Search Results for: blog paper back swap vs the library

Bringing Baby to the Library: The Children’s Room

The library can be a rewarding experience for both you and your baby. If you missed the earlier article about this topic, just click here: Bringing Baby to the Library. Now let’s take a look at the children’s room at the library, including what you should look for before making an extended visit. The children’s room is very important, since you will be spending a lot of time in it. You want to find one that is bright, clean and isolated a bit from the rest of the library so you and your baby will be free to explore without … Continue reading →

Library Tricks

Of course the library can be a wealth of frugality, but did you know that there are a few tricks that can help make the library even more of an asset? That is right. You can take a frugal and wonderful thing such as the free library and make it work even more for you. Here is how. Save on gas and late fees Most libraries will allow you to renew your books online, over the phone or both. Take advantage of this to save on late fees and the gas you would use for a trip to the library … Continue reading →

Library Book Crisis

Have you ever scrambled around, charging through your house looking for lost library books? Or worse, forgetting that you even had the books in the first place until you get a notice from the library? I can share a little solution that works well for us. We have books from our local public library plus books that my son checks out from his school library. Since I started this system, I have never lost a book or have been late with one yet! And even better, this solution helped resolve a misunderstanding that could have cost us some real money. … Continue reading →

Buying Books from the Library

Did you know that most libraries sell books for a real bargain? Some even give books away for free. I did well adding to my book collection, yesterday with my trip to the local library. Okay, I know, I know. I just wrote about using Paper Back Swap versus checking out books from the library. As I mentioned in that article, there is a lot to be said for using Paper Back Swap as my main supply source for feeding my reading habit. But, with yesterday’s trip to the local library, I think I may have the best of both … Continue reading →

Paper Back Swap vs The Library

I think I am finally coming around to the idea of using Paper Back Swap. At first, I didn’t think it was a very frugal choice. After all, there is still the cost of mailing the books: $2.13 to $2.47 (more for delivery confirmation), whereas getting books from the library is free. Of course, you don’t get to keep the library books, whereas with Paper Back Swap you can add favorite books to your personal shelves permanently. Oh, in case you aren’t familiar with Paper Back Swap, the way it works is pretty simple. You join and upload nine or … Continue reading →

Confirmed! Postal Price Increase

You might have read the earlier post about my thought that the postal rate was going to be increased. Well I can now say that this information is confirmed. The postal service released an announcement late yesterday that stated that there will in fact be an increase in first class stamps and other postage starting in May, on May 11th to be exact. This does give you time to stock up on the forever stamp to save money. The Forever stamps can be used as first class postage at any time, even for future increases. Right now, you’ll pay the … Continue reading →

75 Things You Can Do to Save Money

If you need or want to tighten your budget, there are so many things that you can do to save money. Pick a few from the list and get started today, or try them all. It will be nice to have some extra money available. Mow your own lawn and perform lawn care yourself. Drink water instead of flavored drinks. Get rid of the cleaning service. Perform your own minor repairs, such as patching a hole or fixing a leaky faucet. Change your oil in the car. Paint a room yourself. Hand wash clothing instead of taking it to the … Continue reading →

Optimizing Our Errands 2

This is part 2 of a 2-part series. If you missed the first article earlier today, click here: Optimizing Our Errands. After lunch, we visited the library to return books and stock up on enough reading and listening material to last us six weeks (the maximum amount of time we can hold items). I estimate that getting extra books and CDs shaved off at least one extra library trip. I decided not to take out any DVDs, since these are due in three days time and would require an extra trip back to the library. We have plenty of movies … Continue reading →

Fun Book Storage Ideas

Do you have books spilling every which way and all over the house? Here are some fun and practical ideas for book storage. Cookbooks Store your cookbooks in the kitchen, where they can be easily accessed. I keep mine in a glass-fronted pantry in the kitchen. The books add to the decor of the space and make everything look warm and inviting. Here is a de-cluttering tip: Go through your cookbooks and add a post it not on the pages of every recipe you regularly make or have tried. If a book has less than five post it notes, consider … Continue reading →

Getting Bestsellers for Free

I love browsing through the bookstore. There is just so much there. Before my frugal living days, it wouldn’t be odd for me to walk into a bookstore and emerge an hour later will a pile of books and $300 less in my account. Did I mention that I love books? Of course now I employ other strategies to feed my book habit, such as trading with friends, going to book sales, hitting the library and using paperbackswap.com. But one thing I miss about those spending sprees is discovering new books and pouring through the glossy bestsellers. The bookstore always … Continue reading →