If you're reading this blog post, you have the exact same 'problem' I do - so let's talk how to save money while buying books..or maybe how to make money while enjoying your favourite hobby!
Let's now waste anymore time, here are 20 ways you can save (or make money) for/while buying books!
1. Honey Chrome Extension
Honey is the perfect, free chrome extension to help you find discount codes automatically at checkout, including Book Depository, Waterstones, WHSmith, HMV & World of Books UK.
With many purchases you're also able to earn 'Honey Gold' which can help contribute to a gift card of various stores - sign up here.
If you're going to only follow one of these tips, let it be this one - not only will you likely save money on books but also on all your online purchases!
2. Kindle Unlimited
Kindle Unlimited has got to be one of the best ways to save money on books!
Choose between over a million eBooks and thousands of audiobooks with Kindle Unlimited. Sign up for 1 month FREE trial, then pay only £7.99 a month for unlimited books, with the option to cancel your subscription at anytime - sign up here.
3. Zilch
If you've been following me you'll no doubt have seen me talking about this one, because I still can't get over it! Sign up to Zilch to be rewarded £15 (at no cost and with no commitments) which you can then use to buy yourself a FREE £15 Amazon giftcard.
Check out my blog post which takes you through a step-by-step guide to get your free giftcard; available here!
You can also earn money back by buying any future Amazon, Waterstones, The Works or Book Depository purchases with your Zilch card!
4. Scribd
Scribd offers an incredible range of audiobooks (as well as eBooks,) and what's even better is that you can read unlimited books each month! Scribd is the platform I choose to listen to audiobooks as I love the diverse selection available, as well as the fact you're not limited on how much you're reading each month!
I've used Scribd to listen to books such as It Ends With Us, The Spanish Love Deception, The Seven Husbands Of Evelyn Hugo, No Exit, It Happened On Summer & so many more!
Scribd is an incredible way to save money longterm, however in the short term it's even better when you sign up for free with no commitments for 60 days free trial - sign up here.
5. Top Cashback
Top Cashback can be used manually or by installing the Top Cashback Chrome extention and allows you to get cash back on a large variety of purchases.
It's one I've avoided for a while as it seemed too good to be true, but after using it for only a couple of months I've already made £10 from my recent purchases. I'd definitely recommend using the Chrome extension so you don't miss out!
Sites rewarding cashback on books include WHSmith, Waterstones, The Works, Book Depository, Abe Books - sign up here.
6. Free Trials
Although only benefiting you in the short term - free trials can be an amazing way to save money and also allow you to spend your money wisely by testing out what works for you before you spend a penny! Let me be the friend you need and remind you that you likely have more than one email address, so free trials don't need to be limited to one per person...
Free trails include:
60 day free trial of Scribd (unlimited audiobooks & eBooks)
30 day free trial of Kindle Unlimited (unlimited eBooks)
30 day free trial of Audible (large variety of audiobooks and podcasts).
You can also sign up for a free trial of Amazon Prime which allows you to save money on the delivery of your books - Prime also comes with Prime Video, Amazon Music and Prime Reading (read selected materials for free). Sign up for a free trial of Amazon Prime - here.
7. Price Drops
Each week I try make this one easy for you and compile a list of the latest book price drops - check out this weeks price drops here.
If this is something you'd like to do yourself, create wishlists on Amazon or Book Depository and each weekend check to see if any have been reduced (Saturday is normally the best day for this).
8. Plum App
Now this one is a little different but it's been a life saver for me the past year!
Plum is an incredible way to save money... without even thinking about it! There are many features of Plum; these include putting a % of your income away to save every month, trackng your income/outcome, rounding up your purchases to put into savings, investing your money in stocks/ISAs, cashback offers and so much more!
You can use Plum for free, I personally use the £1 monthly subscription and feel I get SO much in return, there's also a membership option for £2.99 (this includes 52 week saving challenge, cashback, set goals, raining day saving challenge).
Want to sign up to Plum? Click here to sign up for free to start saving/investing.
Want to know more? See Plum recommended on Money Saving Expert or watch this Youtube review.
9. Read books through your library
Become a member of your local library to borrow a range of physical books or sign up to Borrow Box to access a variety of eBooks and audiobooks through your library for free.
10. Waterstones Plus
Sign up to Waterstones Plus for the bookish version of a loyalty card. For every £10 spent you get 1 stamp; 10 stamps rewards you with £10 credit! Join Waterstones Plus here!
11. Kindle
Utilising a Kindle can largely reduce the overall cost of your books (options include Kindle or Kindle Paperwhite), or can be utilised on other technology using the Kindle App.
Already have a Kindle or Kindle app? Make sure to check out the Kindle Daily Offers for incredible deals or sign up to Kindle Unlimited.
12. Buy Second Hand Books
Whether it's switching with a friend, going to a charity shop or buying second hand books online, buying used books is a great way to save money.
Online options for second hand books include Book Ban Store, Abe Books, World Of Books, Oxfam, Music Magpie, Amazon or eBay.
Make sure to sign up for Top Cashback as they reward you with cash back on a variety of these purchases.
13. Book Swap
Sign up to Book Swap to swap books with other readers.
14. Audiobooks
Use Audible (1 month free trial), Scribd (2 month free trial, unlimited) or Borrow Box (free from your library) to listen to audiobooks and reduce your overall cost of reading, while increasing your time available and opportunities to read!
15. Amazon First Reads
Sign up to Amazon First Reads to get monthly emails with 9 newly released books from 9 genres at a discounted price; audiobook for £0.99 or paperback for £3.99! Sign up here.
16. Email Subscriptions & Readalongs
Sign up to Bookstragrammers or Tandem Collective for opportunities to be involved in free readalongs.
17. Swap or sell your books
Make money from your TBR; either swap or sell your books. The easiest approach would include sites like We Buy Books, Music Magpie, Zapper & Ziffit however these will likely make you the least money.
If you're happy to put in a little more effort, you can sell your used books on eBay, Depop or Facebook Marketplace.
Another great option to sell your books is to utilise your Instagram stories to share books you're wanting to sell (also can swap books with your followers instead).
18. Supermarkets
Tesco, Saisbury's and Asda have massively stepped up their bookish games recently and often have incredible prices too, so this can be a great way to save your money on books. Check out my Tiktok showing Tesco's latest selections.
Make sure to get a Tesco Clubcard or Sainsbury's Nectar card to be rewarded for your purchases, this also now allows money off selected books at Tesco.
19. Book offers
Check out The Works for their 3 for £5 deals, or Amazon's 2 for £7 offers (including some books which are over £7 on their own).
20. Book Of The Month
*Cries my English tears*
Book Of The Month is available to all American readers; it's an incredible service which finds the best new reads—with an emphasis on early releases, fresh perspectives, and debut authors, allowing you to choose from the picks each month (any month can be skipped too). Sign up and get your first book for only $9.99!
I really hope I've given you some good ideas or tricks that you'll find useful for the future. Please note - not buying books wasn't mentioned, because I don't support self sabotage, happy shopping!
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