Welcome to my 52 Ways to Save $100 a Month series. We’re serious about saving money in 2016. Sometimes it’s the little things and sometimes it’s the big things. I’m here to walk you through some little things that can add up to BIG savings. 52 little things to be exact. Every week, join me back here for another small money saving tip or idea that might not seem like significant savings until you see the overall yearly savings. It might just blow your mind. So pop in each Tuesday and read a new tip that will help you on your way to save $100 a month!
Libraries are the coolest places. First, they are free to enter and the environment is always calming and quiet. Second, they are great resources for all things learning. Third, you can get a library card for free and go to town saving money on all sorts of items you would otherwise have to purchase. Libraries can save you big bucks. Here’s how:
- Borrow Books: This is what brings most people through the doors. You can check out any book your little hearts desire {and most libraries don’t have limits on how many you can check out at a time, so go to town!}. And if you are only into digital books, libraries can help with that, too. Most libraries have digital books that don’t even require you ever getting in the car. So, if you have a laptop, kindle, iPad or some other device, chances are you can get some free reads by just logging onto your library’s website. How cool is that?
- Read Magazines: Instead of having magazine subscriptions, check them out from the library. While you can’t check out the current month’s issues, you can check out all of the back issues.
- Rent Movies: The library has pretty much every movie you can possibly want and they are free to checkout. So the next time you’re thinking about heading to a Redbox or renting a movie on Amazon, a quick trip to the library will make that family movie night FREE!
- Read Newspapers: Instead of paying for a newspaper subscription, read it while you wait for your kids to find their book selections. You get all the news without the price tag.
- Borrow Video Games: Let’s face it. Video games are expensive. Sometimes you’ll cough up all that money for a game you or your kids rarely play or decide isn’t as great as the hype. What if you could test drive the video game for free or just rent it occasionally when you get the urge to play it? Libraries have some great game selections and are adding to them all the time. This one has the potential to save you some big bucks!
- Surf the Web: You can take advantage of educational computer games and the internet. The children’s part of the library usually has computers loaded with fun educational games. For older kids, Wi-Fi offers a little bit of surfing with some pretty strict restrictions that will keep them fairly safe.
- Rent Music: Did you even know you could check out CDs at the library, too? This has saved me hundreds over the years because I’ll hear a song I like and go check out the album to see if it’s worth buying. So many times it’s not and I’ve saved myself the $15 I would have wasted! They normally have all the latest albums as well as a great children’s selection.
- Take a Class: Most libraries have tons of free programs and classes. Younger kids can go to story time and older kids/adults can do book clubs. My library even has a Lego club {where kids get to build massive creations} and a knitting club {for all skill levels} as well as arts and craft days for young and old.
Do you utilize your local library? What is your favorite thing about it?
How Much Can You Save: $112+ A recent survey estimated the average American adult spends about $112 each year on just romance novels and video games alone. Factor in every other type of book, magazine, music and any video rentals and you are well on your way to saving hundreds each year!
More Ways to Save:
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Clean Out Your Closet {Week 1 of 52}
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Break Up with Cable {Week 2 of 52}
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Barter Better {Week 3 of 52}
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Change Your Own Oil {Week 4 of 52}
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Adjust Your Thermostat {Week 5 of 52}
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Take Advantage of Your Perks {Week 6 of 52}
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Pack Your Lunch {Week 7 of 52}
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Make It Yourself {Week 8 of 52}
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Preserve Your Bounty {Week 9 of 52}
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Keep the Change {Week 10 of 52}
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | The Art of Borrowing {Week 11 of 52}
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Ditch the Gym {Week 12 of 52}
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Clip a Coupon {Week 13 of 52}
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Start Your Garden From Seed {Week 14 of 52}
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Learn to Cut Hair {Week 15 of 52}
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Become a 1 Car Family {Week 16 of 52}
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Make a Phone Call {Week 17 of 52}
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Shop Christmas in July {Week 18 of 52}
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Grow a Garden {Week 19 of 52}
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Just Say No {Week 20 of 52}
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Go Generic {Week 21 of 52}
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Make a Budget {Week 22 of 52}
This post may contain affiliate links. These affiliate links help support this site. For more information, please see my disclosure policy. Thank you for supporting One Hundred Dollars a Month.