This post is written by Kerri, our Rite Aid, WinCo and QFC expert here at Queen Bee Coupons. She lives on Camano Island (Washington) with her husband and their five beautiful children! She is not only awesome at saving with coupons, but she does cool things like U-Pick apples or taking frugal weekend trips to save creatively – while having fun with the family!
As a former librarian, I’ve always been a huge public library advocate. However, it wasn’t until my husband and I recently did a budget check that I realized how much money being avid library users actually saves us each year.
You may have already discovered the library’s money-saving benefits (which means I may be preaching to the choir here) but here is how our public library saves my family money:
1.) We don’t buy books. This might be hard for some families, but although we are insatiable readers we don’t buy books. Occasionally a book comes along that we want to own but otherwise all our books are borrowed from the library. When I go to Costco I love to browse both the adult and the children’s book section but instead of purchasing what interests me I grab my phone and take a picture of the title. When I get home I pull out my phone, log onto my library’s website and put the book on hold. We’ve saved hundreds of dollars not only on pleasure reading material but also cookbooks, how-to books learning-to-read books and more.
Along the same lines, when my kids bring their book order forms home from school I give them a pen and let them circle the books they want to “order”. Again, we log onto our library website and put the titles on hold. Purchasing books is saved for special occasions like birthdays and Christmas or the rare activity book that needs to be marked.
2.) We don’t buy movies and we don’t have cable. We put the same idea into practice for movies as we do for books. If we see something we want to watch, we order it from the library instead of buying it. Between the library and what is offered on Amazon Prime (and the occasional Redbox freebie) we have more than enough to watch. Our library also has many television dvd series which has allowed us to not have cable. Granted, we aren’t big tv watchers but everything we’ve been interested in watching has always been available within our library system.
3.) We don’t have magazine subscriptions. When I realized that every magazine that we subscribed to was available at our library I began to let our magazine subscriptions run out without renewing them. At the beginning of every month I place a hold on the magazines we enjoy and then we receive them as they become available. For my kids, having “their” magazine waiting for them on the hold shelf at the library is just as exciting as seeing it arrive in the mail box. For me, this also has the added benefit of not having to store or recycle magazines when we’re finished with them.
4.) We buy less music. My husband is a huge music lover so we haven’t stopped buying music (iTunes cards are a favorite gift around our house) but using the library’s music collection has definitely decreased the amount we spend on music. We’re able to enjoy a wide variety of music and expose our kids to all sorts of music genres without spending a cent.
5.) We participate in library activities. We have five children which means that many family activities end up being prohibitively expensive (the last time we went to the zoo it costs us over $75 and that was without food or parking!). We love to get to the beach or go hiking in the warmer seasons but during the colder months when there are fewer outdoor options we often participate in free library activities. We’ve listened to singing groups, practiced origami, made crafts and learned about astronomy all for FREE at the library. Participating in library activities and programs has saved us a lot of money as we’ve substituted them for more expensive family outings.
I don’t think it’s possible to entirely determine how much money our public library saves us each year but I think it’s safe to say we save hundreds if not thousands by turning to our library for much of our educational, recreational and social needs. If you’re not a library user – and you’re looking for a way to shave some money off your budget this year – the library is a great place to start. Even just saving in one of these areas frees money up for something else in your budget.
What about you? Are there other ways the public library saves you money? We’d love to hear!
Brooke Kingston says
King County Library System has a fabulous children’s program called Books to Grow On. They’re only available through their online system (you have to put them on hold for your account). They are carefully curated collections based on themes for kids, such as Summer, Bears, Camping, etc. They are such incredible finds, always chock full of great books and multi media activities. And there is usually a parenting-related book or article included in the box. They are quiet little gems of the KCLS! Thanks for the great post…gotta love our public libraries!
Brooke Kingston says
Oops, should have noted that the Books to Grow On kits come in a large take-home plastic tub. There are usually 8-10 books, a DVD or music CD, and a multimedia item like stuffed animal, felt board, or toy. 🙂
David Volk says
Both the King County and Seattle Public libraries also offer free passes to a variety of museums including the Washington History Museum, Kidsquest, SAM and the Seattle Aquarium.
Bevel says
My Whatcom County library has Zinio and an amazing database of magazines that can be pulled up electronically. My library also has free live tutoring from kindergarten to college calculus and all sorts of writing help ( via Brainfuse). It also has two language databases where one can learn a language interactively and with programs similar to something like Rosetta Stone. They even have a small selection of Wii games for the kids to check out. I love my library!
leslie says
Well, hi, you must be my twin- I have 5 kids, live in Arlington, and do about the same things as you mentioned with books, music, activities, etc. Check out my post here- http://simplymusicwise.blogspot.com/2013/12/how-to-collect-books-on-budget.html
Thank for the thoughts, would love to talk more
Daniel says
You can print all Java-powered (SmartSource, RedPlum, Qples, etc.) coupons at my library in Mukilteo, and you can also get a free Sunday paper if you go at about 1 P.M. on Saturday.
Marisa Kellcy says
I have two daughters and both have a tablet and the oldest has a phone and a kindle and i think i will check this out on their tablets! :-)!
Sabrina says
I use the library to check out books to my Nook and Kindle. Never have to purchase a book and I love it!
Deborah Durkee says
I have a small inexpensive zNexus 7 tablet, with the Overdrive app and my librsry csrd# I can log into my library and check out books and audio books to read on my tablet. Also the Pandora app, has free music ($3.99) if you want w/o ads.)
I bought a $35.00 chromecast that plugs into the TV and it broadcast music, you tube, Netflix if you have a subscription, onto your big screen.
Lots of free entertainment!
Thanks, D
Marisa says
I take advantage of the ebooks and audiobooks available, also the King county library system has free, early editions of the Sunday paper on on Saturday mornings and I get my coupons and the weekly ads.
Angela says
Great tips! I don’t buy books or music, either. If my kids are interested in a particular book and want it more than once or twice from the library, that’s a good indication that I could buy it and not have it sit on the shelf. Also, I always, always VOTE for library funding! 🙂