I’ve been on a summer reading kick, trying to read as many new age books as my free time will allow.

And I’ve been trying to do this on the cheap because being a stay-at-home mom doesn’t pay very well. ;)

Below are the tips and tricks I’ve learned for making the most of a reading list while on a budget.

5 Ways to Read New Age Books While Saving Money

This list may contain affiliate links. See my disclosure policy.

1. Visit your local library

Your local library can be a jackpot of free information. I’ve been able to borrow books on crystals, spells, tarot, herbs, aromatherapy and essential oils — all from the modest-sized library in my small town.

Ask if your library participates in a statewide sharing network. If my library doesn’t have a book I want, I can request it from another library, which ships it directly to my local library for my reading enjoyment!

And, ask if your library offers audio and ebooks. I’ve been able to read many new age books this way, right on my iPad using the Kindle app, without ever leaving my house!

Cost = Free!

2. Trade your old books for “new” books

I’ve been an active PaperBackSwap trader for years now, and this is one of my favorite ways to receive new age books.

This is how it works: Register at the site and list 10 books you’d like to trade. You’ll then receive one “good faith” credit so you can request your first book from the site!

Book swaps are one for one on the site, so if you request a book from another member, you’ll need one credit for the swap (and the other member pays the shipping). If another member requests a book from you, you’ll pay the shipping and earn a credit at the swap’s completion.

You can make wish lists to keep track of which books you’d like, and you can even auto-request them when they become available.

I’ve had tremendous luck with this site. It’s a great community of avid book readers. Over the years, I’ve mailed 52 books to other members and have received 58 books. Only one trade was bad — the book was in incredibly bad condition, which is against the site’s trade rules — and PaperBackSwap refunded me the credit right away.

The biggest downside to this site is that you may experience a bit of a wait if the book you’d like isn’t currently posted by another member, or if the book is popular and on a lot of people’s wish lists. I’ve found that if I wish for enough books, I seem to receive swaps on a fairly regular basis.

The site also offers swaps based on your place in each book’s “wishing line,” so get registered, list your books and get those wish lists made so you can begin receiving new age books!

Cost = USPS Media Mail Shipping

3. Sell old books back to Amazon.com

 If you haven’t you tried Amazon.com’s Trade-In program, give it a looksy! I sent them three books that were collecting dust on my bookcase and they gave me a $17 Amazon gift card in return. Not too shabby, especially when Amazon paid for me to ship the heavy, hardcover books to them.

Of course, the downside of this method is that you are limited to purchasing something from Amazon. But if you’re anything like me, I have an Amazon wish list a mile long! I don’t mind receiving Amazon gift cards! I’ve purchased books, oracle cards and tarot cards this way.

You can trade in books, video games, electronics, CDs and DVDs… so, take a look around your house, you might have something of value to Amazon that can earn you cash for new stuff!

Cost = Free!

4. Use gift cards earned via Swagbucks.com

Swagbucks.com has been a Godsend for me as far as being able to acquire new age books and other goodies.

I’ve been earning enough Swagbucks for a $25 gift card each month. I usually redeem mine for an Amazon.com gift card, but what’s nice about Swagbucks is the variety of gift cards available: PayPal, Visa, Walmart, Target, Ebay, Starbucks, The Home Depot, Lowe’s, Best Buy, iTunes, Kohl’s… the list goes on! I’ve used my Amazon gift cards to buy new age books, oracle cards and tarot cards.

There are numerous ways to earn Swagbucks:

• Daily polls
• No obligation special offers
• Watching videos
• Playing games
• Taking surveys
• Searching the web
• Referring friends
• Redeeming coupons
• Team challenges
• Special offers
• Shopping
• Downloading apps

… to name a few!

My favorite ways to earn Swagbucks are swag codes, downloading/trying new apps, shopping online for things I’d be buying anyway, redeeming coupons and searching the web!

You can join Swagbucks here and begin earning toward a gift card today!

Cost = Mostly free, unless you choose to earn bucks via shopping

5. Buy bargain books at BookOutlet.com

I stumbled upon this website while browsing Swagbucks.com one day, and I’m so glad I did!

I exclusively search the “scratch and dent” section of BookOutlet.com, because I’ve found the best deals there. But, sometimes the Sale/Blowouts section has great steals, too!

Scratch and dent books may show some wear and tear or signs of handling, like a bend in the cover or bent pages.

In my experience so far, the scratch and dent books have been structurally sound with minimal wear, making them well worth the discount price. The condition has varied from no wear to a bend in the cover to some bent pages inside the book.

If you’re the kind of person who dog ears your pages anyway, or you just don’t mind a little cosmetic wear on what you are reading, this site could be a goldmine in terms of savings for you!

BookOutlet.com also has sent a “$5 off your next order” coupon each time I’ve ordered so far… which could make one or two scratch and dents books completely free the next time you order!

Cost = Under $5 for many scratch and dent books

Do you have a favorite way to save money on new age books? Please share it with me in the comments or join the discussion on Facebook or Twitter!