Saturday, September 5, 2015

August Balancing the Books


Inspired by Fantasy Is More Fun and The Geeky Blogger's Book Blog, I decided to start tracking my book expenses this year. I'll do a wrap up post at the end of each month.

I've given myself $10 real money each month to spend on books, whether for myself, as gifts, or blog giveaways. "Real money" being cash from my bank account as opposed to gift cards and store credits. I am counting money spent to ship giveaways and Paperbackswap.com books. Books from my personal shelves, borrowed from the library or a friend, and books received for review do not count against my purchases.




STARTING FUNDS


Cash - $84.66
Amazon Gift Cards - $27.65
Other Gift Cards - $0
Amazon Promotional Credit - $0
Audible Credit - $0
Paperbackswap.com Credits - 15


SPENT/RECEIVED
 
Cash - $5.11
Amazon Gift Cards Spent- $11.10
Amazon Gift Cards Received - $0
Other Gift Cards - $0
Amazon Promotional Credit - $0
Audible Credit - $0
Paperbackswap.com Credits Spent -1
Paperbackswap.com Credits Received - 0

ENDING FUNDS

Cash - $79.55
Amazon Gift Cards - $16.55
Other Gift Cards - $0
Amazon Promotional Credit - $0
Audible Credit - $0
Paperbackswap.com Credits - 14

BOOKS BOUGHT - PRINT, EBOOK, AND AUDIO


BOOKS RECEIVED FOR REVIEW- PRINT & KINDLE
(includes both unsolicited & solicited books)

Playing Dirty by HelenKay Dimon
Exit Strategy by Lena Diaz
Her Lucky Cowboy by Jennifer Ryan
Heroes Are My Weakness by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
When A Scot Ties The Knot by Tessa Dare
 The Perils of Pleasure by Julie Anne Long
 Like No Other Lover by Julie Anne Long
Since the Surrender by Julie Anne Long
I Kissed An Earl by Julie Anne Long
What I Did For A Duke by Julie Anne Long
How The Marquess Was Won by Julie Anne Long
A Notorious Countess Confesses by Julie Anne Long
It Happened One Midnight by Julie Anne Long
Between The Devil And Ian Eversea by Julie Anne Long
Playing with Fire by Kate Meader 
Dodging Temptation by Avery Flynn
The Bollywood Bride by Sonali Dev
Blind Justice by Ethan Cross
Valiant Heart by Angela Addams
Chapelwood by Cherie Priest
A Man Worth Fighting For by Sara Daniel
An Apple Away by Kate Richards
Stop At Nothing by Kate SeRine
Led Astray: The Best of Kelley Armstrong
Murder Under the Mistletoe by Terri Reed

BOOKS FROM THE LIBRARY


FREE E-BOOKS & AUDIO BOOKS

BOOKS WON OR GIFTED

Lost by Laura K. Curtis (signed print ARC)
Harmonized by Mary Behre

I bought 5 books (one is in transit) for $11.10 in Amazon credit and 1 Paperbackswap.com credit, received 25 books for review or review consideration, 1 freebie, 1 gifted, and 1 that I won. I also read 10 of my own books! My review pile would have been half of what it is but I got my first print package as a member of Avon Addicts. I won't actually be reviewing all of them.
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8 comments:

  1. Lover Of RomanceSeptember 5, 2015 at 10:24 AM

    I think its great how you pay close attention to your budget for books. I have been more strict of my book budget lately...focusing on more library books and ARC's. But I am also thinking of using paperback swap again. I haven't used it in years. But I have been in the mood lately to read more paper books.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. BeaSeptember 5, 2015 at 12:42 PM

      I find that paperbackswap is great for books I either don't want to pay much for or for getting books that I can't get at the library or that have gone out of print. I keep a few of the ones I get from them but most I put back up on the site or donate to my local library.

      Delete
  2. Trish @ Between My LinesSeptember 5, 2015 at 10:53 AM

    I love this post! Lately I have been really tracking how many books I have coming in too and I find being aware just stops the impulse clicking and buying that I don't really need! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. BeaSeptember 5, 2015 at 12:44 PM

      It does, it really does help with the impulse requesting and buying. Laying it all out and being accountable is a great motivator and butt kicker. :D

      Delete
  3. AnonymousSeptember 5, 2015 at 1:15 PM

    I applaud you, but I can't follow your lead, sigh...

    I'm all over the place with my books, their sources, and the money I spend. I am trying not to buy books when they first release, even if I really would love to read them. (my "one-click, e-book buy" finger gets a workout, hehe) I receive only about 4-5 books from publishers/authors during the whole year, not including Netgalley, which I'm weaning away from again. That's fine with me now though, as I will be turning to some of my "older" titles and calling them Personal Reads...acknowledging that many of my blog readers will not be interested in acquiring them.

    Enjoy your toppling-TBR pile, Bea, looks like some fun titles in there.



    Enjoy your month's tbr pile; it looks like it is definitely toppling over ;D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. BeaSeptember 5, 2015 at 1:38 PM

      There's nothing wrong with reading, and reviewing, your own books! So what if they're older, there will still be an audience for them. Next year, I want to shift to a better balance on here of my own books and books for review. I also want a slower pace. Right now, I'm trying to whittle down at the promised review pile so I can focus more on my own books.

      Tracking them all is time consuming, but for me its worth it so I can see where my time and money are going.

      Delete
  4. StormiSeptember 6, 2015 at 3:57 PM

    I have been thinking of doing this next year so I can see exactly how many books I am buying or grabbing free each month. I know it's got to be more than I think it is...lol.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. BeaSeptember 6, 2015 at 5:12 PM

      I think it's worth doing; it really helps me pay attention and think twice about grabbing a book.

      Delete

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