DISQUS

mrklingon · 1 year ago

YES - the public library is your friend (thanks, Benjamin Franklin!)

Here's something I use all the time to get the most out of the libraries.. A friend of mine wrote a Greasemonkey (http://www.greasespot.net/) script for Firefox, "Bookmania" (http://www.longhighway.com/monkeyisland/). With this script installed, when you go to Barnes and Nobles (bn.com) or Amazon, and search for books (or movies or music) you'll get extra links to search for the book in the Hennepin, Ramsey, Minneapolis and St. Paul systems - AND in MNLink, which takes in the whole state of Minnesota. (Anyone with a library card in the Twin Cities can check out of any of the Hennepin, Ramsey, Minneapolis and St. Paul systems). Even better, with MNLink you can request material from any Minnesota library and have it delivered to your local branch library, at no charge (it's one of those cool things your taxes support!).

I really like audio books but, in a cost saving move, I dropped my monthly Audible subscription last year. I thought I'd really miss it (Audible IS a great source for audio books). But, thanks to all the audio books in the libraries, I find instead that I am WAY behind in my listening. And for more free material, I recommend checking librivox.org, gutenberg.org and audiobooksforfree.com to find more.

Oh - and the Hennepin, Mpls and St. Paul libraries also have downloadable audio books too!

Money Matters · 1 year ago

Thanks for the tip on the libraries Joel, I'll have to use this in my next article - 5 things I can't do without. the library is one of them :).

I'm checking out the firefox script right now! I wonder if they can send books to the shakopee or savage, MN public libraries?

Money Matters · 1 year ago

I just used the firefox script to check a book out of the MPL, and send it to scott county savage library. Nice script Joel, I'll definitely use this!

Lynnae @ Being Frugal.net · 1 year ago

I had a hard time giving up our YMCA membership last year, but so far we haven't missed it. It might be tough come summer, though.

And finally, another personal finance blogger that's afraid of the kitchen! Fast food is my #1 budget buster!

Ginger · 1 year ago

I already do without all of the things that you listed. We are pretty good at making our own fun, self-entertaining and making great use of the public library. With one in college and another heading that way, we do without most things to make sure their expenses are covered. So it isn't so much what we are doing without as what we are doing to stretch a dollar. I coupon, look for deals on the items that are must haves or used for gifts. I participate in rewards programs for my purchases so that I receive a little of the percentage of the commission as a reward. I also participate in trivia contests, paid-to-read programs and so much more to earn. It has become "hobby turned business" for me. About 2 years ago I launched my own web site so I could share what I find. I find a lot of things that help many others with not only the items I've mentioned above, but even with their medical expenses, rebates on various items and a myriad of other ways as they present themselves. My site is free (of course) to use and I invite everyone to pop over and see how I save, earn and otherwise squeeze a dollar until it screams for help.
http://adlibcorner.com

Additionally, I would like to thank you for the articles you have posted. As you know, I sometimes take a tip from you and give you credit for it. Hopefully we will both continue to find ways to live better for less.

Ginger

Money Matters · 1 year ago

thanks ginger for the comment - what you're doing - finding ways to save - is something I'm trying to do a bit better. Thanks for the suggestions - i know for sure i'll be making use of the library more often this year - for both books and movies! Oh, and i just found out our library has a great collection of audio books too! who woulda thunk it?