If you are an avid bookworm then you might be spending a small fortune on books every month. If you're after some cheap reading material, then here are some ideas to save money on books whilst still reading the authors you love.
Join the library
The library is a great place to not only get books but also a range of DVDs and other items to rent out. Joining your local library is free, and you can even reserve books ahead of time if they don’t have the title that you want in stock. As well as being able to book physical books you can also get access to ebooks and audiobooks with your library membership. Nothing beats getting something for free! But remember, cheap reading can become expensive if you don't get your books back on time.
This can be a great way to get children interested in reading.
Buy second hand
Once I have read a book I rarely hold on to it, choosing to swap it or donate it to a charity shop. Thanks to people like me you can often find some of the latest titles in charity shops available for a fraction of the price. You can also pick up second hand books from car boot sales, jumble sales and online from places like eBay and Amazon.
Get free Kindle books
Even if you don’t own a Kindle, as long as you have a smartphone or tablet you can download the Kindle app. There are plenty of titles given away for free every day, meaning you can load up your library with books for free.
Get unlimited audiobooks and ebooks with Scribd
If you enjoy listening to audiobooks or reading e-books then you will love the app Scribd. For the same price as Audible, where you get one book to listen to per month, you get access to unlimited audiobooks and ebooks. They don’t have as many titles as Audible, but you can save a ton of money by switching, especially if you get through more than one book per month. Download it in your app store.
Book swaps
Book swaps are great if your bookcases are overflowing or you want to be inspired with new reading material. You can either make it a social occasion by arranging a book swapping party where guests bring their books to exchange with each other; swap elsewhere in person or look for online book swaps. Not only is book swapping great for your wallet, but also great for the environment.
Ask friends and relatives if you can borrow their books
If you're after some cheap reading, but you want a less formal arrangement than taking part in book swaps or joining the library then ask your friends and family if you could borrow any books that catch your eye. Be sure to return the favour if they ask to borrow something from your collection, and don’t forget to return them promptly.
Compare online vs in store prices
When it comes to buying new books there isn’t one retailer that offers the best prices. Amazon is a massive online marketplace full of books, but sometimes they can be found for cheaper in supermarkets. Supermarkets also often have offers on, such as two books for £7. Make sure that you compare the prices and take extra costs, like parking or postage, into account when comparing the prices.
Enter competitions for books
Many publishers and authors will hold competitions when they have a new book released, giving you a chance to win some new books to enjoy. These competitions can usually be found on their social media channels or websites, and be sure to join their mailing list to be emailed when there is a new competition.
Earn loyalty points
Depending on where you purchase your books from, you might be able to make use of a loyalty scheme to earn points on your purchases. If you are buying books from a supermarket then don’t forget to use your supermarket loyalty card such as your Tesco Clubcard or Nectar card. You can also get a Waterstones Plus Card where you can earn a stamp for every £10 you spend. Every 10 stamps gives you £10 off future purchases.
Sell the books you have read
If you're struggling to find cheap reading material, then once you have finished reading a book you can release some value by selling it on. You can sell it on Facebook marketplace and eBay (where bundles do better) or scan the barcode into the app WeBuyBooks to get an instant price. You can then spend the money on buying new books.
I hope that this guide helps you to read more.
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One Response
I just can’t save money on books. Honestly, whenever I see a good story I buy it. Now I have a big pile of unreaded books on my cupboard.