I hope you’re enjoying 31 Days of Financial Savvy so far! It’s been fun writing these posts in hopes of encouraging others to spend their dollars in the best way- and the writing has also been serving as a good reminder to myself. If you’re just getting started, you can find links to the other posts at the bottom of this one.
My husband and I love to read. A lot. And brand new books aren’t cheap. Enter alternative ways of buying (or not buying) books. I do love free books!
(what my nightstand typically looks like)
Half Price Books is one of my very best friends! I can often find just the book I need for half (or less) of the cover cost. I also just love bookstores. Most Half Price Books aren’t as cozy as a Barnes and Noble, but I can sacrifice coziness for a better deal! Then I can get cozy when I get home with inexpensive book.
Amazon is also a great way to buy books. Sometimes books are a mere penny. Of course, you then have to pay $3.99 shipping. But- when I can’t easily get to the store, it’s worth it to get a book I need for homeschooling to come straight to my front door.
The library is also a great source for books that you want to read, but won’t necessarily read again. I use our public library all the time. I read lots of books this summer during my blogging hiatus. All I have to do is go online, search for the book I want, and request to have it sent to the branch closest to me. The best part? It’s all free! (as long as I turn in the books on time! Oops!) {PS I read the best book on mothering- Desperate- from the library. But I think I’m going to have to buy it now!}
If you’re a blogger, you can apply to join BookLook bloggers and get free books in order for a review. I’ve been able to add a healthy collection to my library through this route.
Buying eBooks vs. print books- Oh this is a wonderful source of low-cost and free books! My Kindle is one of the best gifts I’ve ever received. (I have the PaperWhite- it really looks like a real book page- no glare at all.) There is the upfront cost of the Kindle, but then the world of free books is endless. Many are not worth reading, but the site eReadergirl lists free and low-cost books every single day. I have been able to download Sacred Influence, I’m No Angel, Sparkly Green Earrings, and several other read-worthy books for free or less than $3.
If you like to read, I highly recommend a Kindle. Then you can read in bed, or in the car, without a light! It’s glorious!
Do you like to read? What genres do you enjoy?
Day 3- Clothes Shopping Made Cheap and Easy
Day 1- Work With What You’ve Got (furniture up cycle)
{disclaimer: there may be affiliate links in the post, which means I’ll make approximately 4 cents if you buy through one of them. But that’s not a bad thing, is it? 🙂 }
About Kelli Hays
