Crawfordsville District Public Library has resources in its collections that provide ideas on how to navigate this time of higher inflation — to improve your personal finances, develop thrifty habits, and learn new skills so you can save more of your hard-earned money and spend it in ways that are important to you and that enrich your family life.
Fun and practical personal finance titles in the library’s collections include: “Get Good with Money: Ten Simple Steps to Become Financially Whole” by Tiffany Aliche (332.024 Ali); “You Need a Budget: The Proven System for Breaking the Paycheck-to-Paycheck Cycle, Getting Out of Debt, and Living the Life You Want” by Jesse Mecham (332.024 Mec); “Personal Finance After 50” by Eric Tyson (332.024 Tys); and “The MoneySmart Family System: Teaching Financial Independence to Children of Every Age” by Steve and Annette Economides (332.4 Eco).
Practicing thriftiness can help you find extra money to save, pay down debt or spend on what is important to you and your family. Thrifty titles include: “Cut Your Grocery Bill in Half with America’s Cheapest Family: Includes So Many Innovative Strategies You Won’t Have to Cut Coupons” by Steve and Annette Economides (640.73 Eco); “I Brake for Yard Sales and Flea Markets, Thrift Shops, Auctions, and the Occasional Dumpster” by Lara Spencer (381.195 Spe); and “The Cheapskate Next Door: the Surprising Secrets of Americans Living Happily Below Their Means” by Jeff Yeager (332.024 Yea).
Learn new skills to enhance your life without breaking the budget: “The Useful Book: 201 Life Skills They Used to Teach in Home Ec and Shop” by Sharon and David Bowers (640 Bow); “The Sewing Bible for Clothes Alterations: a Step-by-Step Practical Guide on How to Alter Clothes” by Judith Turner (646.2 Tur); “How to Break an Egg: 1,453 Kitchen Tips, Food Fixes, Emergency Substitutions, and Handy Techniques” (641.5 How); and “The Complete Guide to Upholstery: Stuffed with Step-by-Step Techniques for Professional Results,” by Cherry Dobson (646.2 Dob).
Even if you don’t actually use these books to create a new coffee table, save money at the supermarket or change your car’s air filter, just the act of borrowing (and, of course, returning) an item from the library instead of purchasing it new will save you money — between $8 to $30 dollars depending on the type of book – which is definitely a thrifty habit to develop.
If you prefer DVDs or electronic books, the library carries titles on these topics on DVDs and in e-book format in the Libby and Hoopla apps. The library also purchases magazine subscriptions, such as Family Handyman, in print and electronically. These subscriptions and other streaming subscriptions, like Kanopy, owned by the library can help a thrifty family save.
Another resource, The Chilton Library, is a database that provides car and truck repair and maintenance procedures, a labor estimating tool, and ASE test prep quizzes for the most popular exams. The website is accessible at the library; for offsite access, contact the Reference Desk at 765-362-2242, ext.117.
Know your strengths and abilities when taking on new skills to save money. Keep in mind that it may cost more to call out a plumber or electrician to fix any emergency resulting from mistakes you may make than to just call them out in the first place.
During times of inflation, many people look for ways to stretch their dollars, so they may enjoy a nice meal at their favorite restaurants every once in a while, purchase that new laptop they need, or travel with their family next year. Make use of your library’s valuable collections for help to do just that.
Theresa Tyner is the director of the Crawfordsville District Public Library.
