Finally, here’s the first post in the ‘Friday’s List’ series. It was a super busy day because I wasted most of it browsing internet, as always. Anyway, finally it’s here. This idea of how to save up on books was there in my head subconsciously ever since I read a similar post on bluchickenninja. If you are a book lover, you are most likely a book hoarder too and that is never good for your wallet. Here are some tips on how I satiate my cravings to buy books without going broke:

1. Know your city’s book haunts                                                                                                                               Every city has it. If you are shaking your head and saying no, then you probably don’t know about it in your city. Every city would have some market where you can buy old books for cheap, it would either be a small dingy shop or a big famous weekly market or an old library but something would definitely be there. For example, in Delhi (and I do realize Delhi has advantages when it comes to markets), there is a Sunday book market in DaryaGanj (Old Delhi), there is this and many, many more small shops that we are not aware of. It helps being aware of these places (although I have never been to these two). This point also includes those ‘a kilo for 100 rupees’ kind of shops/stalls. 🙂
2. Be aware of online discounts                                                                                                                                  Yes, stating the obvious. With other things, you can estimate whether the quality is worth your money but, with books, there is only one rule – how badly you want it. You can never justify the amount. Any discount is good discount but you can easily notice that good websites for books like Amazon India and Flipkart come up with great discounts every once in a while. So, you don’t have to give up before those bumper sales, don’t fall for 10%-20%, wait, 60% is coming. For example, I have noticed that Amazon has amazing sales on books around Independence Day. 🙂                          
3. Know your city’s book cafes                                                                                                                                    This trend is soon catching up and who wouldn’t love food+books in one cozy place? Although I don’t have much experience, but I think you can sit and read for as long as you want at most of these places. Of course, this is not exactly buying the book but, maybe, just maybe, you wouldn’t want to buy afterwards. The experience might be fulfilling enough. These places host book launches as well. For example, Oxford Bookstore, N-Block, Connaught Place. MUST VISIT place if you are into books.
4. Wait for the hype to die down                                                                                                                                       If you can, that is. 🙂 In today’s fast changing world, even new releases get discounted pretty soon and if you combine that with point 2, your wallet will thank you.                                                                                                                        
5. Be the patron of a store                                                                                                                                                  If you visit some local store of your city regularly to buy books, the store people feel equally warmed up to you as you are to the store. They would always keep you updated about discounts, new launches, availability. This will especially be valid for small cities.
6. Know your libraries well                                                                                                                                                 Again, this is not exactly buying books but once you find some place to get continuous flow of books for reading, your hunger to actually buy will subside a bit. Caution: This backfires too. I ask my mom to get books from her office library and they are such lovely old editions that it hurts to return them.                                                                                
7. Keep an eye for ‘buy/sell/rent books’ platforms                                                                                                         There are many websites and physical stores which provide the facility of selling books and buying books, even renting them. It’s hard to sell off books but there would definitely be some in your cupboard that you might want to. Plus, buying books from these places might come out cheaper.
8. Do not just confine to your reading list                                                                                                                        Yes, we all have reading lists but don’t confuse it with a buying list. There should never be a buying list. Be adventurous about buying books. If you are getting a good deal, take chances about buying books that you weren’t even aware of.
9. Book Swaps                                                                                                                                                                     Again, this is not exactly buying but, at times, this may help you in getting a book that you want to read by giving away one that you are fine parting away with. I have hardly done this.                                                                                    

That’s it. As for myself, I follow 2, 4, 8 strictly. 😀 I follow 1 quite less due to time constraints but I would love to follow it more often. I have slowly begun doing 3 and I am loving it.

Which ideas do you agree/disagree with? Any more tips to save on books? 😀