Yea that's my biggest expense too is the skirts and I've researched the world over to no avail to find a cheaper skirt. Sounds like my price may be as low as it's going to get. I get mine from Hagens, www.hagensfish.com Their basic skirt pads unless you get into the scale patterns, etc. are 6.65 per 50 with a minimum order of 50 which comes to .26 per skirt. Have them send you a catalog book, the one online is in pdf format and not set up very well. I've ordered a lot from Stamina as well and I'm thinking about just ordering pre-made skirts from them like you mentioned. They're a little more but the time to make them has to mean something. Also from Stamina if you make a $100 order or more you get free shipping. But the overall best prices I've found is at Hagens, check them out. Thanks for the reply.