Any mom will tell you that buying children’s books can put a serious dent in your budget. Over the years, I’ve learned how to minimize the blow to my wallet.
Check out my tips for saving money on children’s books, and be sure to share your own ideas, too!
Utilize the Library
Before plunking down the money to make a book your own, visit your library. Read the book for free first, then decide if it’s one you must have.
Try It Out on Amazon
If a book is available in Kindle format, Amazon gives you a bonus. You can check out the first chapter of many Kindle books for free. I use this approach frequently, to help me decide if I really want the book or not.
Buy it Used
I bought our first used book when Rachel was tiny, and haven’t looked back. When I’m looking on Amazon for books, I’m always sure to check the used options.
I’ve never been disappointed with the condition. Many of the books I’ve received have been like new.
Other options include Half Priced Books, Half.com, and local used bookstores or book sales. Our local library even hosts periodic sales of used books. Don’t forget to check out the children’s consignment stores or children’s consignment sales in your area.
Swap It
Have you looked at Paperback Swap? If you’ve got books in good condition that you no longer read, you can offer them on Paperback Swap to trade for ones you do want. If you don’t have books to swap, you can buy credits as well.
Create a Wish List
I always ask for books on our Christmas and birthday gift ideas list every year. Make a list of books you’d love to have and ask grandparents, aunts and uncles to bless your family.
Save Up Your Points
Are you a member of MyPoints or Swagbucks? You can earn points toward gift cards when you shop, answer quick polls, check your emails or search the internet. MyPoints has gift cards available for Barnes and Noble, while Swagbucks lets you cash in points for Amazon gift cards.
How do you save money on books?
Don’t forget to visit all the posts in the 30 Days of Reading with My Kids series, and drop in to visit my friends on the #30DayMom challenge!
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Those are really great tips for anyone with a book buying weakness like myself. Signing up for e-mails and membership cards from the local bookstores has helped me with savings as well.
Oooh, good idea! I rarely visit the bookstores, since I have all the littles in tow.
We definitely utilise the library a lot!
Eva, my kids adore the library. They know the staff and make them cards and bring them treats! 🙂
Great ideas! We share/lend books with family members and our homeschool friends all of the time as a way to save $$.
Great to see you here, Susan! 🙂
Lending out is a great idea — how do you keep track of who has your books and vice versa?
Library book sales, thrift stores and garage sales can lead to great books for like 25 cents!
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Another great idea, Jill! I’ve looked for books for myself at the thrift store, and I’ve found a few books for the kids too.
Well, I can say that all your tips don’t work for us. No library at all around, no swagbuck, no amazon kindle available here. Therefore, to get English book we have to wait someone from the USA go home to Indonesia. We use more pdf or online files as well.
Oh, no, Adelien! My children would wilt without the library. I’m counting my blessings.
Great ideas!
Thank you for stopping by the Thoughtful Spot Weekly Blog Hop this week. We hope to see you drop by our neck of the woods next week!
We soooo need ways to save money on books. Our family reads a ton! Thanks for sharing at the Love to Learn Linky (we pinned this too).