Thrifty Thursday - Week 1 - An Expensive Hobby - TOP TIPS TO SAVE ON READING

THRIFTY THURSDAY - WEEK 1

An Expensive Hobby

If you're following my blog, you're probably a reader too. I don't need to tell you that reading is an expensive hobby. But here I am, doing just that! It is :)

I am always trying to make it less expensive, I experience feelings of guilt when I spend money on myself. Old habits from times of scrimping and saving as a young single mum! My Thrifting Thursday posts will share my top tips, thrift finds, and inventive (hopefully) ways of getting more bang for your buck. Maybe even some crafty crafting if I'm feeling creative  :) 

Many readers place themselves on a book-buying ban to try to save some money and make their way through their (usually lengthy) TBR lists. I'm not quite there yet, though my better half may disagree with that, the poor guy! My Amazon wish list is growing by the day. 

I do, however, try to be sensible with my spending. You see, it's not just physical books that are expensive. It's everything else!

Book box subscriptions

Kindle Unlimited (and the Kindle, case, and accessories)

Audible (and perfect headphones for listening)

The most perfect reading nook lamp

Snuggly blanket

Reading light

Bed pillow for sitting up

Bookends

Plants for the bookshelves

The ideal reading chair

Things to put your books on/in

More things to put your book on/in (I currently have a bookcase in the living room, and multiple giant "book buckets" strewn around). 

The list is never-ending and, if you're like me, changes depending on mood. When I go through digital book phases I'm all about the remote page-turners and the changeable cases to match my mood. Physical books are cute bookmarks, page holders, organising my bookcase 'just so'. Yesterday I spent 45 minutes reading through pages of reviews on "The best over-ear headphones for audiobook listeners", even though my in-ear ones are perfectly fine!

Top Thrifty Tips for Readers

1. USE THE LIBRARY!!!!!

Libraries really are the best way to minimise spending, and make sure that books don't take over your home (not that there's anything wrong with that!). The books are free and it's really easy to make a much smaller list of books you'd like to own - books you will reread or with covers that just HAVE to go in the bookcase. Many libraries sell used copies at great prices, which saves you money and gives valuable funds back to the place that gives joy to so many people and communities. There are also book clubs and groups for the social aspects. They absolutely cover everything. Many libraries also offer online services including digital and audio copies of some books.

2. CHARITY SHOPS AND CAR BOOT SALES

A used book can be so much more fun to read. Pages that aren't pristine, chapters that have been read before. I always try to imagine what the readers before me thought, what their reactions were, and whether they loved or hated the characters in the same way I did. 

Charity shops and car boot sales aren't just for physical books though. They're great for accessorising your book corner/library. At the moment, I'm on the lookout for some bookends that, with a little creativity (read...spray paint!), can become a gothic addition to my new bedroom bookshelf. 

3. SENSIBLE SUBSCRIPTIONS

If you rarely listen to Audiobooks, for example, Audible can be a wasted resource. This is why, when I talk subscriptions, I recommend them only where it will work for you. I listen to 1-2 audiobooks a week so an Audible subscription benefits me in terms of cost. The subscription covers the cost of one full-price audiobook and access to their free-to-listen catalogue. One thing I love about Audible is that the monthly credit carries forward so you don't lose that full-price book if you forget to use it one month. I do have an affiliate link for a free Audible trial if you'd like to give it a go :)

Spotify Premium also offers 15 hours of listening time included in your subscription. Great if you already have Spotify for music or podcasts. I always compare to Audible first, when deciding what to listen to each month, to ensure I get the most value for money. 

Kindle Unlimited is also a good shout if you like to read digitally. Again only worth it if you'll be reading a few books a month but it does include current and popular reads. Sometimes the books also have 'Whisper Sync' which is an audio version to listen along with the book, or in some cases, separately to it, on Audible. One thing to bear in mind with Kindle Unlimited, is that you are effectively borrowing these books, there's a limit to how many you can have at any one time (it's a pretty high limit to be fair!) and to borrow more, you can 'return' books that you've finished. 

4. GET THE FAMILY INVOLVED

My most recent book box subscription from the Teatime Booksop was a birthday gift from my other half last year. 12 months of books, tea, and biscuits, what more could I ask for? Every month I get a new delivery so it really is the gift that keeps on giving! There are boxes for specific genres and types of reader. Mine could be curated but we went with "I'm up for anything" so I've already had many genres and styles, not one dud!

If you want to give a subscription a try, check out my unboxing post for the Teatime Bookshop, where you can get a 10% discount through my link. 

I have a book-related wish list on Amazon too, which gives my family some pretty big hints on what I'd love to see under the tree at Christmas. We also regularly swap or donate books. 

5. HAVE A BUDGET - AND STICK TO IT!

I have a hobby budget, money I put aside every month, to either spend or save. Just like Magic Mike (my better half) sets aside money for games or his craft beer passion. I've been frugal with frivolous book spending recently as I wanted to create a real-life KCs Reading Corner at home, so I have swapped my work-from-home desk for one with bookshelves and will be filling and decorating it in the coming weeks. 

How do you keep your book spending under control? How crafty are you when it comes to making/mending things? Share your stories, I'd love to hear them!

If, by some stroke of luck, you made it to the end of this and thought "Wow, what a great post, I'd love to read more!" you can FOLLOW MY BLOG by clicking the link and subscribing :) I also post bookish content on Instagram. Happy reading!