Things You'll Need:
- Public library card
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Step 1
Check the availability of books that you want to read at your public library. Depending on when a book was first available, you can take it out for a given number of days. If you only plan to read the book once, you can save money by taking it out from your library instead of adding it to your personal collection.
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Step 2
Search for used books. Many used books are available at a fraction of the price of a new version of the book. Be sure that you check the description of a used book's condition before you purchase it, as there may be writing or highlighting in the book that will bother some readers.
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Step 3
Search for books that you want to purchase at online retailers (see Resources below). Be sure to include the shipping cost with the price to calculate the total amount of money that it will cost to purchase the books.
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Step 4
Sign up for discount programs from bookstores in your area. Some of these programs are free and provide you with occasional coupons. Others require you to pay for a membership, which may be worthwhile if you plan on buying enough books during the year.
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Step 5
Compare the prices of books from online retailers and used book dealers to the prices at your local bookstores. If there is only a small difference in the price, it may be worth it for you to purchase it at your local bookstore.
