I’ve been chatting with a college gal pal, Lady Vanessa of Silly Eagle Books lately and it’s got me thinking about words, words, words.
I don’t think I mention it enough but I’m absolutely addicted to books. I have a.l.o.t. of books – kids books, fiction books, faith based books, history books (TONS of these), books that are pretty, books that are old, books that make you cry, books that make you laugh, cookbooks, coloring books, books, books, books!
But books can be expensive. And they take up a lot of space in your house. So how do you save money when it comes to books? Here are a few of my favorite tips:
1) Use the library. Shocker, I know. But there are some titles that I don’t need to own. Or I only find out that I’d like to own after I check them out from the library. If you have a good public library, you have no excuse! I actually spend some time browsing at home online, reserve the books, wait until they’re available and just pick them up at the desk. Saves money, time, and my sanity as there is no such things as browsing for big people books with a 2 year old.
2) Used Books. Half Priced Books is a great place to shop but I really prefer Amazon and Half. When we started getting out of debt, I put up several books to sell on Half and have successfully sold around $300 worth of books (bit by bit) in a little over 18 months. Not too shabby, right? I’ve put every penny (plus the reimbursable postage) on the debt snowball. While I haven’t used either, I’ve heard good things about Paperback Swap and Book Mooch (cutest little site eva).
3) Birthday Book Parties. When our Eldest Daughter turned one, we asked the guests to simply bring one book as a gift. We have a phenomenal children’s library as a result. We’ve also been blessed to do this a couple of years in the classroom at school for a Christmas gift swap. It’s helpful in cutting down on the number of toys you have to clean up and the books are transferable to younger siblings (we’ve done similar things with DVDs and CDs, too). I always list some books on the Christmas wish list, too.
4) Host a Book Swap. Have multiple copies of a particular title? Have a little gathering where everyone brings a book (or two) to trade. Just be sure you leave with the same # of books you came with so that the host doesn’t have a stack of multiple copies.
If you have a book that you’ve finished and you don’t think you’ll read again (and you think it’s worthwhile), by all means give a friend said book. I’ve given away pregnancy books and simply asked folks to write their name in it and have the next person do the same, passing it along. Bless someone with a book. It might change their day, their world, or their life. You never know.
What about you? What do you do to save money on books?
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I love to use paperbackswap.com. Basically you put the books up that you want to share with a member. You pay the media mail shipping to the person who wants your book and then you get a book credit. You can pick out a book or go on a waiting list for a book you really want. I have saved over $170 using this and have gotten some really good finds!
I love paperbackswap.com. Have posted all the books I’ve bought over the years that I don’t want anymore. When people request my book, I mail it, receive credit, and then shop for a new book. My second favorite is to borrow from family. They are a great resource 🙂
Our public library in Topeka has fabulous book sales throughout the year and they also have a booktique that we go to often. Not only do we buy from the library, but we also donate. Another thing I do so that books don’t pile up in my house: When I travel I try to take along one or two books that I am almost finished with, or can finish by the end of the trip. When I am done, I leave the book in the hotel room or at the airport with a note to “please read or pass along.” I like to imagine where those books have ended up.
Great to know that it’s effective! I just might have to try it sometime soon.
Another vote for Paperback Swap. I did accidentally leave off the First Library of Mom, too.
You’re my kind of girl Lady Barbara!
Wow!! You really know Vanessa! We have become bloggy friends over the past few months and I just spotlighted her on my blog. She’s such a warm and real blogger!
I do know Lady Vanessa and she’s a sweetheart! 🙂 She’s always been that warm and real. We lived on the same hall in college almost 15 years ago.