Most often I have a pattern or project in mind when I buy fabric. Being on a pension income, I really can't afford to buy fabrics unless I know what I'm going to make with it. Also good quality fabric is not cheap here - some batiks run to $15 - $20 a metre and some of the brand name fabrics can be $12 - $15 a metre - that's Canadian dollars. I do pick up the odd fat quarter and am slowly building a stash of them. I also order online from Over the Rainbow, Hancocks of Paducah, and other online shops when I can get a really good price. Even with the exchange, shipping and handling added on, I can get some really good deals.
I look at some of the pictures of the stashes here on this board and I am consumed with envy!!