Comments On Article: We Are Almost There

Today was my town day.  It had been Thursdays, but I changed it to Monday so I could do the grocery shopping before my kitchen day. I forgot, however, that I need help getting groceries in the house!  Luckily my husband works close to our house and I was able to pick him up and bring him home with me, then take him back to work after he brought in the groceries.  I guess town day will return to being a day he works from home and can bring in groceries more easily.

My next batch of errands got me thinking about libraries again.  I returned my borrowed state parks parking pass to my city library — it wasn’t due until 9/5 but since I wasn’t going to use it again I wanted to be a good citizen and have it available for another patron.  I had held books to pick from the country library, some of which were recommended here.  I pass the natural foods store on the way to the county library, so I stopped for soybeans.  Walking into the store, writing out my tag, getting soybeans from the bulk bin, paying and walking back to my car took 6 minutes, which is one reason it makes sense to combine it with the county library errand, as it’s a 15 minute drive each way.  I’ll be placing an Azure order for 25# of organic soybeans, so I bought just enough to tide us over.

While visiting the libraries I thought of more services they provide!  As I walked to the entrance to the children’s room, I was reminded of the lovely gardens on the library grounds.  There are many beautiful trees and bushes, and many rose bushes with roses in bloom!  There were also two fountains bubbling away, which was peaceful to hear.  I’ve mentioned before to my husband that once he retires instead of being people who hang out at the local coffee shop, we’ll go to the library and enjoy their spaces for free!  I realized I’d failed in my previous post to mention that most libraries offer free wi-fi!  I also forgot that libraries can be cooling spaces for the community!  I don’t know why I forgot that, as my mother would take us to the library on hot summer days, as we didn’t have air conditioning at home.

As I walked into the country library after going to the natural foods store, I stopped for a cool drink of water at the drinking fountain.  They don’t keep it set ice cold, but it’s cooler than tap water.  I realized I was thirsty at the store and I’d forgotten to bring my water bottle, but I knew this drinking fountain was here.  While checking out my books I noticed a senior citizen receiving a one-on-one lesson on not getting scammed on the phone and computer.  I’m guessing it was meant to be a class and they were the only one who came.  I also spotted the rows and rows of DVDs and Blu-ray Discs, most of which are available to check out for free.

Oh no Stephanie G, I hope the cold frame serves you well!  Life is always throwing things at us and we have to think on the fly and adapt as best we can.

Ann W, one thing I found with the budget is that not keeping one had us underestimating what we spent.  For example, we consistently underestimated how much we spent on groceries and how much we spent getting take out.  Really, unless we never went got take out, in which case it would be true that we’d spent zero dollars, it would be difficult to keep track of spending in our heads.  I agree having  it written down, as you said, makes it easy to know where you can cut in a crisis

I forgot to add the photo of my library books and didn’t seem to be able to edit my post to add them there.  Someone mentioned before that their library shows how much money you save with your checkouts.  Mine doesn’t do that, but I am sure I am over $1000 every year, just borrowing an average of one book per week (which I certainly) exceed

The ABCs of Serging — I’m learning to use my secondhand serger and need some help

Traditional Meals For the Frugal Family — I love a good frugal cookbook and decided to see what this one has to offer

The American Frugal housewife — I think I saw this mentioned here someone in a comment

Money Secrets of the Amish — I also saw this one in the comments

Our library used to put it at the bottom of the receipt how much we saved by borrowing books. I don't think they do it any more. Now the receipt is emailed. But mine was in the $100s if not a few thousand per year. 3 cookbooks or 3 art books and that's $100 right there. Not to mention DVDs or magazines. 4 kids plus me for a time was a lot of library materials. We also can check out things like telescopes and GoPros. They also give out free crafts kits or have free crafting programs. Our library also no longer charges fines. They stopped that probably 10 years ago. They also automatically renew materials to the max time limit. Even if I can't get to the library building itself I can access a ton of stuff online.

It really is a fabulous resource for the frugal minded!

Margaret P, I think I got even more value from the library when my children were still children!  They would leave with tote bags full of books all the way into their late teens, and I would have my books too.  And we did so many youth programs, again, even into their teens.  You’re right cookbooks really up the value we receive!  My county library eliminated late fees too, but they don’t auto renew.  You can renew up to 9 times, for a total of 20 weeks.  My city library finally ended hold fees during Covid.  Neither of my libraries have telescopes or GoPros to check out, but the city library has framed art to check out.  I have read about libraries that check out sewing machines, small appliances, tools, toys, and more!

Our city library hosts a repair clinic every 3 months.  It’s held by another group but the library provides the space and advertises it.  People volunteer to mend clothing, fix appliances and electronics, fix book bindings, repair broken ceramics, and more.  It’s another frugal resource for people!

Kimberly, I've heard of the fix‐it programs but our library doesn't do that. They do have a seed library and recently asked for volunteers to come and help package seeds for next spring's seed library. My daughter's library had a craft swap recently. I donated and then on the day I picked up a bag of useful things like fabric, embroidery floss and stickers for my grandson. I went last year and was able to get washable markers and crayons for my grandson in addition to fabric to sew garments for my grandchildren. I donated a ton of stuff as I now have a better idea of what I want to spend my time on.