I’ve gotten 3 movies I really wanted in exchange for CDs and other movies I didn’t want anymore!

Unfortunately, after I moved to Utah I discovered the county I live in doesn’t have a county wide library system (silly me, I didn’t think to research this before buying my house because I had never heard of this kind of whacked out system before). Instead, if you live in a town where a library isn’t located (like me) you have to BUY A MEMBERSHIP to EACH library in order to use it. Memberships are for 1 year and cost between $60 and $80. So I would pay a minimum of $60 to use ONE library (and no trade system between the libraries either)! No way, jose!

I have received over 40 books from paperbackswap in the past 11 months with 26 on my wait list. I have saved a ton of money!

I’ve been reading avidly since I was 3, and I have to say it changed my life completely. Many of my opinions, ideas, goals, and even skills — I learned graphic design, programming, and knitting from books — came from my reading. If nothing else, it got me to think more.

My only regret is that there is no public library anywhere near me. The nearest one is a plane ride away, LOL. This usually means I borrow books from people, or spend money if I really want to read one. I find keeping a fund just for books helps though.

Unless you are reading to educate yourself related to your goals (retirement,how to do something, to invest, etc) then you are merely ‘watching TV.’

An occasional movie or book is fun, but making reading a hobby is poor suggestion. Its sedentary, limits what you do (try multitasking while you are reading), and doesnt add much to your life if not related to your goals.

A better suggestion is a hobby that has tangible results, i.e. gets you closer to your goals, whether it be to be more fit, make more money, or have better relationships. Sitting reading a book so often that it becomes a hobby isnt prudent use of your time.

Install Book Burro from http://bookburro.org/.

Once you complete the simple configuration, it will automatically check your local library through WorldCat and check the prices at about a dozen online bookshops including used copies! This add-on is such a time and money saver.

I love our local library and feel blessed to live close to it.

For me reading is so much a part of my life that I couldn’t possibly quit if I tried. I do not have to make time for reading — it’s the other stuff I have to make time for! I read on the bus, I read on the subway, I read in the doctor’s waiting room, I read while I eat my sandwich in the lunch room at work, I read before I turn the lights out at night, I read when my husband pauses the DVD to take a bathroom break. And of course I read in large chunks of time, comfortably curled up in an afghan. I reread favourite books, I read classic children’s book, I read how-to books, I read 19th century novels, I read the Bible and books on Christian spirituality, I read books about World War II, I read books about the education system, I read books about shipwrecked people, I read books about peak oil, I read books about the history of fashion, I read books about the problem of evil.

And it’s all free! If the library doesn’t have the books I want, I make a suggestion for purchase, or if they’re old and out of print I get them through interlibrary loan.

If you are feeling that this is extravagent, businesses often offer them as promotional items, particularly in the healthcare industry.

I would never have gotten through Hegel without Post-Its; they are invaluable if you are studying German philosophers. Likewise, starting a new craft from a book where the basics are covered in the beginning chapters and projects are offered near the end became far smoother for me.

Of course I love the library too.

http://www.blogistics.com/

Normally I’ll read a given book from my local library first, and then if I really like it, I’ll head to that website to see if I can get a cheap copy for myself…

My newest frugal hobby is disc golf. For those with a course nearby, it can’t be beat. No greens fees at all, and once you get a small bag and a few discs (cheap ones run from $7-10 and you only need a few) that’s it! I play every waking hour I can while there is daylight. I pack in snacks and bring water I filter at home (Brita).

The only cost I have is an occasional tournament ($15-20 in fees, gas to get there), and $6 a week for my league (and sometimes I win that and more back!). Outdoors, cheap to free, and I’ve made so many great friends.

Bibliomaniac