I am guilty of spending way too much money on books. One of my goals this year was to spend less on books. I like to think I am doing better. Here are a few tricks that helped me save money on books.

1. Go to the Library

Ok. Ok. I know this one is obvious. I also know this is probably not why you wanted to read this blog post, but hear me out. The only reason I included this one is because I struggled with it for a long time. I thought I had to own every book I read. Luckily, I am getting over that idea. The best part is if I’m not enjoying a book I can dnf it without worrying about wasted money.

2. Buy Used Books

You will be suprised at what great books you can find at your local thrift stores. Don’t be afraid to give them a try. I got my copy of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows for $1.00 at a thrift store in my hometown. You just can’t beat it. There are also some great used bookstores online like Thriftbooks. I have purchased from them several times and I have been satisfied.

3. Hunt Coupons, Shop Sales

Sometimes you just can’t find the books you want at the library. And if it is a new release you’re hunting chances are it will be hard to find used. Sometimes you have to go to the bookstore. My tip for that is hunt coupons. Books a Million is great about giving coupons. They almost alway have them available. Don’t buy anything retail price. There is no reason to have to. If you sign up for their e-mail newsletters you will get coupons often. They also run sales often. Stock up when you see a sale or if you have a coupon. It will save you money in the long run.

4. Join Memberships

If you’re like me you shop online a lot. In that case if the store you use the most has a membership, join it. I was skeptical of joining memberships, but then I added up how much I was spending on shipping each time. With Books a Million you spend $25 on a membership and you get free shipping for a year, plus a lot of other member exclusive goodies. I saved money on shipping in no time.

5. Use Cash Back Apps

Again, for my online shoppers, use cash back apps. You get cash back on every purchase and I promise that adds up quickly. I use Rakuten. I have never had any problems with it. The best part is getting the Big Fat Check in the mail. I usually deposit it straight into my savings account. Not only will you get cash back for using it you sometimes they offer coupons that I didn’t even know were available.

6. Hold Yourself Accountable

Finally, my favorite tip. Write down every time you purchase a book. I keep a spread in my bullet journal where I add up how much money I spend on books every month. It helps to see that number on paper. If the amount you spent on books hurts at the end of the month it’s time to change your habit. Enforce a book buying ban for a week or two or go to your library more. If you can see the results of your shopping you can adjust the habit accordingly.

Like I said before, I am still learning so if you have any tips to save money on books let me know!

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