Tips like these helped us pay off $127K in debt. You can read our story in Slaying the Debt Dragon: How One Family Conquered Their Money Monster and Found an Inspired Happily Ever After.
I love nothing more than curling up with a good book. Electronic or paper, fiction or nonfiction, purchased or from the library, reading is a joy. Luckily, it can also be a very frugal source of entertainment. But if you’re a money saving bookworm like me, you’re always looking for ways to read your favorite titles and new releases without spending a lot of money. Check out some ways to save money on books.
You Don’t Need a Kindle to Read Kindle Books
Surprise! You don’t need a fancy e-reader to read electronic books. Amazon’s Kindle app can be downloaded to any smart phone, laptop, desktop, or tablet device. It is a free app and gives you access to many free classic reads. Dickens, Verne, Hugo, Joyce, Twain – over 8000 titles total can be downloaded for absolutely free. After downloading the app, simply search for Free Popular Classics. Amazon also offers eBooks for free on a regular basis or at a deeply discounted rate. Check the Kindle Book Deals page to see 100s of books for under $4. The Kindle Bestseller page includes a list of the top 100 paid titles and the top 100 free titles, too.
Request New Releases from the Library
I LOVE our public library. I’m there at least three times week and sometimes more. I love to use the WiFi. I love the numerous free workshops and classes. I love to let my girls pick out DVDs to watch at home. But of course most of all, I love the books. Children’s books, memoirs, popular fiction and more have all come home with me thanks to my trusty library card. As a part of the Evergreen system, I have access to a host of libraries throughout Indiana. If the particular title I’m looking for isn’t available from one of them, I can request that book to be purchased on the library’s website. Fill out a simple form and if it gets approved, you receive an e-mail notification. When I’m browsing at the bookstore, I often snap a picture of a cover with my phone to later look for it at the library. Many libraries often lend out eBooks now, too! Ask your local librarian if this might be an option that works for you.
Join Book Rewards or Review Networks
A number of publishers have great programs for those willing to read and review books. Use an Internet search engine to locate publisher’s websites and then look for potential opportunities or use the terms “Book Review Program.” The Tyndale Rewards program is one of my very favorites. Filling out simple surveys gives you points that you can in turn cash in to receive free books.
Buy and Sell Books on half.com
One of my very favorite websites for all things reading is half.com. A subsidiary of eBay, half.com allows you to both buy and sell used books for only a small fee (paid upon completion of sell). This site allows you to both feed and support your reading habit. I sold quite a few books on half.com while we were paying off debt. I became a master at competitively pricing the books we were selling and re-using packing materials we received to cut down on my shipping expenses.
Paperback Swap
Yet another book friendly money saving site you should check out is PaperbackSwap.com. This site allows you to both sell and to swap used books. With over four million books to choose from, Paperback Swap claims to be the world’s largest book club! All you pay for is the postage.
Loosing yourself in a good book doesn’t require you to loose the shirt off your back. You can easily read the day away if you practice some creativity and intentionality.
If you live locally, come and see me at Irvington Library this Tuesday March 10th at 6:30 PM for a book signing and discussion about Slaying the Debt Dragon: How One Family Conquered Their Money Monster and Found an Inspired Happily Ever After. Bookmamas will be there selling copies of the book if you haven’t purchased yours yet and I’ll be happy to sign it!
My book is now available: Slaying the Debt Dragon: How One Family Conquered Their Money Monster and Found an Inspired Happily Ever After. You can also check out Inspiration to Pay Off Debt: 30 Days of Encouragement from the Queen of Free on Kindle.
This post contains an affiliate link. That means when you get a great deal or maybe even something for free, you also help our family pay off our mortgage early. And for that, we royally thank you!
Danise Jurado says
Hi Cheri!!
Just leaving you a little comment {love}
Great tips! I never knew about half.com !!
I pray God continues to bless your life in every way!!
Have a wonderful day sweet friend!