Book Buying Addicts Anonymous discussion
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how do you afford your books?
message 51:
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Lupe
(new)
May 08, 2014 06:24AM
I usually never buy books at full retail value, unless it was something I HAVE to have. Usually, I shop used and at garage sales and such.
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I'm lucky that I review books for an online book review site so I'm able to get most of my books free for reviewing purchases! The rest I get from friends or even the library. I can't remember the last time I actually purchased a book. It's a good thing because as much as I read I'd be broke otherwise!!
Ok. I like buying new and as I spend all the household money on the house, kids and hubby instead of myself.....I do not see the problem with going out and treating myself when I see something in the bookstore or on Amazon that screams 'buy me buy me!'. I also buy stuff other than books on Amazon so when the kids or hubby need me to order something for them online.....well I might as well make that order worth it, right? Gotta make sure there is enough in that cart to get the free shipping. I never make an online order without adding a book or two in as a treat for me. So without buying all sorts of new clothes and that sort of thing, I get to spend more on books when I want them :) It works. The better question is how do I afford my shoes...... :/
My hubby loves to fish, that is a pretty expensive hobby, lol. For Father's Day, his birthday, etc, I buy pre-paid gift cards for him. He returns the favor by giving me money to apply on my various accounts to buy books. Of course that does not count the books that jump into my cart when I shop at Walmart or Target, lol
I save for the library book sales. Also on Better World Books web site. Cheap and great customer service. I always keep extra books to read when I am short cash. I never run out!! Prepare!!
Don't forget the humble ebook bundle where you can pay what you want: https://www.humblebundle.com/books
Fiona...i hate it when ppl bleed on book pgs
Even couldn't afford essential college books all those years when I was just exploited from my pockets, wallet etc. I guess library is still the best thing for me to read.
Hey, everyone! New here... followed Tina when I saw the group in her feed. ;) As to buying books... I used to be sooo spoiled when I was young and working, and could go into Borders and stuff my cart regularly, but now I've gotta get really creative, as I'm stuck home with health yuck, and have teensy book budget. I've gotten really lucky with sources like Craigslist local listings for huge lots of books for sale, and the already mentioned by many yard sales/99c purchases in kindle store, and 99c used books at amazon/half.com. Thrift stores are great, though I have to say, Goodwills near me are getting awfully big for their britches' with book cost... its not unusual to see a used title for $4, which I find nutty. I've bought near new designer jeans that cost less than that at Goodwill. ;) Also, I HAUNT the local library sales, as most in the few states I've lived in recently do a 1x or 2x a year sale where they 'liquidate' extra copies of books for 25c to $1... even for hard copies. Niiiice. That's when I drop $50 to $100 and kill my book budget for 6 mos, but might walk out of there with 150 new to me books! Yay!
I used to be a diehard 'Print only' book person, but recently inherited a truckload of amazing e books from a good friend who's sadly become legally blind, and simply can't read on a Nook/Kindle any longer. She was a rabid book buyer, had the funds to indulge, plus years worth of book gifts from her kids and grandkids. I was so blessed in her kindness, and it was the Best Gift Ever! I'll never be able to thank her enough. Another buddy kindly passed me her old Nook device round the same time (so I wasn't tied to reading ebooks on puter any longer) so I'm a huge fan of ebooks now. Now that I've found GR and am doing ARC reviews, that's even better. Free books? Yes, Please!
Also, I've heard of people doing this, but never tried myself... people do kindle/nook swaps. I don't mean lend a title or two, but literally swap their entire reader device or memory card with a friend for a month or two, read all they can, and then return em. I don't know if its frowned upon or not... can't imagine that it would be, as there's only one 'copy' of the book being used, but that struck me as brilliant. lol
Eric wrote: "Don't forget the humble ebook bundle where you can pay what you want: https://www.humblebundle.com/books"Oh wow... never heard of that source, Eric!!! HUGE thanks!
John wrote: "auctions, auctions, auctions, they are always cheap by the box lots. Plus it is such great fun to find whats in the boxes after you get home. I spent over 20 years buying books this way."You don't by any chance have some handy dandy 'find local auctions near you with books by the ton' source you might offer, do you? Didn't know auctions did that, and am not sure how to track them down. Either way, thanks for the great idea!
I do almost all of the above, I budget, I go to yard sales and thrift stores, I look for sales on Amazon, go to used book stores, ask for them on holidays, my husband finds books for me. Books are the only thing I collect. Everything else in my life is bought because it's needed.
Huh.. that's a great find, Tina! I've no idea how few of those are around in that edition, but if there aren't many, that could possibly be worth a bit, perhaps?Kind of the opposite of the original question, but does anyone have any suggestions for selling unneeded books, and getting the most money for em?
What about ebay at a buy it now rather than bidding
I budget for books. Sometimes not very well. I buy mostly from independent bookstores or from used bookstores. I do order some from Amazon as well.
Afsana wrote: "What about ebay at a buy it now rather than bidding"That's a great idea, and one I'd considered... my only concern is the shipping cost. I can't imagine someone paying more than a buck or two for a used book... add in shipping, that becomes much more cost prohibitive. I had thought about offering 'chunks' or small lots of books for sale on amazon, though. May look into how much a series or two would weigh, and if that would be reasonable. So funny... as a broke avid reader, I want to get money for my unneeded books... as much as possible... but at the same time, I can't see asking someone to pay more than i'd be willing to for the same. lol Seems mean. ;)
First of all, you need to make a list of books you are willing to sell. Second, look them up on eBay and amazon and see if other copies are listed and at what price, I ave bought books thru amazon independent retailers and paid more fr shipping than the cost if the book, lol. This will give you an idea of FAIR MARKET VALUE, that is not the same as yard sale alum or used book store value.
lol... I have as well. I went on a bender buying 1c books a few years ago, only to realize months into it that at $3.99 shipping per, I was paying more than a 'reasonable' cost copy's listprice. ;) Those were the days when I could afford to be oblivious about such things. Great advice, thanks! I'll definitely start there, and see if online sales are a good market.and Lee... not so much soft-hearted as one who's been slapped around by what can only be karma (I blame my previous lives... half joking) and is now very careful to tread kindly and compassionately through the world, when possible. ;)
OddModicum Rachel wrote: "Eric wrote: "Don't forget the humble ebook bundle where you can pay what you want: https://www.humblebundle.com/books"Oh wow... never heard of that source, Eric!!! HUGE thanks!"
You are welcome. Humble Bundle book sales are here and there in between video game sales. For a constant stream of book bundles - a couple weeks ago I discovered http://storybundle.com/ and I've already bought 2/4 of the recent bundles.
I quit drinking years ago, that in itself saved a few grand a year, that goes towards books, plus I don't smoke.
first i check my library for the book, if it doesnt have it, i check for ebook on overdrive or open library and check it out there, if its a book that seems to be popular with crummy people e.g. bukowski,books popular to homeless people, etc , i learned to find ebook or buy for cheap on abe books. im poor myself so i dont want to sound ignorant but i learned first hand if you check out an aforementioned book its going to be so filthy you could catch a disease, i even found a dead beadbug in one library book thats popular with lower class people. disgusting, most of them saturated in food, god only knows what kind of bodily fluids, people reading them on toilet etc. grossed me out totally when i realised it. on abe books im usually able to get a book for 4 dollars shipping included, most ive spent on a book is 7-10 bucks shipping included.
i forgot , better world books is good too, they have this bargain section you get like 4 books for 12 bucks, and i noticed with BWB the book you get is actually in the described condition and quite often in better condition, with abe books sometimes you get a book thats worse off than described.
OddModicum Rachel wrote: "John wrote: "auctions, auctions, auctions, they are always cheap by the box lots. Plus it is such great fun to find whats in the boxes after you get home. I spent over 20 years buying books this..."I see you live out west , the auctions I went to are in the north east. Delaware, Md, and Penna. But really any Estate auction.
I usually hunt for cheap books and recently I have discovered two websites where really decent books in excellent quality are starting from £0.99 and there are many books that are £1.99 for example I bought The Maze Runner trilogy plus the prequel for just £9.99 and the first ten Sookie Stackhouse series books for only £6.99. And may I remind you that all of the books are brand new with no damages at all. My first delivery arrived yesterday so I can guarantee you that the books are as if they would be brand new. Also the deliveries are really fast if you live in UK; I ordered my books on Saturday and received them on Monday. The only disadvantage is that they sometimes don't send all of your order at the same time so it arrives in parts. Also if you spend more than £20 or £25 on your order you qualify for free delivery if you are UK resident. (I'm not sure they have international deliveries but you can check) The websites are: www.theworks.co.uk free delivery to UK residents for purchases higher than £20
and www.thebookpeople.co.uk free delivery to UK residents for purchases higher than £25
I also buy books from charity shops, library sales and any other places where books can be bought for cheap price in good condition.
And never forget giveaways! I have got some quite good books from giveaways.
But that doesn't mean that I don't buy brand new books from bookshops such as Waterstones, I usually get some gift cards and I spend them as soon as possible so if I get a gift card for £30 I will buy something for £50 so that I only spend £20 from my own pocket.
I didn't have a 'local' bookstore until just a few years ago. Thankfully, when one opened up it was Books a million because their bargain section is a Godsend. When I do go there, I head straight to that section to find great sales on books I would've paid full price for. It's hard to wait for a book to hit bargain price though, which is why I read new releases on my kindle and then pick up a hardcopy when it hits.
I also have their membership. $25 a year for coupons and free shipping online with no minimum order.
Someone in another group of mine just mentioned amazon prime lending library. I'm a Prime member, and didn't know they had a kindle lending library, so I went to check it out. Won't work for me since I use a nook to read kindle titles, not an actual kindle... but for anyone who is or has thought of joining Amazon prime (its a rather great deal when you count in all the on demand Netflix like programming they have included, HBO, etc).... You have to own a kindle, but you can get 1 book per month. From what I can tell, they don't expire. So I guess in essence you get to keep em? Anyway, figured I'd mention that in case anyone like me didn't know about it. Free 12 books a year is a nice bonus. ;) The link is kind of hard to find, so here it is. http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/custome...
OddModicum Rachel wrote: "Someone in another group of mine just mentioned amazon prime lending library. I'm a Prime member, and didn't know they had a kindle lending library, so I went to check it out. Won't work for me sin..."I am an Amazon Prime member. If you just do the Kindle lending that comes with the Prime membership then you do have to mark that you are finished and return it before you "check" out another book and it is only 1 per month. So, if I borrowed a book today then I would be eligible to borrow again on Sept 1. But, if I had not returned the book by Sept 1 and went to borrow another book I would have to return it or wait until I finished the current borrowed book. But, they have been advertising one that is $9.99/month with what they say is "unlimited" reading. I have not looked into that one.
Mod
The thing that bugs me about what Amazon is doing here is that so many public libraries have been doing the exact same thing for much longer now, but with one difference, it's FREE from the public library! I suggest checking out what your local library has to offer before giving more money to Amazon.
Sage advice. I love my library. With 40 branches in the co-op they are a god send for me. I try to get all the books from the series I follow that are first released in hardback from them. I wait till mass market size is reissued to buy for my collection
Joseph wrote: "Tiffany wrote: "OddModicum Rachel wrote: "Someone in another group of mine just mentioned amazon prime lending library. I'm a Prime member, and didn't know they had a kindle lending library, so I w...":o) Joseph, I do that too. If I don't get my free books from Amazon or any other free sites, I'll check my library circuits if they have it. The most I've had to do was wait a month (I was in que over 100) for the book. That's it!. Can't really beat free.
Tiffany wrote: "OddModicum Rachel wrote: "Someone in another group of mine just mentioned amazon prime lending library. I'm a Prime member, and didn't know they had a kindle lending library, so I went to check it ..."Tiffany wrote: "OddModicum Rachel wrote: "Someone in another group of mine just mentioned amazon prime lending library. I'm a Prime member, and didn't know they had a kindle lending library, so I went to check it ..."
Hi Tiffany, I tried the Kindle Unlilmited month free trial. I found that (within the month, I had cancelled it two days ago when my month was up) you can only borrow 10 books at a time. If you borrow more, you'd have to return the books in your Unlimited que before the new one can be uploaded into your Kindle device. Also at the end of my free trial, I found out I couldn't keep the books that was in my kindle once I cancelled. it wasn't worth $9.99 a month for "unlimited". Most of the books Unlimited Kindle offers, I can borrow at my libraries.
Joseph wrote: "Tiffany wrote: "OddModicum Rachel wrote: "Someone in another group of mine just mentioned amazon prime lending library. I'm a Prime member, and didn't know they had a kindle lending library, so I w..."I'm with you Joseph and Linda. I am a Prime Member for the shipping and the streaming. I love utilizing the "real library" for my books including the eBook formats.
Well said, about the libraries! There's actually links around that 'prime lending library' that will lead you to Overdrive and your local library lending program. I have yet to sign up for mine for electronic books... so need to do that! https://www.overdrive.com/And thanks for correcting that about the 'prime' books. Didn't quite seem right that they didn't have to be returned, but it was phrased funny. lol
That new 'kindle unlimited' program seems an excellent deal for anyone who wants to own the books, electronically, and can swing the $10/mo, and usually spends much more than that on kindles. I'd say 7 out of 10 books I've looked at lately are included in the Kindle unlimited program, so it seems pretty well covered, at least for some genres. I haven't tried the free month yet... waiting for a month when I've got some extra time, so I can gorge on books.
Personally, I've been thrilled lately by BookGorilla. Its an app and/or email notification thing you sign up for... I know there are others that do the same thing. But basically you tell it which genres interest you, and once a day get an email of which books in genre are FREE, and which are seriously discounted. I'd say I'm averaging 5 books Free per day from that one. They're not necessarily stuff that I'm dying to read at the top of my TBR, but they're interesting, certainly. And they do have killer deals on huge bestsellers, and occasionally you'll get one of them for free, also. Definitely a worthwhile way to spend 5 mins a day doing 'buy with 1 click' to get free books. ;) And unlike just hunting at amazon for free books, the Book Gorilla ones at least have very good reviews, so its a better use of my time. Plus, I've gotten a bunch of 99 cent deals on bundles or series of 6 books, which is an amazing deal. I'd never have found those deals without bookgorilla emails clueing me in.
My boyfriend's mum always gets me gift cards for book stores, which is always useful on a student budget! Otherwise it's charity shop finds, or pleading to the parents. =P Although, I confess, I spent £100 on comics not too long ago; how did I afford it? Quite simply, I couldn't. I just went without other things for as long as was necessary!
I will buy new or used, but mostly used right now because we have a limited budget. I like to buy new if I can because I want to support authors, but honestly, I can't always afford it, especially because I prefer hard copies over e-books. However, both my husband and I feel that books are important, so we do add to our library on a semi-regular basis. My personal policy for books is that, if it's fiction, it must be re-readable in order for me to buy it and keep it (so if it's Jasper Fforde, we're buying it new even if neither of us has read it yet). I rely a lot on the library's selection because of that. If I've checked out it a few times, it'll often end up on the "to buy" list because I know I'll be reading it again. Nonfiction's easier to buy if I haven't read it yet, since it can always be a reference (hence my rapidly expanding collection of philosophy and linguistics). I usually put books on Christmas lists, and any trips to visit my parents in Portland include a visit to Powell's.
I rarely buy new books because they have gotten ridiculous on their prices. For my kindle, I am a member of bookbub so I get daily deals sent to me and I have almost 400 free or 0.99 books loaded already! I also love to go to our local resale book store where you can take your books, trade them in for credits (a % of the books original price) that can be used in purchasing other books (Also based on price %). I have spent hours in secondhand book stores just browsing all the wonderful books out there!
My mother and I are huge book buyers, and we normally go to estate sales, auctions, or garage sales for books along with Barnes & Noble! My mom is excellent at finding books, she spent $5 and got 5 boxes of books! Sometimes there are books we aren't interested in and we donate those to our local library. There's a free book section that we drop them off at. Recently we discovered a Goodwill store that only sells books! The highest price is $2 for a hardback!
Yesterday I bought 10 books for $30, which includes shipping. I'll be happy when that package arrives.
Joanne...how fun for you when that package arrives, going thru and deciding which ones to read first.
I'm a bookbub fan too and I'm a member of other sites like Midlist and eReaderIQ Daily, that give me free books daily. If I do buy a book, it's not more than 0.99 through my Kindle/Amazon. Love to read but don't have much physical space at home.
To be honest I don't like buying books when they are at full price, there's always a way around it. Most weekends I'll go o a book store and take pictures of the books I like if they're at full price and I go on things like Amazon or go to other local shops that sell them cheaper. Also a lot of book stores have offers and I tend to go for them when it comes to purchasing books, I'm not sure if other countries have this but in the UK we have The Works which sells books for really low prices and is my go-to place for books that are uncommon or aren't very popular anymore (they hype is over etc). I bought 6 books at £1 each which saved me way more than going to a mainstream book shop for it. For people in the UK I also find HMV to be a good place for books and on occasion Game too! I recently bought the first five books in The Mortal Instruments series for £15, which is normally just the price of two books and then the first two Game of Thrones books for around £6 from HMV and Game respectively. I don't like buying second hand books, my worst nightmare is a book with a cracked spine that's covered in food with tea stains everywhere so I try to avoid doing so if possible, more often than not the kindle version is just as expensive as a second hand version so I buy the kindle edition instead.
I also prioritise, so if one month there are a lot of books I want then I'll spend more money on them and less on other luxuries (I get pocket money until I can get a job) but to be honest I would rather spend all my money on books rather than getting new clothes, I also have to make sure there's a balance between buying stationery and buying books too!
I just love getting a mixture of new and second hand books. but it depends on my budget for the week really.
I rarely buy clothes or shoes and I never take vacations. That's how I can afford to buy books!
Virginia wrote: "I work at a charity shop 18 hours a week with a steady stream of temptation, so what I buy with my 20% discount keeps me pretty busy."Snap! I buy almost every time I'm in. Thank God for discounts!
Given all these comments, I'm surprised no one has come across the Books for Free Shops (UK): https://beta.healthyplanet.org/what-w... - basically they take books that are a little beaten-up etc and destined to be ragged and give them away. They are based in shops that are up for let while the owners look for new tenants. Apart from that, most of my books come from charity shops/fetes/jumble sales etc. I rarely pay more than £1.99 for a book and most of them I get for 50p - £1.50. It's amazing the books you come across in charity shops and I buy all sorts of things. It keeps my reading quite diverse, whereas if I'm buying something full price, I want to be fairly sure I'm going to like it before I invest. As I work in a couple of charity shops I often give books that aren't good enough to be put in the shop a new home for a few pence too =)
Oh, and BookBub - obviously!
i take care of my grandmother and she pays me in 3 dollar books from better world books or abe books
Sounds like a great arter program to me. You are a good grand child
Fiona wrote: "I value everything by how many books I could get with it. I don't wear make up and don't use anything other than shampoo and conditioner in my hair so save a lot on all that crap. Besides, I thin..."
This. I sometimes still wear clothes I had in high school. And I usually buy my books used. I go to several annual booksales, and I frequently buy books used on Amazon or Alibris or ABEBooks.com for $4 or $5. My biggest source of books, though, is Paperbackswap.com. It's a lifesaver. Usually I only buy new books if I need them for school and can't get them used, or if it's a new release by one of my top favorite authors (and these are few and far between). Or, I guess, when I find books cheap on clearance and such.
Well, I'm a full time University student (outside the USA) so my sheldule is 08:00-20:00 and I get the money from part-time jobs, parents, grandmother... I collect it for books and albums of Peter Murphy and Faun. Most of the time I keep my "pace" by buying 10+ books per month and I'm happy if I manage it. Books, beyond plants, animals and knowledge are my greatest passion.
