I bought an ereader and borrow digital’s from the librar over wifi! I have a toddler so it’s tough to get to the library for “free” books. So the initial purchase of the ereader. Was a saving in the long run for me personally!
I put stuff in my cart and then close the tab before I can buy it. Then I get the excitement of shopping without actually spending money. Once I look at the total and the books I’ve chosen I can have a think about whether or not I really want them. It helps me to only buy things I’m actually going to read. That being said, I’m not good at doing the whole cold turkey thing- as soon as I feel like I can’t have something, I want it even more. So I don’t say it’s a ban, I just try to be more mindful of where my money is going. ☺️
I’ve been on a buying “challenge” since February and I’m still going strong! I gave myself permission to buy two new releases that I had already been looking forward to. I also allowed myself to use one BOTM credit. Anything that I want to read that I don’t already have, I get at the library. I really wanted to do this challenge because my book buying was out of control. Really. I was flat broke after every paycheck and I now have over 500 unread books. So my willpower to keep going is still pretty strong.
I’ve recently challenged myself to make a list of every book on Libby and at my local library that is on my tbr pile. Once I have read each of those, whatever is left I may allow myself to search for at thrift stores or Amazon. But only if I finish all the ones I can find at library
Library or if you really want the book I’d look around your local thrift shops. A lot of the ones in my area do half priced sundays. Last time I went I got 10 new books in pretty good condition for $5!
I cracked today. If it’s under $10, I don’t count it. I try to get as much as possible from the library. But my thing is this: if it’s going to take me more than two weeks to finish, I buy. If I have to wait more than two weeks to check it out, I buy.
Library because then I’m distracted by needing to finish things by the due date. It helps if you put a bunch of holds on things and they all come in at the same time ?
I’ve started using the library more. I take pictures of the books i want to buy at the store. I also only buy used. I buy from the library sale all the time. So cheap. Or goodwill surprisingly has a lot of books.
I use the library which has really helped with my book buying ban. Only time I crack now is if the reserve list at the library is ridiculously long and it’s a book I desperately want to read. Also, charity shops are good!
I think it’s not always helpful to put yourself on a cold turkey ban (it’s like when people go on a diet and inevitably break and eat every single thing in the kitchen) but you could give yourself some pretty strict rules about buying so you’ll only get what is absolutely necessary. Things like only second hand, or only books that aren’t available at your local library? It means you still get the excitement of buying and you’re buying stuff that you definitely really want.
It helps that I have about 100 books in my house I need to read, but I’ve also made a few exceptions. I am allowed to buy comic books, get my first of the month book from Amazon, and get audio books since I have a membership to Scribd. Also Libby and the Library are great.
This. My son wanted a couple of books the other day and he used his allowance from his dad (this single mama is to poor!) but I found one on sale with a 20% off coupon, so I splurged. ? so much for a self imposed book ban. 🙂
I don’t even buy that much anymore even though I’m going through a book buying ban and all that but the thought that I could be reading that same story for free by using the library that usually Keeps me from buying now.
I’m not super strict about a book buying ban, but I do have a wish list at a couple of book stores for when I am able to buy books. And I also just try not to even go into physical book stores because the temptation is too much.
Don’t try to go cold turkey. Set parameters. Specific criteria you have to meet like, I can only buy a book if it’s on sale and one I was already planning to buy. Or I have to read 10 books I already own but have not read before I can buy a new book….
I need this advice too..
Be a broke student :'(
I just buy books that are already on my list. I’ve asked friends to respect that as well
Use your local library! 🙂
I bought an ereader and borrow digital’s from the librar over wifi!
I have a toddler so it’s tough to get to the library for “free” books.
So the initial purchase of the ereader. Was a saving in the long run for me personally!
@Nicci same! Switched to kindle after my first was born for the convenience
@Angela so easy!
Save on gas. Don’t buy a million books. Etc!
@Nicci plus one handed reading when holding a sleeping infant!
My two are preschool aged now but I’m so in the habit, I even borrow kindle books for stuff I own physically
@Angela yes. To. All the things!!!
Library!!
Library! I really only buy stuff anymore that’s super cheap on kindle and none of my libraries have or aren’t available in ebook form
JUSY SAY NO. it’s a slogan I can up with. 🙂 Good luck
I don’t even buy books hahaha
You don’t ?♀️
Keep this picture of Terry Crews nearby.
I’m only on a book buying ban because I’m too poor to buy books, it sucks but there’s no breaking it?♀️
I second the library suggestion 🙂
Library! Also, do not visit books stores or look at books on the web.
Libraries!
Libraries make it super simple, plus being open to books you may not have expected to want to read
I put stuff in my cart and then close the tab before I can buy it. Then I get the excitement of shopping without actually spending money. Once I look at the total and the books I’ve chosen I can have a think about whether or not I really want them. It helps me to only buy things I’m actually going to read.
That being said, I’m not good at doing the whole cold turkey thing- as soon as I feel like I can’t have something, I want it even more. So I don’t say it’s a ban, I just try to be more mindful of where my money is going. ☺️
I’ve been on a buying “challenge” since February and I’m still going strong! I gave myself permission to buy two new releases that I had already been looking forward to. I also allowed myself to use one BOTM credit. Anything that I want to read that I don’t already have, I get at the library. I really wanted to do this challenge because my book buying was out of control. Really. I was flat broke after every paycheck and I now have over 500 unread books. So my willpower to keep going is still pretty strong.
Library and Libby!
@Hanna oh ya!! Libby with a library card is da bomb!!
A week ago I was getting a big itch to shop. I almost did, but instead I went to the library and took home about 8 books. I got my fix lol
I’m fortunate enough to have a great library! Or I use http://thriftbooks.com/
I’ve recently challenged myself to make a list of every book on Libby and at my local library that is on my tbr pile. Once I have read each of those, whatever is left I may allow myself to search for at thrift stores or Amazon. But only if I finish all the ones I can find at library
Library or if you really want the book I’d look around your local thrift shops. A lot of the ones in my area do half priced sundays. Last time I went I got 10 new books in pretty good condition for $5!
I cracked today. If it’s under $10, I don’t count it. I try to get as much as possible from the library. But my thing is this: if it’s going to take me more than two weeks to finish, I buy. If I have to wait more than two weeks to check it out, I buy.
@Katherine love your way of thinking ?
@Juliana I’m impatient and now the proud owner of TWDV1 and American Gods haha
It’s easy when you’re broke AF?
Library because then I’m distracted by needing to finish things by the due date. It helps if you put a bunch of holds on things and they all come in at the same time ?
Library!! And my boyfriend holds me accountable haha
Library. And Libby /Overdrive. But I also break the ban all the time…
I didn’t ? I’ve placed 3 orders so far this year (aside from the preorders and ongoing series that I had already justified) ?♀️
I can’t ban myself lol. I will go through some periods were I reread my books so that helps me save money lol
Library!
I’ve started using the library more. I take pictures of the books i want to buy at the store. I also only buy used. I buy from the library sale all the time. So cheap. Or goodwill surprisingly has a lot of books.
The library.
Sneak them into the house without the hubby knowing…. And if he asked…. Just say…. Oh? This old thing? I had it for ages!
Or get a ereader… Tat way he wouldn’t know at all! Lol
Divorce?
Thank you everyone for the advice!!! I laughed at some.
Well i cracked
I use the library which has really helped with my book buying ban. Only time I crack now is if the reserve list at the library is ridiculously long and it’s a book I desperately want to read. Also, charity shops are good!
I can’t do it on my own! I did one with my best friend, and we kept each other going?
I think it’s not always helpful to put yourself on a cold turkey ban (it’s like when people go on a diet and inevitably break and eat every single thing in the kitchen) but you could give yourself some pretty strict rules about buying so you’ll only get what is absolutely necessary. Things like only second hand, or only books that aren’t available at your local library? It means you still get the excitement of buying and you’re buying stuff that you definitely really want.
It helps that I have about 100 books in my house I need to read, but I’ve also made a few exceptions. I am allowed to buy comic books, get my first of the month book from Amazon, and get audio books since I have a membership to Scribd. Also Libby and the Library are great.
Library
Library. But I’ve cracked a few times ??
Cause I’m broke ? literally no money to spend on books, so I’m really good at not buying them atm lol
This. My son wanted a couple of books the other day and he used his allowance from his dad (this single mama is to poor!) but I found one on sale with a 20% off coupon, so I splurged. ? so much for a self imposed book ban. 🙂
Libraries? Or the little libraries (take a book leave a book)
LIBRARY
I don’t even buy that much anymore even though I’m going through a book buying ban and all that but the thought that I could be reading that same story for free by using the library that usually Keeps me from buying now.
Broke dental student
I turn off all notifications on book sales. I don’t take any money into book stores.
And I visit the library often
I’m not super strict about a book buying ban, but I do have a wish list at a couple of book stores for when I am able to buy books. And I also just try not to even go into physical book stores because the temptation is too much.
I sometimes try and set something like read five buy one, that way I’m not completely restricted from buying books
Don’t try to go cold turkey. Set parameters. Specific criteria you have to meet like, I can only buy a book if it’s on sale and one I was already planning to buy. Or I have to read 10 books I already own but have not read before I can buy a new book….