{"id":354,"date":"2025-08-24T14:26:21","date_gmt":"2025-08-24T19:26:21","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/readersgottaread.com\/?p=354"},"modified":"2025-08-24T14:26:21","modified_gmt":"2025-08-24T19:26:21","slug":"how-to-buy-books-for-cheap-budget-friendly-tips-for-book-lovers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/readersgottaread.com\/?p=354","title":{"rendered":"How to Buy Books for Cheap (Budget-Friendly Tips for Book Lovers)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I love to save money on things, and saving money on books is no exception. If you\u2019re a book lover on a budget, you know the thrill of finding a great read at a bargain price.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I have discovered several ways to get books cheaply when I don\u2019t feel like visiting our library. And yes, borrowing books from the library for free is the most frugal option available. But if you\u2019re looking to add to your own personal library\u2014or just aren\u2019t a fan of the borrowing limits, waiting lists, and drive-time to and from a library\u2014I\u2019ve got some frugal alternatives for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"643\" height=\"643\" src=\"http:\/\/readersgottaread.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Untitled-design4.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-355\" srcset=\"http:\/\/readersgottaread.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Untitled-design4.png 643w, http:\/\/readersgottaread.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Untitled-design4-300x300.png 300w, http:\/\/readersgottaread.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Untitled-design4-150x150.png 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 643px) 100vw, 643px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-large-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Online<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>1. ThriftBooks (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.thriftbooks.com\">thriftbooks.com<\/a>)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Free shipping on orders $15+<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Choose the condition of the book (New, Like New, Very Good, Good, Fair)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Use <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thriftbooks.com\/share\/?code=hMYENGTbhNd1CQbWFeDl6Q%253d%253d\">my referral link<\/a> to sign up for the ReadingRewards program. Spend $30 and earn a free book!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>2. AbeBooks (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.abebooks.com\">abebooks.com<\/a>)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Free shipping on select books<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Great for hard-to-find editions<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>3. Better World Books (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.betterworldbooks.com\">betterworldbooks.com<\/a>)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Free shipping on orders $15+<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Every purchase helps fund literacy programs<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>4. eBay (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ebay.com\">ebay.com<\/a>)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Huge variety of prices and shipping options<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Great backup if other sites don\u2019t have the book you\u2019re after<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\ud83d\udca1 <strong>Tip<\/strong>: Sign up for these sites\u2019 email lists to get exclusive coupon codes, and check the homepage banners for current deals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-large-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Thrift Stores &amp; Retail Deals<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>5. Goodwill<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Every trip is a treasure hunt! Typical prices:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Adult hardback books: $2.99<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Adult paperback books: $1.99<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Kids\u2019 books: $0.99<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\ud83d\udc49 Look for the \u201ccolor of the week\u201d sticker to score 50% off\u2014or 99\u00a2 on Sundays.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>6. Used Bookstores<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Usually cheaper than big chains<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Many offer trade-ins for store credit or cash<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-large-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Library Book Sales<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>7. Friends of the Library Sales<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Many libraries sell donated or retired books all year or during quarterly\/annual sales.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\ud83d\udca1 Example: My local library has its own bookstore where children\u2019s books are 2 for $1, and adult books are just a little more. They even hold \u201cfill a bag\u201d sales a few times a year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-large-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Garage &amp; Yard Sales<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>8. Neighborhood Garage Sales<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Books are usually $1 or less<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Look for boxes marked \u201c4 for $1\u201d or even better deals<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-large-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Additional Ideas to Save on Books<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>9. Facebook Marketplace<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Buy from local sellers to skip shipping costs<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Resell books after reading to break even<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>10. Book Trading<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Swap with friends and family<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Search local Facebook \u201cbook swap\u201d groups<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>11. Little Free Libraries<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Community book boxes with a \u201ctake a book, leave a book\u201d system<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Find one near you at <a href=\"https:\/\/littlefreelibrary.org\">littlefreelibrary.org<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>12. Digital Book Deals<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Check Kindle Daily Deals, BookBub, or Libby<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Opt for slower Amazon delivery to earn free Kindle credits<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-large-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>\ud83d\udcac Final Thoughts<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Where\u2019s the best place you\u2019ve ever found a bargain book? Share your favorite book-buying tip in the comments\u2014I\u2019m always looking for new ways to save!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>I love to save money on things, and saving money on books is no exception. If you\u2019re a book lover on a budget, you know the thrill of finding a great read at a bargain price. I have discovered several ways to get books cheaply when I don\u2019t feel like visiting our library. And yes, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[234],"tags":[236,237,242,238,240,99,241,235,239],"class_list":["post-354","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-cheap-books","tag-abe-books","tag-better-world-books","tag-book-trading","tag-ebay","tag-friends-of-the-library","tag-goodwill","tag-little-library","tag-thrift-books","tag-used-bookstores"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/readersgottaread.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/354","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/readersgottaread.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/readersgottaread.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/readersgottaread.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/readersgottaread.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=354"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"http:\/\/readersgottaread.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/354\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":364,"href":"http:\/\/readersgottaread.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/354\/revisions\/364"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/readersgottaread.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=354"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/readersgottaread.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=354"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/readersgottaread.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=354"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}