How To Read On A Budget
Because we all kinda need to in this economy, right?? Right now, things are more expensive including this little thing called rent. Or your mortgage, whatever your life situation is currently. Things are expensive around here and when it comes to reading, the cost of buying multiple books a month can add up!
As someone who has tried to love her used Kindle, I am, forever and always, a physical book gal. In addition to physical books, however, I love listening to audiobooks. When I don’t have an audiobook in my ears, it’s either a podcast or Taylor Swift playing. Audiobooks are a way fantastic way to read and even though I haven’t had anyone tell me to my face directly that they don’t count as reading, I know there are audiobook haters out there.
This all being said, this is how to read on a budget.
Before I get into the post, I want to say this: I try my hardest to support small indie bookstores. I have my favorite indie bookstore that I frequent and regularly track points with. But if I’m being honest, one book can range $15-25—sometimes even more.
Now, with that all out of the way … this is how to read on a budget.
Just my tips! If you have any, or want to add onto any of these, comment down below!
Visit your local library.
Imagine you walk into a store and you can walk out any of your favorite items, if you have a membership card. You really wanted those sparkly denim jeans and a leather jacket with a heart on the sleeve. Do you wish that existed? Okay… that exists. IT’S YOUR LIBRARY! Walk into your local library (almost every town/community has one) and sign up for a membership (it’s free) and you have access to so many books. Please support your local library. I don’t use my library as much as I should, since I’ve been reading more new and trending books recently, but I need to get into more of a habit of doing so.
Get an e-reader.
Kindles can be expensive (starting at $109), but it’s a one-time purchase and a monthly membership of Kindle Unlimited is worth the money to a lot of people. What is a Kindle? Owned by Amazon, but that’s besides the point. Kindle Unlimited is $11.99 a month and you have access to thousands of books. It’s a good deal, and I know a lot of people use it and love it. A lot of people recommend the Kindle Paperwhite—it’s a good price for what you’re getting (adjustable warm light, more storage) and not as expensive as the Kindle Oasis. For other options, check out Kobo (starting at $139) or the Nook (starting at $130), which is owned by Barnes and Noble.
Thrift stores.
The first section I always visit at thrift stores is the book section. I’ll meander around the clothes for a bit, but I make a beeline for the books. There’s always a ton of books from all sorts of genres. Although it’s by pure luck whether I get good selections, thrift stores are always a great place to save money on used books. Paperbacks can range in price from $0.99 to $3! Hardcovers can be $2-3. I would definitely check out your local thrift store for books.
Sign up for book subscription boxes.
Book of the Month is a book subscription box that sends you at least one book a month—and sometimes more, with credits. At the beginning of every month, they announce five books to choose from, typically from different genres. I’m an avid romance reader, and sometimes they won’t have a romance book, but it allows me to branch out of the my typical genre, which is romance. Same goes for authors! They do a great job of highlighting debut authors.
ThriftBooks and Pangobooks.
Shop for used books on apps like ThriftBooks and Pangobooks from sellers. You can find new releases and backlist books through these apps at prices under $10. Who knows? You can turn around and sell it to another person when you’ve finished reading!
Little Free Libraries.
Have you ever seen a small, well-crafted wooden house on a pole in a neighborhood? Those are Little Free Libraries that are set up by someone in that neighborhood to leave free books for passersby! Pedestrians are encouraged to “take a book, and then leave a book.” Although you certainly don’t have to take a book! I’ve found new releases and old books in the libraries near me. Make a day out of going around to various Little Free Libraries — there may be a few in your city!
Download Libby.
With your good ole handy-dandy library card, you can sign up for Libby and rent e-books and audiobooks (for free)! This is one of the greatest things in the book world, at least in my opinion, because it’s a library at your fingertips. Free books. At your fingertips. Download the app now.
Read backlist books.
I know it can be so easy to just read all the new books that online book spaces are reading and recommending right now, but there are books from last year (or even farther back!) that weren’t as popular then and not as talked about. Maybe these are books on your TBR pile. If they’re not as popular, chances are that they are slightly less expensive. Additionally, check out mass market paperback books—most of these you can find in the grocery store or bookstores. The mass market paperback books, at least the romance ones, typically range from $8-9.
Avoid special editions.
I love seeing those special editions as much as the next bookworm, but if you’re on a budget, you can say no to the spayed edges or anniversary editions. Even if they have a bonus chapter — the authors typically upload that bonus chapter on their website or newsletter anyway. These special editions may be worth a pretty penny decades from now, but for now, you’re on a budget and there are other ways to spend your hard-earned money (like rent).
Swap books with friends.
Bonus points if everyone annotates in the books, i.e. writing notes in the margins, tabbing favorite scenes, and highlighting quotes. When you swap books with your friends, you open yourself up to your friends’ taste in books, whether it’s the same genre or different genre.
Do you have any tips on reading on a budget? Saving money while reading? Comment down below!
