THE BORROWS
SAVE $ 200
Borrow books from the library instead of buying them from a bookstore. Save up to $200 per year or more for a family of four while conserving the resources—mainly trees, water, chemicals and energy—used to produce and transport new books, reduce air and water pollution from paper mills, and diminish the waste that comes from used books being thrown in the trash instead of being passed on to friends and family. It’s hard to believe, but Americans throw away 2 million books per year. Libraries provide risk-free opportunities for trying out new authors, genres, or books that you and your kids might otherwise never read. Plus, they’re a great place to spend a relaxing family afternoon–especially because of the inside-voices required.
Shift-It Tip: Check out the storytelling programs your local library branch offers. Your kids can discover new authors or just listen to the children’s librarian read storybooks while you recharge your batteries with some historical fiction or a magazine.
