Four Ways To Save Money On Reading
I’ve always been a massive book worm, even when I was a kid. During my late teens/ early twenties I did fall out of the habit of reading as much. But in the past few years, it’s come flooding back to me and I love reading. I’ve been doing the Goodreads challenge for the past few years and surpassed my original challenge of 20 books in 2019. So now I’ve upped it to 30 books, we’ll see how that goes. If you use good reads follow me and come say hey as I love seeing what everyone is reading.
The one thing which is a bit annoying about reading is how expensive the hobby can be. A brand new book from the shops can be anything from £8 to £20 depending on various factors. Although supermarkets are great for deals on these. While I don’t mind spending money on books it can all add up so here are 4 ways you can save money on your reading habit.
Buy second-hand books
I don’t mind getting second-hand books as it’s nice to know someone who has loved a book has been able to pass it on. Some of the best places to buy second-hand books are charity shops and car boot sales. It’s nice to be able to browse and I’ve managed to find some great books in these kinds of places. Charity shops are also where I take any books I’m done with (if they can’t be swapped). This way you know you’re raising money for a good cause.
If there’s a very specific book I am after it can be tough to find in a charity shop. But I do buy second-hand through Amazon. The annoying thing can be the postage (especially when the book itself is so cheap). But it still works out better value in most cases.
Join Facebook book swap groups
This is something I got into last year and it’s my favourite way to get new books. The Book Cafe is the group I use (although there may be more) and I’ve had nothing but great experiences from it. Whenever I have some books I’m done with I snap a photo seeing if anyone wants to swap. Usually what I do is swap a few books with people and then you each just pay for the postage.
So I pay £3 for basic second class postage and usually swap 2 books at a time so I spend £1.50 per book. Although I have done 3-4 books in a go. People do also sell books on there so I have bought books from people when I’ve had nothing to swap.
It’s a great way of making sure someone else is going to love what you’ve finished with.
Join the library
I used to go to the library so much as a child and I used to get so excited to go. Other than for academic reasons during university I stopped going to the library and I’m not quite sure why. The library is a great way of borrowing books without having to pay a penny. And it’s a really good way to support the community as so many libraries are getting closed down as people don’t use them enough.
On my to do list is re-signing back up to the library once I’ve finished reading a pile of books I have. And I love the idea of going in and seeing what books take my fancy. One of the things about browsing online is it can be hard to get a feel for a book. But physically seeing it and reading the back should help me make great decisions.
Get unlimited audiobooks and eBooks with Scribd
Scribd is a great way to stay digital with your books. I’m going to be honest and say I’ve not got on board with e-books as I love the feeling of a physical book. And I don’t spend enough time in the car/ on a train to get the most out of audiobooks. But if you do then Scribd may be the app for you. The brand was actually the first reading subscription service back in 2013. Audiobooks joined the brand in 2o14 alongside sheet music, magazines and articles over the following years.
You can sign up for a free 30 day trial here and the great thing about Scribd is there’s no limit on how much you can consume. You can take advantage of e-books, audiobooks and magazines. At full price it works out at $8.99 a month which is cheaper than say Audiable, and you get more for your money.
Do you read much? How do you get your books?
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21 responses to “Four Ways To Save Money On Reading”
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All About Me
Rhian Westbury
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I get pretty much all of my books passed down from my mum or my nan, and then am sure to give them to a friend so they don’t sit there being wasted. I probably should re-join a library though to broaden the type of books that I read! Becca x
Handing books down is a great idea, I should do this more with my friends x
Libraries are so important! I can’t believe how many people don’t utilise it
I’m a big believer in going to the library and keeping them alive! xx
You’re so right, I’ve heard of too many libraries closing down x
I must admit I tend to get books from the library but we do do book swaps with the ladies in swimming too
I’m ashamed to say that I have utilised my library card in some years, but it’s a great to enjoy book after book without costing anything.
I need to get a new library card so I can start using it more x
I didn’t know there were FB book swap groups, but I guess there is a group for everything now.
I read a lot of eBooks and get the emails for the ones that are free or 99p and download a lot of those! I also use charity shops.
I just can’t get on board with kindles and ebooks, for me a physical book is so much nicer x
Our local library is a lovely place. They will order books for you, even brand new ones. It costs a £1 to order a book. Recently I ordered the new Victoria Hislop book a which I would have had to wait to read it until
It came out in paperback
That’s so good that they’ll order books as that’s the main thing I worry about is that none of the newer books will be in stock x
Yes reading can be an expensive hobbies. This is where I like to recycle and buy a book or two second hand xx
I love reading and love owning books, but with a pretty small house and only two book cases for storage, end up having to off load a few at a time. Really do need to join the library again 🙂
That’s why I swap so many books in book swaps as someone else can get the joy out of the book and I get to replace it with something else x
Charity shops are really good for books. My boyfriend recently found a an unused official Disney Maleificent sketchbook for £1. Many charity shops sell books for 50p or 2 for £1 x
Oh great tips here! I spend quite a lot on books as I love to read and I know I could be saving a fortune! I need to try book swapping groups as that sounds like fun!
It is fun as you end up discovering new books or looking up books you’d never have thought of before x
Great ideas! As a family we make regular trips to our local library and I have picked up some great books from charity shops too!
I’m with you on the E-Readers! It’s just not the same!
I am most looking forward to having all the family together playing games and being merry and I will be soendig it with all the people I love the most 🙂