Who doesn’t love a good thrift? A great find at a garage sale or from your local secondhand store can be both a money saver as well as a shot of joyful retail therapy! How about free? What’s better than free? With an analysis of Bureau and Labor Statistics data showing that consumer prices have increased by 20.9 percent since 2020, finding ways to pinch a penny can truly make a difference in cutting costs in anyone’s budget. Below are some examples of how your community library can save you money, too!
Living frugally benefits more than just your wallet. When you feel like you have some control over your finances, even if you are just making ends meet, it reinforces a healthier mindset. Money stress affects our overall health, as any form of stress does, which makes money management a huge health asset – and our health is the most valuable thing of all. Finding ways to budget and save money supports healthy aging.
Five Unique Ways Your Library Saves You Money
- Wi-Fi and Internet Access: For anyone who may not have internet access in their budget this service can be a life saver. We live in technological times and access to Wi-Fi and the internet is not a luxury but a necessity. Free Wi-Fi and computer access can also be a godsend to travelers, vacationers, and those transitioning as they move to a new town. Frugal Tip: Paying for internet access can cost anywhere from $75-$150 a month vs free at the Library!
- Entertainment: From in-person Monday Movie nights with popcorn, to our vast selection of DVD’s. From Kanopy online which provides thousands of free documentaries and movies for free with your library card, to video games; the library is an entertainment center. If you are looking to slim down your budget by cutting out subscriptions like Netflix, Hulu, or Cable, you won’t miss out when using your library card for a wonderful selection of entertaining choices. Frugal Tip: Streaming subscriptions can range between $14.99-$19.99 a month vs free at the Library!
- Magazines and Newspapers: Whether you love to read with a device or prefer the touch of your favorite magazine’s glossy pages, the library offers both. Whether your interest is in science, cooking, décor, finance, or fashion; the library has a diverse selection. You will also find popular newspapers like The Wall Street Journal and the New York Times! Frugal tip: Magazine and newspaper subscriptions can run between $10-30 a month vs free at your Library!
- Audiobooks: Library cards come with access to the Libby App giving patrons the opportunity to access a large catalog of audiobooks on your phone. You may enjoy listening to a great mystery on a road trip, or sharing a Magic Tree House adventure with your kids, or plugging into a meditation book on a sleepless night. Frugal Tip: Audible App cost is $7.95 a month vs free at your Library!
- Programs and Classes: Your community library offers a host of programs and classes for all age groups. Adult patrons have been enjoying such classes as Line Dancing, Yoga, Open Mic Poetry, The Sirius Astronomy Club, the Longevity Society and more. Family fun programs offered are Canine Culture, Yoga for Kids, Cartooning with Mr. Jan, and the Chess Club to name a few. These are examples of free programs for all community members. Frugal Tip: Classes can range widely in cost, but if you paid $15 for one class and took it four times in one month, you’d be spending $60 vs free at the Library!
Five more notable (free) mentions from the library: 1. Books, books, and more books; 2. Learn a language with Mango; 3. Tech help; 4. Culture Passes; and 5. Notary Public Service. Go to our website or give us a call to learn more.
I know that I personally save hundreds of dollars a year by checking with my library first before purchasing certain items. If you are interested in estimating the savings you earn from regularly using your library card, you can go to the following website which has a handy-dandy library calculator that allows you to calculate your savings. https://ilovelibraries.org/what-libraries-do/calculator/.
If you don’t have a library card yet, what are you waiting for? It’s the best thrifty savings card you will ever have in your wallet!
Patty’s Frugal Living Booklist:
If you’d like more information about living a more frugal, aka a more healthy, life, here are some of my favorite titles. Old Fashioned on Purpose: Cultivating a Slower, More Joyful Life by Jill Winger; The Psychology of Money: Timeless Lessons on Wealth, Greed, and Happiness by Morgan Housel; Save-It-Forward Suppers: A Simple Strategy to Save Time, Money, and Sanity by Cyndi Kane; The Art of Upcycling: Creative Ways to Make Something Beautiful out of Trash, Thrifted Finds, and Everyday Recyclables by Emma Foss; The Thrifty Baker: Shop, Bake, & Eat on a Budget by Hermine Dossou; and L’art de la Simplicite: How to Live More with Less by Dominque Loreau.
Patty Kelly is an Assistant Librarian in charge of Interlibrary Loans, a co-host of the Longevity Society, and a local author. Sedona Public Library is an independently run, 501(c)(3), privately owned, debt-free, non-profit organization providing public services. Support comes from the City of Sedona; your property tax dollars from Coconino and Yavapai Counties; and businesses, foundations, and individuals like you, as well as the amazing Friends of the Sedona Library who have supported the Library for more than 55 years. Please visit us at sedonalibrary.org/donate to make a gift today.
As published by Red Rock News
Library News Column for September 27, 2024, by Patty Kelly, Library Assistant