February 02, 2012

TQOTD - Do You Have a Book Budget?



Is it just me, or does it seem like lately, books are getting more and more expensive? And unless you're lucky enough to find a really great book on amazon's kindle site for $1, you're kinda screwed when it comes to buying new releases.

For me, I have to make sure I know exactly what books I want, when they're coming out, and literally have to make a budget to buy them, lol.

So this Thursday's Question of the Day: Do you have a book budget? How often do you buy books? Once a week, once a month? And if you don't budget, tell me your secret!! LOL

LET ME KNOW YOUR THOUGHTS??

26 comments:

  1. I had to give myself a budget for two reasons. First off, I was going broke buying books. Secondly, I live in a small townhouse and I didn't want to end up on an episode of Hoarders.

    These days I buy very few hard copies of books and I've donated a lot of what I had. I just don't have the space for them. I will pick up the occasional ebook when Amazon has a good deal of the day (like I'm going to pass up Mudbound for $.99?) but most of my books come from the library these days. I'm ok with that because the city's library system is awesome and because I'm constantly paying fines, and thus I feel like I'm giving back to the community. Win/win.

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    1. I totally feel you, Karen. I feel like half of my books end up in boxes in a closet somewhere just cause I don't have enough space!

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  2. I don't have a bugdet, really. I mean, my parents by my books (except for after christmas, pure christmas money bliss!) so when I get a book it is usually one I have been looking forward to the release + a few others to get the checkout above thirty dollars.

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  3. This is a great question! I just started a book budget this year!
    I give myself a limit and spend that much that month. I can buy as many as I want as long as I don't exceed my budget. and gift cards don't count!
    and I also have promised myself that if I am buying a book, especially if it is a new release, it's because I have a very very high chance I'm going to keep it. I won't buy new books just to check them out. I can wait for my library to get them. But if I think it will be a keeper, I'll buy it.
    So many rules! but i don't feel as guilty anymore going to a bookstore and buying!

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  4. I don't!! I am a book hoarder! I tend not to buy books that are over $20 for a new release. So that's the only "budget" I give myself.

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  5. I have a bunch of books saved on my nook wishlist at BN.com so I could get them when on sale or I got some gift cards. I've noticed several of them have gone up a dollar or two since I put them on the list. Physical books I haven't noticed it as much. I don't set myself a budget, but I don't binge buy (unless at a library sale). I've been able to show restraint, and if the library has a copy, and I'm not sure I will like it, to just check it out first, and buy later. This has saved me from making some very bad purchases, since those particular books never, not even remotely, lived up to their hype.

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  6. I don't have a book budget, though I probably should. I buy books and books on top of more books and I have stacks waiting to be read. I buy books. My parents buy me books. It's a sickness.

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  7. I tried doing a book buying ban and ended up buying more books than I normally would. So it seems I rebel against restrictions, even ones I make for myself. Haha. I am running out of space, though, so I've recently started passing a book on to someone else once I've finished it. Of course, there are some books I can't part with, but this is at least keeping my hoarding tendencies down.

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  8. I have a loose budget. When it comes to buying books I don't really have a whole sum of how much to spend or not but rather I look at how much I'm willing to spend per book. If the books on my want-to-read list happen to go on sale I'll likely spend more that month versus a month where there are not many sales. I'm grateful for my local library which has a great selection and keeps me busy reading their books.

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  9. I don't have a book budget because I'd never adhere to it anyway! I buy books more than I buy clothes or groceries. I think I have an illness. :)

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    1. Vicki, I have the same problem! It has to be an illness. I recently moved and found I have more boxes of books than anything else. Crazy huh?!

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  10. I don't have a book budget.. I used to just buy whenever I see a good sale at gohastings.com and I can get my books for like $2 each.. but now, I don't buy books anymore. I just wait til I win them or a gift card and I request for the books I want :)

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  11. I don't have a book budget, but there are a few things I do to slow my spending. First, I am limiting myself to purchasing books only as my "to read" pile shrinks. Currently, I have 7 brand new books waiting for me to read, so no more. I also am a teacher, so I am able to purchase books through Scholastic book orders using my bonus points. With my students buying books, I have racked up a lot of points that I am saving. Lastly, I won't buy anything that isn't on sale. I use any coupons and discounts that I can find to purchase my books:)

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  12. I don't have a budget right now because I can't afford much right now, lol; so when I can I treat myself I only get however many books I need to get free shipping which usually gets me 2 or 3 books right now. I am trying to fill the gaps to my fave series right now, looking for sales and coupons help a lot too!

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  13. I don't exactly have a budget, but I am very careful to pay attention to how many books I buy. I have an accountability partner in my husband who keeps my impulse buying in check.

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  14. I am really tight about books. I have a rule that I will only buy it if my library doesn't have it (and then if I don't absolutely adore it- I will donate it so others can get it). I will ask for books for my b-day and for x-mas. Or if I find a series I LOVE I will wait until it shows up at our local discount store (so lucky to have one of those.)

    I haven't bought an e-book yet. I don't have a kindle (so sadly no fun Amazon sales), but I can't justify paying 11 or 12 dollars for an e-book... I'd rather have a real one, kwim?

    I feel bad not supporting the authors more, but at least I am supporting my local library, right?

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  15. I don't have a book budget mostly because I can't actually afford to buy books on a regular basis. I envy the people who can! I'm lucky enough to have an amazing family who keeps me well stocked with Barnes & Noble gift cards for birthdays and Christmas.

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  16. I'm super lucky in that I work at a bookstore. This particular store (actually a chain) sells books at half price (haha - take a guess at the name!) although our books are generally priced way, way below that, typically $5.99. Not only are the books cheap to begin with, but being an employee, I get a 50% discount. So, yeah. I'm constantly buying things.

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    1. I'm so jealous Leah! I would give anything to buy books @ 50% off. Happy buyings!

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    2. :) It's wonderful! But maybe a little too wonderful. Before I worked there I was definitely way more careful with my purchases. I needed to be certain I was buying a book I'd like - I'd read the first few pages, check out reviews, etc. Now though, I've noticed I'm far more lenient.

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  17. I should have one. But like many of the others, I just buy it when I am in the mood, or it's on sale or a new release I can't seem to get fast enough!! Darn, now I have to make one!!

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    1. Also, I do need one, because I just got an email that I have to pay taxes on all the books I bought this year because Amazon didn't tax me. $700!! Gah! Now I am furious and gotta budget my books!!

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    2. OMG!!!! That's horrible!! And totally NOT your fault.

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