As many of you may do...I make my own cake boards from the 1/2" foam core from Hobby Lobby. Cut them all myself and wrap/cover them. This week i realized they went up a whole dollar! 
I can't do this anymore 
takes so much time, money, my back hurts from all that extra work.
Is there a better way!??
If you have a Dollar Tree go there!!!!!!!! Thats where I get mine and they are always ONE DOLLAR...can't beat it!
Can't help you with your back...sorry! 
Re: foamcore boards at the dollar store, they are not 1/2 in. I believe they are 1/4, but still cheap to double up at only $1 a board. I also buy 1/4 inch hardboard from the lumber section at my local home improvement store. It comes in a 4 foot by 8 foot sheet for $12.99. Depending on size, I can usually get 20 good size boards and they are very sturdy.My hubby cuts mine to the sizes I need but I hear they will do it for you at the store for no extra cost 
Edited to change typo!
As many of you may do...I make my own cake boards from the 1/2" foam core from Hobby Lobby. Cut them all myself and wrap/cover them. This week i realized they went up a whole dollar!
I can't do this anymore takes so much time, money, my back hurts from all that extra work.Is there a better way!??
Do you use this under each tier too?
I buy regular cake boards in bulk at my wholesaler...I can't imagine cutting boards for every single cake. No wonder your back hurts. lol
Yep the Dollar Tree is where I get mine too, they even have black sometimes.
Hubby and I found a supplier here in my city which carries the heavy 1/2 inch honey combed cardboard sheets.The come in 4x2 sheets and hubby cuts them down to size with his table saw.I buy a pallet...yup a full pallet at about $400.00 but it lasts me about 2 years.Best boards..They are strong and hold very heavy cakes....I cut circles of all sizes and big boards for custom slabs.
Yes, use cardboard cake circles or cake drums if you want height. Pre-cut, can get in bulk through a wholeseller and there's no headache.
Now, if you are cake sculpting I understand using foam core, but for just tiered cakes? You don't need it.
Jen
I buy the foam boards at Dollar Tree too. I hot glue two circles together. I just bought a circle drywall cutter at Home Depot for $9 after seeing someone on here mention using it. It doesn't cut all the way through the foam board but you can just flip it over and use it on the other side and you can just pop out the circle. Sooo much easier than trying to cut circles with scissors or a razor blade. Here's a link to the drywall cutter:
http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&productId=100377278&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&cm_sp=BazVoice-_-RLP-_-100377278-_-x&locStoreNum=159
ok, no i don't use the 1/2" foam core for all of my tiers...I use it for the bottom, for presentation. I like the look of making each cake look very elegant and match the theme of the cake...so i guess that even adds the expense of ribbon :p
there is no way I'm doing the thin foam core from my dollar store...sooo not sturdy enough for me 
leah, i believe you have a higher volume and can do the added expense for your cakes. But for me to just buy a package online is a no go, too expensive that way for my 2 cakes a month.
also, i use to be able to justify the expense of the foam core because i would get multiple rounds or squares out of it...doesn't seem like such a good expense anymore
kiddicakes, the cardboard sheets i may have to look into! but then i'm not sure what size rounds or squares i'm going to need for the month...darn
I buy the foam boards at Dollar Tree too. I hot glue two circles together. I just bought a circle drywall cutter at Home Depot for $9 after seeing someone on here mention using it. It doesn't cut all the way through the foam board but you can just flip it over and use it on the other side and you can just pop out the circle. Sooo much easier than trying to cut circles with scissors or a razor blade. Here's a link to the drywall cutter:
http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&productId=100377278&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&cm_sp=BazVoice-_-RLP-_-100377278-_-x&locStoreNum=159
OOOOOOoooo 
Now that's a tool i might need to invest in! thanks 
I buy the foam boards at Dollar Tree too. I hot glue two circles together. I just bought a circle drywall cutter at Home Depot for $9 after seeing someone on here mention using it. It doesn't cut all the way through the foam board but you can just flip it over and use it on the other side and you can just pop out the circle. Sooo much easier than trying to cut circles with scissors or a razor blade. Here's a link to the drywall cutter:
http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&productId=100377278&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&cm_sp=BazVoice-_-RLP-_-100377278-_-x&locStoreNum=159
So excited about checking this out too!!!
I too purchase my foam core board from Dollar Tree. They are 1/4 inch boards but using the drywall cutter sound like ideal for saving time trying to get more than one board to be evenly cut out. If you are a person purchasing these from Dollar Tree often and in the masses, you can actually order from their website dollartree direct. I had to use their online services when I was ordering prizes for the kids I use to work with.
I use the Dollar Tree foam boards too! For a heavier cake, two or three tiers, I usually cut about 5 or 6 circles and glue them together. I can get three 12" circles from one board. So for a 12" cake board that is 6 layers thick, I only need 2 foam boards. CAn't go wrong for $2!
You can use a hot cutter is so much easier. It takes a while to make perfect rounds but, hey it also takes practice to make perfect cakes right?
Good luck.
Patty
http://www.demandproducts.com/Hobby-and-Craft-items/item.php?=&sku=HCE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=na7pJqbyOQY&feature=player_embedded
http://hotwirefoamfactory.com/home.php?cat=3&&sort=price&sort_direction=0
some DIY projects:
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_4968914/tm.htm
http://www.instructables.com/id/Hot-wire-foam-cutter/
My hubby cuts them 18-1/2 x 13-1/2 to fit my 19x14 boxes.We leave quite a few blank sheet so I can cut custom size rounds and squares.Works well...never run out of cardboard...
I just order the multi packs of cardboard circles. the most work i do is opening the package.
Laughing my butt of at this Leah! I too think that is the most work I would like to do on some of the bases but alas, sometimes I need to make others. I buy the foamboard when Michaels has them on sale but, use the dollar store ones when they aren't. Thanks to everyone that inputs their opinions and all the help every person gives.
evelyn
If you buy anything in large boxes or do any ordering online.....save the boxes!! Anytime I have anything in a decent size cardboard box, I cut it apart and stick with all my boards and boxes. You need to stack 2 or more pieces together to get a good strenth/thickness, and cover them, of course...... but it's free!
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