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Saving Cash by Checking Out Books from the Library: Your Guide to Achieving Fiscal Frugalness

Uncover the secret of a thrifty author who slashed his expenses by a substantial amount by making full use of the public library for a year. Gain insight into the cost-cutting breakdown and handy tips to help you reduce your own spending with...

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Uncover the cost-saving strategy of a writer who opted for a year-long library membership. Dive...
Uncover the cost-saving strategy of a writer who opted for a year-long library membership. Dive into the detailed breakdown of expenses butchered and smart tips to slash your own costs.

Saving Cash by Checking Out Books from the Library: Your Guide to Achieving Fiscal Frugalness

Library Savings: A Personal Account of Pages, Pockets, and Profit

Hey there bookworm! If you've been scoping out our website lately, you've probably spotted something on your receipt: a magical number - it's not a chargey fee, but a simple reminder of your savings. That's right, our library is here to let you know just how much moolah you're saving by borrowing books instead of buying 'em.

Now, ever since I jumped onboard this book-borrowing bandwagon, my book-devouring habits have skyrocketed...like a space shuttle taking off fromsaturation point. I started reading way more than I ever would've if I were limited to book buying. So naturally, I started crunching some numbers to find out exactly how much money I've saved so far.

This mighty math endeavor, my friends, required some serious number crunching. But with a determined stride and calculator in hand, I took on the challenge.

Fun Fact: To keep track of what I've already read and what's next on my list, I use the "My Library Dashboard" function on my *Library Account. To navigate my reading past, present, and future, I utilize the "For Later," "In Progress," and "Completed*" sections. No wonder my dashboard looks like the control center of the Starship Enterprise.

Here's a look at my current dashboard: [Screenshot of dashboard goes here]

Now, not every book I've read has found a cozy spot in the "Completed" section. Some were left unfinished due to lack of time or interest, while others I simply forgot to add because they were a spontaneous checkout. Needless to say, I won't be including every single one of the 221 books in this calculation. After all, I did end up buying a handful of favorites, which means I didn't exactly save money by reading them at the library - just delayed the spending. So, 221 is more like 204.

Now, here are a few things to ponder before we reveal the grand total of my savings:

  1. None of the books were audiobooks (since they cost more than their physical counterparts)
  2. Most of them were recent releases at the time of reading (a bit pricier than mass-market books)
  3. Most were hardcover (way costlier than paperback)

Got all that? Keeping it fresh in your mind?

Great.

Ta-da! I saved a grand total of $4,572.13

Yep, that's right. I've read OVER THOUSANDS of dollars worth of books in just two years. That's an average of $20.40 per book.

If you're like me, you're feeling a tinge of wallet pain at the mere idea of spending that much on anything. Your bank account is breathing a sigh of sheer relief. Your pockets are grateful, your mind is buzzing with books, and your heart is ready to explode with literary love.

Here's the thing: that's just what I've saved so far. There's no telling how much more I'll save as I keep devouring pages and pages of books. Keeping this journey going is non-negotiable, because, well, there are way too many books to read and way too little time to do it in!

What about you?

Curious to know how much you've saved this year at our beloved library? Check out Syracuse University's handy calculator to crunch those savings numbers. Not only does it account for book borrowing, but also printing, computer usage, and attending programs.

Calculator? More like Savings Savior!

Want to save even more? Don't forget that your library card also grants you access to streaming services like Netflix and Spotify! Just think about it - free movies, music, and magazines at your fingertips!

But even if you're only here for the books, you're probably still savingsmores than you think. So, I'll go back to reading and leave you with one tantalizing question: how much can you read when you don't have to worry about your wallet? Ready to find out? Here are some of my favorite 2024 books to get you started.

Camp Damascus - Bell, Iris

Camp Damascus - Bell, Iris**

When the Angels Left the Old Country - Tingle, Chuck

When the Angels Left the Old Country - Tingle, Chuck**

Lamb, Sacha - Lamb, Sacha

Lamb, Sacha - Lamb, Sacha**

All Systems Red - Chen, Mike

All Systems Red - Chen, Mike**

Eat your Heart Out - Wells, Martha

Eat Your Heart Out - Wells, Martha**

Spider-Punk - deVos, Kelly

Spider-Punk - deVos, Kelly**

. Battle of the Banned - deVos, Kelly

. Battle of the Banned - deVos, Kelly**

The Secret Lives of Country Gentlemen - Ziglar, Cody

The Secret Lives of Country Gentlemen - Ziglar, Cody**

Bury Your Gays - Charles, KJ

Bury Your Gays - Charles, KJ**

Tingle, Chuck - Tingle, Chuck

Enough about me. How 'bout you? Time to dust off that old calculator and crunch some numbers. Happy reading and savvy saving, my friends!

  1. With my library card, I've been able to read books worth thousands of dollars, saving myself a significant amount compared to buying them.
  2. The "My Library Dashboard" function on my Library Account helps me keep track of my readings and plan my future reads.
  3. Not every book I've read was a savings since I purchased a few favorites, but most of the 221 books I've read were significantly cheaper to borrow.
  4. To save even more, I can also use my library card to access streaming services like Netflix and Spotify, offering free entertainment options.

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