I quit renting movies. Instead I utilize my local library. We get to keep the movies for seven nights and it is free.
By Tammie from Auburn, GA
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Aren't the Public Library's free movies great!
My kids do this all the time. Once a movie is available on DVD, they request it from the library. Sometimes they need to wait a little to get the movie but it's FREE. We don't have cable TV, so my kids watch a lot of movies.
I do this as well. However, remember there is a cost of doing this: driving to and from the library and your time to do so is not free and is not $5.00. In addition, movies from the library are more prone to being scratched and sticking during playback, which only sometimes cleaning can alleviate. To save money, I favor borrowing TV series, which one needs a longer time to do. I supplement this with Netflix, where I can stream as many movies as I want and with my subscription have DVDs mailed to me. I choose movies and other items I can watch in one evening, returning to my office mailbox the next day, and 2 days later, a new title. This costs me less than 75 cents per title, I rarely have a defective DVD, get newer titles sooner, have no time investment to go get them, and that's far less than driving to the library to pick up and another time to drop off a title there. My library gives you a week to pick up things, so I wait until a few have accumulated to keep my "per title" cost of those titles down. I also monitor when new DVD titles are coming out, as my library orders them prior to release. This way, I'm usually not #1000 on the list (seriously, the lines get that long if you wait too long). Occasionally, I get a freebie from my cable provider or Amazon, the former requiring sending in a rebate claim (i.e., some time), the latter no time at all.
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My family and I request movies online at our library. When they are in, they call me. I can keep them for a week for free. This saves time and money.
By Leslie from Brandon, MS
On-line access to the public library is marvelous use of a precious asset. I reserve books every week and music cd's quite often as well. If you have recently discovered an author you have not preciously read, the library website will give you a list of that author's works that are available. You can also go online to that author's website to discover all the books he or she has written.
My experience has been that the library goes to extraordinary lengths to obtain a requested item. I have read books that were not merely outside my library's system but even from across the state line.
Also, you have 24/7 access to the website if that is more convenient to you to renew items, place holds, etc.
The convenience of on-line library access is hard to overstate. It is a great money and time saver. (05/24/2009)
I also use the library regularly. About 3 yrs ago I started getting books from there vs. buying them constantly like I had been doing. Then about 6 months ago I started borrowing movies from there. I get an average of 3-5 movies a week now.
Then this spring I discovered the audio book section! I put a book CD or cassette into my portable CD or cassette player with headphones and mow the lawn. It really makes an unpleasant chore go a lot faster! And all this for the $25 annual renewal charge (since I live out of the county, and the library in my county is terrible) of a library card! (05/24/2009)
By Cricket
I use to do that a lot also. It is a great way to save money. Another great suggestion it to check your local pawn shop. I go a couple times a month to my favorite one because they have great prices on previously owned movies. They even have a folder they keep on the counter of dollar movies. These are those that came in without a box.
By Alita Ware
Libraries are very different. Some are really not a very pleasant place to go and others are always ready to smile and help anyone.
I lived in Gainesville, Fl and their system was the greatest! No fees were ever charged unless something was kept for a very long time.
This library system should be a model for all libraries as they make their own money with a very nice thrift store, semi-annual book sales (that are so great they need traffic cops), and annual fund raisers. Of course, all of this has to have great working top and bottom people.
Too bad other counties and states do not have to look at a system like this. I hated to have to leave this library city. (05/25/2009)
By cybergrannie
Libraries are such a great place to go, check out some books, videos, story time, other programs, discuss a Best Seller. We have a great Little Library where I live, and a system which allows you to request books, and videos from other surrounding towns. These are delivered to us, Library, and we don't have to go out of Town, which saves time and gas. Also they have several book sales a year whose profits help defray the cost of new books and materials. Currently they are selling videos which are donated. For $5 you fill a small plastic shopping bag. Great way to build your collection! If you haven't checked your local Library out lately make it a point to visit! (09/01/2009)
By Sandi
