The Library - save money on books

I am fortunate to have a decent library in my area. While I live in a town with a satellite library, I am able to acquire books from any of the other libraries in its system within just a few days. In fact, I most often request them online at the library's site, which I find quite convenient!

I used to spend a decent amount of money at Borders and Barnes & Noble, but then I got to thinking... unless I had to own the book in question, then why buy it? In all honesty, I rarely read a book twice. So why pay for a book if I could avoid it? I started requesting books that I wished to read or even suggesting some to see if the library would acquire them on their own. Often, this meant that I was the first to read a particular book, so no need for worrying about all those germs spreading around! So now, I buy a lot fewer books at retail prices.

One exception to buying books is if your child has a favorite book that spends more time at your house than in the library itself. Such was the case with Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star. This book is was so beloved by my child that I purchased it new from Amazon. In all honestly, I paid more in fines for not finding it to return it than I did for the book when I bought it. I considered the purchase from Amazon a gift to my sanity (no need to feverishly look for the book to return it) as well as a gift to my pocket book.

Another source I have found is eBay, though I do find half.com to be more cost effective. If my library doesn't carry the book or cannot get it for me, I try to find a cheaper alternative than buying it new. There are also many paperback swap sites online that are flourishing. I have not yet taken the plunge there, but I am not against it. Right now, most of my used books get mailed to my sister for her to enjoy. Plus, it is nice to discuss a book with someone else.

If you have an established play group, I suggest the idea of exchanging books your children didn't like with other families. Sort of a round robin. It will get you fresh books every so often, you won't have to buy any, and it is a great way to save money as well.