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Creatively
Frugal Reading
If you are an avid reader,
tell us about some of the ways you save money as you support
your habit.
"My favorite place to get books to read is my
church library. Hopefully I never run out.
Also, when people know you like to read,
they're usually very willing to let you read
from their library if they know you'll
return the book in good time and in good condition.
Readers love readers. One more thing, our church
library lets people that don't attend the church
borrow books. If you know of an area church that
has a lot of books, and tries to stay current, check
with the church secretary, who will check with the
church librarian." Carolyn
"I haven't tried this yet, but there is a
great website, http://www.bookmooch.com/,
where you can send and receive books with just the cost of
shipping." ~ Dee Dee
"It is obvious that using
your public library is one answer to this topic. It is important
to keep in mind that public libraries often work in cooperation
with other nearby libraries. Books not at your library can be
gotten from other libraries through regional sharing among
libraries. I love browsing through thrift stores for books. Yard
sales often help me turn up other titles. Both offer books at
next to nothing. One thing I have tapped into the past couple of
years is an offer made by my credit card company from time to
time. Certain credit card companies work out agreements with
magazine providers to offer their customers a year's
subscription to a magazine for free. I currently have three or
four titles coming in free, all because I hold a certain credit
card. I'm sure the publisher is hoping I will subscribe at the
close of the full-year's subscription, and each of us can make
that decision when the year is up. However, these subscriptions
are risk free." ~ Jeff
"Three
of my best friends and I are quick and avid readers with
similar tastes.
We get
together at least once a month and write down on individual
pieces of paper, names of books we’d like to read; these
slips go into an old vase.
My name
starts with an A so I usually choose first. I reach into
the vase and choose a title and then we all chip in and split
the cost four ways. This way no book is ever very expensive
for any of us. Of course we always buy the book at the best
price we possibly can. Once I’m through with the book it’s
passed on to the next person (we go in alphabetical order).
The person choosing a book for that month also provides (at
her own expense) light refreshments for the evening. Once the
book is read by all, we donate it to a library in our
neighborhood. Good food, good friends and best of all good
books…what could be better?" ~ Ann
"The library!" ~ Danielle
"I am a huge advocate of www.PaperbackSwap.com.
It's a site that allows you to "swap" books with other
readers. The only cost is the price of postage which usually
runs about $1.59." ~ Melissa
"I am an avid reader -- I
always have something with me to read when I get a spare
minute. I am a BIG believer in the public library system.
About 95% of the books I've read came from there.
If it's something that I simply need for my own personal
library, then I'll buy it only when it's on sale or when I can
get it at my used bookstore." ~ Lynette
"I love to borrow from the
library to save money. The best part is you can 'reserve'
the books you want online so that when they're available,
they email you to notify you. They hold them at the desk for
you too so you can just pop in to get them. Also, our
library offers a suggestion area on their website and if
they decide to purchase an item you've requested, they also
let you check it out first when it arrives. I've enjoyed
being the first reader of a newly released book before. They
also have a wonderful children's area and all 4 of my kids
love to go pick books out. My 3 year old asks me to 'buy'
them and my older 2 love having their own library cards.
Also, at yard sales I can
always find wonderful books for my children and myself. I
would also try the local Freecycle
list to find specific books that I would like for
free." ~ Jeanie
"Boy, am I a bookworm! Quoting
my best friend, 'reading is like breathing' for
both of us. I rarely pay more than $0.25 for paperbacks
or $0.50 for hardbacks. I check out yard sales and our local
Hospice does a huge annual flea market that I hit,
especially for books. I will pay a little more when the
money goes to such a good cause. My local thrift shop has
bag-a-books days where you can get a bag of books for $2 to $3
per bag. Hubby and I hit one of the bigger town's library
when they have book sales to discard older, used books.
We have gotten many classics and historical books for a
steal. I donate the books I have read back to my
local thrift shop so they can make double profit off them!"
~ Anggie
"I absolutely love to
read. I go to the public library with a pocket of
change every so often and almost always come away with a
book or several. They are always discontinuing books
and love for people to buy them. Certain librarians
have actually told me when they would put out other books,
so I could come and buy them as well. The prices vary, but
nothing over a $1.00. They also sell books on tape,
etc. I usually end up with 6 books for less than $2.00."
~ Rena
"It's very simple.....use the library!! Now you
don't have to store anymore books." ~ Suzie
"Yard sales are an
endless source of books. I rarely buy them new. Usually
they are 25 cents to $1 at yard sales and every topic
you can think of." ~ Beth
"Find like-minded friends that enjoy reading some
of the same things you do, and swap books if you own
them. Garage sales are great for books, as
most people overlook them. I like to get a few put
away for reading in the winter when I have time.
Those I don't want to keep then go to the Thrift store
in town, which is another great place to find books at a
very reasonable price." ~ Amy H.
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"Start
a book exchange! Get together with some of your friends and
share your favorite books with each other. It might introduce you to
something you would not otherwise have selected and they get to
share your interests as well. I tried this with a couple friends and
found some really great books! There are often books available at
thrift stores or rummage sales, but you have to be willing to look
through lots of junk. I can’t stress enough what a valuable
resource the library has been if I’m looking for something
specific.
" ~ Jeanette
"Start with http://www.allbookstores.com
to find the best deal on the Internet, and go from there. You'll
get the book you want, with choices of both used and new books.
Church rummage sales are another good option (better selection
than regular garage sales) if you're just browsing and aren't
looking for one particular book...although sometimes you are
blessed!" ~ Jennifer
"Thrift shops are an excellent resource for inexpensive books.
Also, starting a book exchange with your friends, local women's
group or church." ~ N. Christensen
"My girl scout troop is
planning on hosting a community book exchange in the spring. We
will ask people to donate books ahead of time. They will get a
slip showing how may books they brought in and can take 4 books
back for every 5 books they donate. We plan to do this
every year and have a rotation of books. Maybe you can organize
one yourself." ~ Tammy
"I'm in a book club and I
usually try to get my book each month from the library. Our
group also brings magazines and books that we are finished
reading so that we can trade with each other. We all
obviously like to read because there are plenty of magazines
to go around." ~ Anonymous
"1. Check out
Bookcrossing.com - people drop off books various
places for other people to pick up - free
2. Garage sales, rummage
sales, school book sales - in my area, hard covers usually
cost about $1-2 & paperbacks 25 cents to $1 (Canadian)
3. Libraries sometimes have a
shelf of used books for sale, at similar prices.
4. Check Freecycle.com -
people share what they cannot use - free
5.Of course there are secondhand
stores, but they usually charge $3 and up for books, which
isn't all that cheap from my point of view.
If some of these things don't
exist in your area, can you start them? Freecycle can be
started anywhere, and there might be a store willing to
let you have a shelf for free books for the community
to trade. Donate some of your own to start it.
Can you tell I'm an avid
reader??
Good hunting." ~ Ellen
in Ottawa
"I belong to paperbackswap.com.
You enter the books you want to trade and request books
you want--all for the price of postage. They do hardbacks
also. With the cheap media mail rate you can get a book
for under $2.00. I never run out of things to read
now." ~ Kathy from Alabama
"Reading online is
always fun with a cup of coffee, but not very comfortable.
I love going to yard sales and indoor church sales. People
will give away the best books: old children's books,
recipe books, garden magazines. My favourite is the
leftover wools, knitting patterns, or any other crafts
that never got finished. These are great to add to my
collection of threads and patterns. Secondhand stores are
great to go to when they have their sales. One store by
our place sells books by the bag with each bag going for
as little as $2. My arms are never long enough to hold all
the treasures I find." ~ Margot
"One of my frugal
luxuries is owning hardback books. I've found many
resources help me to save money. I seldom purchase from
a bookstore. I belong to one of the book clubs often
featured in magazines. My club (I've been a member for
nearly 30 years now) offers me free shipping on books. I
often pay less than the cost of a paperback at the
bookstore. I've made it my habit to only buy books by
certain authors that I enjoy and know I will read again
and again. I keep my eyes open when in thrift shops and
antique stores. You'd be surprised how many times I've
found a copy of a book by a beloved author for less than
$2 and in very good condition. To me the pleasure of the
book is increased when I find an inscription inside the
front cover, or, as in one book, find a dance corsage
tucked inside the leaves of the book along with a
Christmas card. For magazines, my mother, grandmother,
daughter and I each subscribe to different magazines and
swap the issues between the four of us." ~ Terri
"I moved to Florida
from Chicago about a year ago and one of the things I
miss very much is Newberry Library's two annual book
sales (March and July) where I picked up paperbacks for
50 cents and hard-bound or quality paperback books for
$1-$2. I usually set a limit of $50 for the year
($25/sale) and I still have a few unread books from
the last sale I went to in March of 2005! (I spent
more that time, knowing that I was moving. And my
family knows that there is no present I like better
than a gift card from Barnes and Noble or Borders, so I
get some new books as well. I have done a
search for book sales in Florida, but have not
found any convenient for me (driving 100 miles round
trip costs too much these days). I found a used
book store where I can get $1 store credit for each book
I bring in, but many of the books I buy I like to keep,
so I don't have many to turn in. I've occasionally found
some bargains in thrift shops and at library sales. And
I am always on the lookout for places to save - I'm
anxious to see other reader's tips. (The few garage
sales I've been to have been a bust)." ~ Kate in
Florida
Editor's Note: Thanks to these readers for taking time to share
their ideas!
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