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The only thing more impressive than my library is my savings.

Key Point

• These days, it’s easy to get your hands on any book you want without paying full price.
• There are many online bookstores, but there are probably cheaper bookstores in your neighborhood.
• Your local library is also a source of many free books to read and return.

As a child, I dreamed of having my own library one day, and as an adult, it finally became a reality. It’s not the book-lined room with fireplace and sliding ladder I always imagined, but it’s still pretty impressive. I have read it several times and am always looking for new books worth adding to my collection.

You might think I spend thousands of dollars a year on books, but you’d be wrong. I have perfected the art of bargain hunting and recently added another of his 87 books to my collection for just $160. This is my secret.

i won’t pay full price anymore

When I was younger I spent a lot of time at Barnes & Noble and my family would often buy me gift cards to the store for my birthdays and holidays. If you’re lucky, you can get 12 or 13 of his books for $100. Ultimately, I got frustrated with the amount of money I was spending, so I decided I needed a different approach.

Instead of buying new books, I started using them all. There are several used bookstores in the town where I live. It’s a slightly different experience than shopping at a traditional bookstore. They aren’t always organized and you’re not sure what you’re trying to find. But I have come to enjoy surprises. Plus, he can get a lot of books that originally sold for $15 or more for under $4.

If you want a specific book, search online. Marketplaces such as Amazon sell used books as well as new ones. There are also a number of used bookstore accounts on eBay, many of which offer specials to customers who buy multiple books at once. I do my best to purchase as many books as possible from the same seller to take advantage of these deals.

When it comes time to actually pay for the book, I try not to spend my money if I don’t need to. I exchange my credit card points for gift cards and use them to buy books.

Combining all these tips, I was recently able to purchase 87 books for just $160 of my own money. This brings my average cost down to $1.84 per book for him. You won’t find such prices in conventional bookstores.

Other Savings Ideas

My approach works for me, but if you don’t feel like scouring dozens of used bookstores, there are some other strategies that can save you even more. It is inexpensive and does not take up much space. Or, if you don’t have time to actually read a book, you might prefer audiobooks instead.

And then there’s your local library. If you can avoid late fees, you can read to your heart’s content without paying a penny. You may run into issues with the book you want being checked out by someone else, but if you’re patient and don’t mind owning the book, this is probably the best option for your bank account.

Unless you’re looking for a new release, these days you can easily buy any book you like without paying full price. So before you get your hands on that brand new book, do a little research and see if you can find a better deal somewhere else.