How to Get Tons Of Books On A Budget

Rate: (5 Ratings)

Trying to build a book collection for your home library, or just for personal enjoyment can get very expensive if your not careful.

Flag Article

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

A spare day
$20-$40 per book hunting trip.
A strong box or several strong bags to carry all your new books

Step1

Using the internet or your phone book scout out all of your local used book stores. Used book stores are a great place to begin your bargain book hunting. But ONLY use it to buy books you really want. As the Used book stores provide great deals compared to new book prices, they are not the best overall. Most books in the used book store are sold at half the cover price. That can be a great bargain when the book you want is fairly new and retails for 12 bucks. You can also use your own books that you want to get rid of to earn you credit in most book stores. Just remember credit can only be applied to a small percentage of your purchase.

Step2

Again using the phone book or the internet scout out all of your local Goodwill and Salvation Army stores. Many of these stores carry hundreds even thousands of books that will only cost you about a quarter. Maybe a dollar for hard covers. If you find even a handful that you want you can't beat their prices anywhere.

Step3

Using your local newspaper in the spring and summer can be a real treasure. Get some friends together and track down local garage and estate sales that mention books in their ad. It's especially nice if you get lucky and hit one that is on it's last day, towards closing you can often bargain your way into box loads full of books for a couple of dollars.

Step4

Using the internet, or just foot your way to all of your local public library branches and find the libraries that feature small book stores inside. Or ask the customer service desk if they have any annual book sales. This is the gold mine of used books, because you get both newer books as well as older books at garage sale prices with big store selection.

Tips & Warnings

Bargain book hunting is always more fun if you have other readers with you. Non-readers get bored very quickly and will nag and rush you the whole time.
Don't hurt your back haulin all your new books off!