I've always been a bit of saver. Ever since I was about 10 and started getting pocket money I would put it all in the bank and not spend a penny. These days...yeah not so much. I used to just splurge but I now have a huge collections of books and I don't have the room nor the capacity to read new books when I have so many sitting on my shelf waiting to be read.
So I came up with a reward system. Every time I read a book off my bookshelf I put £2 in a piggy bank which is my book allowance. This means that I have to read the books I already have before I can buy new ones. It encourages me to read faster if I really want to buy a book, as well. Win win.
So do you save or splurge? Or do you have a system in place to help control your addiction?
Tell me your thoughts in the comments section below :)
I'd like to tell you I'm a saver: I was for a year or two. Before and after that (=now), big big buyer.. I should set myself a budget to control my book buying habit, but I don't know how to work that out.. I think your system is great btw! Maybe I'll use that as well :) Curious to see in a couple of months if it's still working!
ReplyDeleteI found it really hard and I since I like rewarding myself :P I thought it would be a great idea. I do hope that it sticks. Sometimes I know I just won't be able to wait!
ReplyDeleteYou have a really good system! I don't get pocket money (my parents just don't listen!) so I never get the chance to actually splurge :/ If I actually had the money, I'd probably save and then buy a few of my most-wanted books at the end of the month or something like that..hm..
ReplyDeleteI'm a total splurger! I tried to have a book budget last year, but it didn't work. And you should see all the money I spend on postage. I am a member of bookmooch, and I also like to share books with my blogger friends. My postage costs are insane!
ReplyDelete♥Iffath: Thanks :) I think some self control is needed or I would completely run out of money!
ReplyDeleteLeanna: It definitely takes some self control to stick to a budget. That is really kind of you to share books with your blogger friends, super nice :)
I love your idea of rewarding yourself for reading the books you've already got. I'm really bad at that, I have so many books on my shelves that i haven't read but i keep getting more. I have started a system where i try to borrow a book from the library first then if I absolutely love it and will re-read it, I will then buy it. This has saved me quite a bit. But if there is a new book out in a series I love then I will just buy it straight out and splurge.
ReplyDeleteIt's hard restricting when you see one that looks so amazing. I may start following your reward system though, really good idea. :D
That is a good idea. I'm a sucker for a pretty cover though. I love just having the books there, looking pretty. Thank you :)
ReplyDeleteThis is a good idea! l actually might do that, although l would probably put the allowance down to only 50p a book as l really need to cut down on the books l buy even if l have room!
ReplyDeleteOnly thing is l would be a bit nervous that l would just rush my reading so l can buy a new book!
Oh! Lovely idea!!!! Right now, I "reward" myself with B&N gift cards that I get from swagbucks.com, but I think I should also start gathering loose change and save those towards books. :)
ReplyDeleteGreat post! I used to not have a budget, but I wasn't splurging all the time, either--maybe once (or twice, at the most) a month, I'd splurge. But I've always used the library a lot since I'm hesitant to buy books that I'm not sure I'll love (I try to only buy books that I assume I'll read more than once; this doesn't always happen, but currently, every book I own I've either read multiple times or plan on reading again).
ReplyDeleteRight now, I actually do have a budget for books, and it's that I can't buy any. I'm going to grad school in about 6 months, so after paying my bills and buying things I'll need for grad school (which isn't much), my paychecks go into my savings account.
I thought it would be really hard to not buy books, but it's been easier than I expected. I have a Borders gift card from my birthday last year, as well as one from Christmas, so if there's something I really want, I'll get it, but right now, there's nothing that I'm dying to own. The library meets most of my reading needs just fine. :)
This is such a fabulous idea! I think once I'm done being a broke recently graduated college student, I am going to implement this budgeting system. While splurging on books is loads of fun, this system kind of makes sure you read all those books you might have bought months ago or years ago but cast aside because of new purchases. Great idea!
ReplyDeleteBooksforCompany: I am a little worried about that too but I would never rush a book so much that it would ruin the enjoyment. I don't have time to rush a book these days, I barely have time to read.
ReplyDeleteCialina: Thank you :) I'm saving up for amazing gift cards on Swagbucks too. I love that site! I put my pennies in my book allowance too :)
T.B: My mother was my incentive really. She kept tutting at me, telling me to read the books I have. She approved of my system so here it is. I think it is quite important to keep track because if I didn't I'd look in my bank account and have nothing left!
Kelly: That is so great. I wish I was able to do that. I love the library but I always feel under such pressure to read it quickly and I normally have so many other things to be reading. Have you considered joining my library challenge: Details are here: http://thereaderroom.blogspot.com/2011/02/library-reading-challenge-reviews.html
That is what really kicked me into gear into spending less. I'm off to uni in a few years but I really want to save now because I can't get loans. I don't want to be in severe debt either.
That is really great. I do own a lot of great books at the minute so I'm not under huge strain but it is usually sequels I want to get my hands on quick!
Jackie: Thanks :) Splurging is a lot of fun but yes when money is low or you are saving a system is needed. Definitely, I always bought new books and read them, ignoring once I bought months ago. Thanks again :)
I splurge so much! I love your system I really need one so I might adopt it ;) Fab post!
ReplyDeleteI am a crazy splurger! I have zero self-control. Yesterday, I ordered 7 books in one go! It's like every day I find a book I would like to read and I feel compelled to buy it lol I blame book bloggers :D
ReplyDeleteJessheartsbooks: Thank you :)
ReplyDeleteMisha: Definitely! Book bloggers are the reason I buy so much. They recommend things and I just have to get them!
Aw well l hope you get more time to read soon! l hate not being able to read much =(
ReplyDeleteThanks :) I hate it too. I feel like I'm missing a part of me.
ReplyDeleteThat's such a good idea! I just tend to buy a load when I have the money... *gets to work on making a book budget* :D
ReplyDeleteAw Thanks Cicely :) Managing a book budget has to be the hardest thing about a book addiction!
ReplyDeleteWow, what a great idea! I think I might steal it from you...
ReplyDeleteThanks :) Feel free!
ReplyDeleteThat is a fantastic system! What a great way to motivate yourself... I know I've got a shelf full of books that I've been meaning to read.
ReplyDeleteI know this sounds terrible, but for years my book budget (excepting school books, of course) has been zero! I've worked in bookstores and libraries for over a decade, and I've been getting piles of ARCs before most of the world even knew what they were. So, I'm really, really spoiled!
Plus, working in a library makes it easy for me to stay on top of returning my library books on time. I'm there everyday, so it's the easiest thing in the world to come in to work, check my e-mail, and check the due dates of my books.
Right now, I'm debating if I want to establish a book budget for myself... since the library has had it's funding slashed, meaning NO NEW BOOKS and there are too many great things coming out this year that I don't want to miss! I've got about a dozen books to get through on my nightstand right now, and after that... I'm feeling a little panicky -- afraid I'll run out!
Thank you! That is so great. I would love to work in a bookshop or library.
ReplyDeleteThat is definitely a perk!
Aw, that is no good! This year is definitely going to be a great year so I completely understand not wanting to miss out. A book budget might help you manage that!