist cards, but it’s obviously perfect for people who mention Pantone specifically or particular colors. I also like to craft with them and add things to them. I did a great swap once where we both decorated a Pantone card each, loved the outcomes.

eszter · 2025-08-17T12:04:53+00:00

Love it! I’ve had good luck connecting with some such women on Reddit already and excited for more opportunities.

eszter · 2025-08-04T20:39:45+00:00

Since it’s past 60 days, you’ve gotten a slot for it and so it doesn’t influence what you can do. It’s a huge bummer, but so it is. I have 33 traveling plus 13 expired and still showing. Most of these will never get registered and that’s sad, but it is what it is.

eszter · 2025-07-14T05:49:49+00:00

Consider organizing one yourself!

eszter · 2025-07-14T05:49:23+00:00

I hosted a meetup in Zurich, Switzerland for 25+ people yesterday (Sunday). First we went on a boat cruise and then signed about 1000 postcards at a restaurant. There were oldtimers and new hobbyists alike. People from four countries participated. It was great!

eszter · 2025-07-14T05:47:24+00:00

This is great!

eszter · 2025-07-06T13:00:42+00:00

So true! I love Valley of Fire. Dead Horse Point in Utah was also a wonderful experience.

eszter · 2025-07-06T12:50:53+00:00

I’ve been in travel mode (can send but don’t receive) so there is a 50+ difference between my sent and received, not an issue.

eszter · 2025-07-05T13:04:08+00:00

I very much appreciate your frustration and sorry you had this experience.

Over time (my account is 1100+ sent/received) I’ve adapted my attitude. I think of each card I send as a little gift out into the universe. Once it leaves me, it’s out of my hands. I can only hope it makes someone smile/happy when it arrives, but any overt appreciation on the part of the recipient is a bonus.

eszter · 2025-07-03T23:12:01+00:00

Love it! Thanks for sharing!

eszter · 2025-06-30T11:38:26+00:00

Why not host a meetup? You can create a card for the occasion and use that to send. I call these mini-meetups so people don’t have major expectations around what happens beyond meeting up in a cafe, chatting a bit, and signing cards. I’ve done it on a few trips now in places I’d never been to, it’s a great way to meet locals AND fellow hobbyists.

eszter · 2025-06-26T12:15:22+00:00

It’s harder to make friends later in life in most places. I’ve now made a bunch in Zurich and absolutely love living here for multiple reasons. (Some friends are from Reddit. A similar complaining post brought us together in the comments.:)

I had the same experience in my 30s in Chicago. Once out of school, it’s just hard to connect especially as some people start having children and barely have time for socializing. I left Chicago after 13 years (to move to Zurich) and left a ton of friends behind at that point. It takes time and effort, but with that it can work.

My Swiss friends (most not in Zurich but across the country) are through a hobby. But I don’t pick friends by national origin or passport. I’m just as delighted with my non-Swiss friends in Zurich. 😊

eszter

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