Who could resist the title and cover?
Considering most of what I read are free library books, rather a lot was spent last year on second-hand books from amazon and abebooks. I don't feel guilty because there are many things I don't spend money on, but I'd really prefer to spend less on books online. It's not something I have to do but I've set myself a limit for 2026 to not buy online as soon as I see something I really, really, want but to wait to the end of the month and if I haven't spent silly on coffees out then I'll look again at what's in the online basket.
And as my only food out in January was one bacon roll and coffee at Greggs when I went out shopping really early I had no hesitation!
And anyway the new book wasn't as much as the money I got for the box of books sent off to World of Books.
Methinks the lady doth protest too much!
Haven't had a chance to have a good look at the book yet so can't tell you if I'm regretting the purchase!
I've already put a fascinating book, read about on a blog, into my basket - IF I don't spend on any others or have any takeaways in February I'll look at it again at the end of the month.
I'm trying not to buy anything online and instead support local shops and businesses by buying and/or ordering from them. Like many my go to stores are charity shops but if I don't purchase from my local 'proper' shops (I live in a semi rural area where the big shops are 20 miles away) they will close which would be very sad.
ReplyDeleteI wish I could buy local for everything but it's too late - the shops have already closed
DeleteMy weakness is a good second hand book.
ReplyDeleteBut I also impulse buy them. Think I might give your, wait and see how finances do till next month, strategy a go.
It's only February so I've not been trying for long!
DeleteYou are very frugal so I think you earned this one. I never have coffees when I am out as I don't like coffee:) In fact, I am so tight over the cost of a cup of tea I got chilled one day at Malvern rather than spend £2.50 on a cup! Hence Gabby buying me a lovely Thermos flask for Christmas! That looks a super book. In my family history research, during WWI children were taken out of school to go and pick blackberries for jam for the War Effort.
ReplyDeleteHope Your next sale goes well and is warmer!
DeleteI knew some women who went as children with their teacher to pick rose hips to make syrup for babies. It's supposed to be a good source of vitamin C. You are very disciplined about book buying Sue, this one sounds a good purchase
ReplyDeleteEvery autumn I think about making rose-hip syrup but it's a fiddly job
DeleteI’m going to follow your example re: books Sue. I have rash moments when I think I want that, and order on Amazon. So I’m going to be more disciplined and wait at the very least a week. Also recently I have cut back on coffee whilst out. I’m starting to think I have good coffee at home and as I have to eat gluten free I’m restricted in choice and what is available isn’t as good as I can make at home and expensive. Hopefully the money I save I will use in the warmer weather for days out. Well that’s the plan let’s see how it goes! June
ReplyDeleteThere are so many things I don't spend on so I'm not feeling too guilty
DeleteMy weakness is the £0.99 deals on Amazon for my kindle! Like you, I'm trying to track and hopefully curb my book buying habit. Luckily (sadly) I don't go into shops and cafés much, so at least that temptation is much reduced.
ReplyDeleteThere's not much you can get for 99p nowadays so your kindle books are a bargain
DeleteThat's a good plan for resisting impulse buying books and the one you bought looks interesting.
ReplyDeleteI'm reducing my coffees out by taking my reusable mug with coffee from home. I still enjoy one as a treat occasionally, I don't drink alcohol or smoke so I think it's a frugal treat!
Penny
I don't drink or smoke either and don't buy make up things so books are my weakness
DeleteBook sounds really interesting, hope you like it.
ReplyDeleteI shall be cross if it's rubbish!
DeleteI only buy used books, both online and from charity shops. If there is a newly published book that I really want I ask for it for my birthday or Christmas.
ReplyDeleteI've got a big amazon wish list but no-one likes buying me books!
DeleteThat looks interesting. I don’t use amazon at all anymore. It’s just too easy to click away and more often than not, I find things cheaper elsewhere. I also wait for Christmas and birthdays if there’s something I really want that I can’t find cheaper.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds a good plan
DeleteI don’t comment often but i wanted to pop on to mention amazon pricing. I’ve stopped ordering from them because the owner is a supporter of demented donny. Yet, my son always gives us their gift cards for holidays and birthdays. When the holidays roll round, i put books in the wait and see column and go back to them to order, or not. Many, many times i’ve found that they’ve raised the prices! Sometimes by quite a bit. Recently, it was over 8.00 higher! I deleted it, of course or bought from someone else. Anyway, a long-winded way of saying, check the prices again before you hit the button.
ReplyDeleteI've just bought some bulbs for a lamp from Amazon that are not available anywhere else and they went down in price after I looked at them online and waited which was handy
DeleteI would rather buy books and craft materials than clothes. The book looks very interesting and I’ll enjoy little snippets from it as you read. Off to Readers’ Group this afternoon to discuss the awful book that was chosen for this month. Catriona
ReplyDeleteHope you have a better book next time
DeleteI did just order a book from Amazon a spur of the moment move that I talked myself into reminding myself of the things I do save money on. I think I had to talk myself into it because I use the library a lot and it seemed an extravagance to buy a book that I couldn’t get for free. I thought back to my childhood in a very small village in Kent with no library, and my parents who were really quite poor but always made sure there was a book for my birthday and some annuals for Christmas. Jean in Winnipeg
ReplyDeleteMy Mum thought books were a waste of money - magazines were allowed and annuals at Christmas but we didn't get many others
DeleteI was a country child in ww2, sent out with my older sisters to pick elderberries, bilberries and rosehips vital vitamin sources and antivirals. No tropical fruit available then, shipping lanes dangerous, so getting vitamin c was important. I think a good many elderberries were for wine!
ReplyDeleteI often think about making Rose-hip syrup but have never done it due to the fiddly hairs in them
DeleteI bought a book at the local bookstore yesterday (shop local!)
ReplyDeleteCharlotte's Web is a story I've enjoyed for many, many years and I read it when I was recovering from the flu and couldn't get to the library. My old copy was in tatters so I replaced it for future reading and sharing.
This is the first book that I have bought for myself in many, many years.
What a coincidence - they mentioned that book on the radio yesterday.
DeleteI would be tempted by that book cover, too. I hope it lives up to expectations.
ReplyDeleteMe too
DeleteI like your approach, save in one spot, spend in another (books).
ReplyDeleteIt all balances out nicely.
Hopefully!
DeleteI couldn't have resisted either!
ReplyDeleteThat book looks really interesting. Enjoy and let us know if you liked it.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
That books looks so interesting, I think I would have homed in on that one too!
ReplyDeleteThis year, I'm trying only to buy books costing 50p or less. One charity shop in the village charges upwards of £1.99 for a paperback. Much too expensive I think.
Angie
Looks like a good book! I think treats are deserved once in a while!
ReplyDelete