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SeaStar
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| Posted: Sept 20 2013 at 2:59pm | IP Logged
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Books, that is.
As homeschoolers, it makes sense that an easy way to save a bundle is to share books with others in your homeschool community. Even borrowing one history or math text can save $50 or more.
Within my homeschool group, a fair amount of book sharing goes on.
But, I admit, it is not my favorite thing to do. 
I have been burned a few times- loaning books out and not getting them back, or not getting them back in a timely manner. Once I bought a copy of Brigid's Cloak to use on Feb. 1. Another mom asked to borrow it in early January to see if she might like to buy one as well. She finally returned it to me mid-February, saying her kids had really enjoyed reading it on the feast day  .
I know it is selfish of me to dislike book loaning or borrowing, but there it is. Do you borrow or loan? Does it work well for you?
This week from the library I read a great Money Saving Mom Budget Book.
I found it full of great ideas on how to save a lot across a wide spectrum.
I also liked the stories of how real people have gotten through some tough times. If your library has it, it is worth reading over.
After reading it, I was inspired to ask my husband about CVS. We use it as our main drug store for prescriptions, since it is close and has a drive-through. Turns out that there was a build-up of $5 extra care bucks on our CVS customer card that I didn't even know about, since I rarely go there (dh does the drive-through). Every 10 prescriptions filled earns $5 that can be used as cash in the store! That is good to keep in mind with the winter coming up.
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Melinda, mom to ds ('02) and dd ('04)
SQUILT Music Appreciation
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Betsy
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I don't lend books any more! I have had similar situations as you. 
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CrunchyMom
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| Posted: Sept 20 2013 at 3:47pm | IP Logged
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I don't borrow anymore for that reason 
And I've had fa friend who, when I wanted to replace a damaged book refuse and told me to keep it So kind of them, but it made me feel awful, so I just buy my own and will perhaps look the book over while still in their possession at their home or at a meeting.
Really, though, there are few people around us who use the same resources, so I'm not sure it would make a significant difference in how much we spend.
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Lindsay
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Erin
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I lend all the time, I have a huge library and my friends rely heavily on it. I have occasionally been burnt but not often, more people who I haven't known well and they've left town. None of my regular 'borrowers', local friends have caused problems, reading this I realise I'm very blessed.
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SallyT
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Yes, I'm a bad borrower, so I generally don't borrow. The time a friend lent me her vintage Leonard Wibberly books, and my daughter left one on the floor and our rabbit ate the spine . . . Oh, my word. Want to ask me how grateful I am that that person is still my friend? I did buy her an analogous vintage book as a replacement, but I still cringe when I think of that.
I do lend things, but generally things I'm finished with and wouldn't mind not getting back. For example, I just lent a friend our copy of Fr. Lovasik's Picture Book of Saints -- which we have loved, but my kids have outgrown it. I'd like to keep it, but we aren't actually using it, so I wouldn't be heartbroken never to see it again (I can always get another one for the grandchildren someday!). Still, I put my name in it, because I'm optimistic that way.
I don't think I'd risk lending a book I intended to use in the future, and I don't really think that's selfish, any more than giving my children's dinner away to some passer-by and letting them go hungry would be noble. Know what I mean? There's selfish, but then there's prudential, and the fact that "love your neighbor" begins with the neighbors in your home . . .
Like Lindsay, I don't really know anyone who uses the same kinds of resources we do, so it's not an issue that often.
Sally
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DianaC
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I still do occasionally lend books, but reluctantly because so many haven't come back even when I have followed-up on them, and some that did come back did so in pretty poor shape.
I have stopped lending DVDs altogether, though. They are so pricey and very seldom were returned.
On another frugal note: I was in Kmart yesterday and found a huge section of their hair accessories marked down. They had quite a few stylish barrettes, combs, hairbands etc. for very good prices as well as basic supplies like bobby pins and ponytail holders. I got a few pretty pieces to put away for Christmas stockings.
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SeaStar
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I wonder what it is that makes people so casual about returning borrowed books? I've seen a mom drag the same battered sweat jacket (accidentally left at her house) to 4 or 5 events trying to find the missing owner. But books? Naw. No big deal.
I do find it helpful to look at books in the owners' homes when the occasion arises, but I don't like to borrow anymore, either.
People who lend are so generous. Erin- what a blessing you are to your friends!
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Melinda, mom to ds ('02) and dd ('04)
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pumpkinmom
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Target had some summer clothes and school supplies 50-70% off this week. I got a couple of shorts for next summer and a few school supplies. I was hoping to find dry erase markers but either they ran out or they weren't put on clearance. Our Target had a ton of binders for $1.48 and less! I bought a pretty one and I don't really need it, but for that price I will hold onto it.
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Kristie 4
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Is it frugal to now want to go buy the Money Saving Mom's Budget  Not at our library yet...
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Kristie 4
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I bought two lovely long shirt/dresses (to wear with tights) at $1.50 each! Makes me feel like I'm back in the 80s 
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Kristie in Canada
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guitarnan
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I have had problems lending books...and remembering to return books I have borrowed. I lend to a select list of friends only. I've lost too many books/VHS tapes because of other people's carelessness.
My frugal find isn't a find, it is a technological victory. I finally figured out how to borrow e-books from my library via the Internet!!! This will be a HUGE money saver for me, as I tend to buy books online when I can't get to a library. Now I can borrow e-books instead. 
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SeaStar
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guitarnan wrote:
I have had problems lending books...and remembering to return books I have borrowed. I lend to a select list of friends only. I've lost too many books/VHS tapes because of other people's carelessness.
My frugal find isn't a find, it is a technological victory. I finally figured out how to borrow e-books from my library via the Internet!!! This will be a HUGE money saver for me, as I tend to buy books online when I can't get to a library. Now I can borrow e-books instead.
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I was just trying to figure out the same thing on Thursday and gave up!
It would be a huge help if I knew how to do this. DH is going to help me this weekend. He said our library system for ebooks is goofy, so it's not just me . Anyway- you rock!
Love all the deals at Kmart and Target 
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Melinda, mom to ds ('02) and dd ('04)
SQUILT Music Appreciation
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Servant2theKing
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Love the idea of ebooks, but I'm not sure our limited internet would allow enough download. We've considered better internet service, but decided it wouldn't be very frugal. 
Lending, borrowing ~ oh, the dilemma of it all! Dc like to loan/borrow movies and games amongst their friends. But our adult friends have repeatedly said they prefer not to borrow for fear of damage/loss/etc., thus I don't offer out of deference to their concerns.
I found some kitchen towels I really like at Dollar Tree, for $1 apiece of course. They're 100% cotton terry with a gingham/stripe pattern. The towels look flat and non-absorbent in the store, but the terry fluffs up very nicely with the first washing. They're made in India. Best of all, they have a nice cloth loop sewn in a back corner for hanging, similar to much more expensive towels. I also picked up a couple drying mats at the same time. I didn't think I would like them very much, but it turns out they're perfect for drying glassware separate from plates and bowls.
Speaking of glasses, I purchased these tempered drinking glasses from amazon. They cost more than glassware sets we usually buy from Walmart or the like, but the reviews make me hopeful they'll last much longer than our usual fare, which tend to break with alarming frequency, making it a more frugal choice in the longrun at least. I chose 13 1/4 oz and 9 oz, since we use smaller glasses in order to economize on the amount of milk or juice we consume ,and since we still have an abundance of less used larger glasses from previous sets.
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SeaStar
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Ohh- those are such pretty glasses! Here, too, everyone seems to like the smaller glasses over the larger ones. But, they all break the same...sigh...
My frugal lesson learned recently is that it never hurts to ask.
My Vitamix was having serious motor issues, and at over five years old, it was time for a tune up. So I called the company just to see if maybe it might be covered still under warranty (not too hopeful since it was over five years since the purchase date.).
To my great surprise, it was still under warranty!! That saved over $150 plus shipping. And it came back to me with a whole new cannister/lid. And the service rep was really nice.
What a relief- I was really contemplating not sending it in for repair because of the cost.
Never hurts to ask!
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Melinda, mom to ds ('02) and dd ('04)
SQUILT Music Appreciation
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Mimip
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I only lend books to one person anymore after getting VERY burned.
I had an someone I called a friend borrow my FIAR volume 1 book along with most of the picture books. I knew she would borrow it for the whole year and was perfectly fine with that. Come May I ask for them back and she proceeds to tell me that her house cleaner misplaced them and she can't find them. (they were in two magazine holders). Fast forward two weeks when I call to ask about them again and she tells me that SHE remembers giving them back to ME! Literally at least a couple of hundred dollars down the drain.
SAD!
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Mimi
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4Real Forums : Our Lady's Loom, Larder, and Laundry
Topic: Frugal Friday 9/20: Do you borrow/lend?
