Book Credit!

Remember the free books I gathered and talked about a few days ago here, (nine of them were in Italian) well when I went in to the second hand book shop in the CBD, I saw the Borneo book I wanted for $25. So I pulled out my bag and asked if I could gain store credit for my books. I was feeling shy and nervous as I have never done this before. I was encouraged with a smiling yes and I crossed my fingers I would get enough credit for the book I want.

Well, let me tell you.....

It was totally worth it! I was given $60 store credit!!!!!! I'm so thrilled as I now have $60 to spend at my leisure on books that I want. I left the Borneo book behind because the manager told me it was now a popular destination so I know that book will be on the shelves again and we are not going for another year.

Each great experience like this encourages me to step forward away from my comfort zone and ask, because an ask is rarely declined. And in this occurrence it surpassed my expectations. Another win on my eco frugal life.

Have you ever gained store credit for your books, clothes or anything else?

(By the way, I did go and pick up The Rambling Expat in the darkness of the night. I am happy that I pushed myself, it's nice for The Rambling Expat to have family greeting him instead of waiting in a long queue for a taxi and wasting money. For those who pop over to his blog from time to time he has a fishing lure GIVEAWAY if you enjoy fishing.)

Not Too Proud To Accept Your Castoffs

Many people feel too embarrassed or superior to give hand-me-downs to people they know. Either they give directly to charity shops or worse throw the stuff in bins so that no one can benefit from them.

Others feel too embarrassed or superior to accept hand-me-downs. They prefer to purchase everything new. Would never dream of accepting a castoffs or heaven forbid, step into a second hand shop.

Well not me... And my credit card is not maxed out, actually it's usually a $1 in positive credit. I use it sparingly and pay off any purchases within 2 days of using my card. I don't give it much of a workout because I don't buy much "new" stuff.

So when you give me your castoffs, hand-me-downs, outgrown stuff, unwanted items, used things - I LOVE IT! I can sort and take what I want, give to to others, put some on Freecycle or give to my local op shop. Not only are you making me happy with your used gifts but you are helping me save money towards my mortgage and you are helping the environment by giving the stuff another chance. Once I'm done with your stuff it will be passed on, repurposed, recycled or composted depending on it's use and state.

Our friend Nathalie and her gorgeous daughter gave us this lot of out grown books and CDs. We didn't say "No thanks" or feel embarrassed. We were thrilled to receive such a cool stash.

English Books and CD.

French Books and 8 CDs of Stories.

We sorted Dolly's book shelves to make room and have now prepared a bag of 10 outgrown books to give to a baby in the block of flats next to ours. We are not too proud to give and they are not to proud to accept and so the cycle continues.

We are not poor and could buy stuff, however we have decided to use our money wisely and want to look after our planet. How about you? Are you too proud to accept other peoples unwanted stuff?

Bargain Galore

I load my arms with some of the best goodies on offer, head to the self service machine, swipe my card, bag up my items and leave smiling. I get that same "entertainment feeling" that shopping gives without the guilt and gloom as my bargain was FREE. I shopped at the public library and the card was the good old fashioned library card.

Friendly Children's Area - Where Kids Can Play and Read.

People need to use their libraries more. The more people use them the more books will be on offer and the less risk of libraries closing down due to the lack of use. This particular library I frequented today has a eclectic group of patrons. It's Sunday afternoon, there is nothing to do and it's balmy hot. The library offers a friendly, airconditioned facility, furnished with chairs, desks, computers and lounges. And best of all it's full of reading material for all types of people and tastes.

As I've mentioned before I love the fact that I can take a whole pile of books and movies home and return them when I'm done. A great solution to my hoarding behaviour. And because it's FREE, I take a risk in my book choices knowing if I don't like my pick it's not a problem as I can swap it for a better choice.

I use 3 libraries and they come under the 1 city council body. This means I just need one card and I can return my books to any of them at any time through a outdoor slot. I love the ease. Our local libraries have also recently added the offer of WIFI. Today I saw a blue collar worker sitting back chatting to a mate through Skype. And I thought how wonderful the facilities on offer are. They really do allow for people to come together under one roof without the need to spend $$$.

Here's my very interesting loot today. I've already dipped into The Spend Less Handbook. Gittinomics looks super interesting, click here to read a few pages. Daddy's Little Earner is one of those sad life stories of abused children. Soap making still on my mind...

All Non Fiction and 3 DVDs

Here's Dolly's pile to expand her imagination and reading knowledge. How lucky we are to have access to books and to know how to read.

Charlie & Lola, Unicorns, Santa's Birthday, Fairies and Talking Animals

The Rambling Expat still has 8 popular and recent French books to get through that I purchased earlier this year for 50 cents each at the op shop!!! Top score, as I must admit the library can be lacking on recent books in French. But look at this great community announcement on the noticeboard.

FREE Japanese Cultural Day and Activities.

Have you been frequenting your library in search of those eco frugal living books such as money, crafting, cooking and the likes? What's been a great eco frugal inspiring book you've read lately? Mine has been Radical Homemaker. LOVED IT!!! Ask your library for it as you might enjoy it too. By the way, I'm a Feminist and do not view this book as move away from Feminism. I see the world issues of global warming needing new leaders, new ways of doing things and that also means new waves and theories of feminism. So what book has inspired or interested you lately?

Do You Use Your Library To Save & Learn

As a family we went to the library last weekend and will head there again today. When I get so caught up in life and become over busy I forget how great the public library is.

Libraries save money and prevent cluttering of more purchased books when you're a book lover like me. They are also ecological as the books purchased by the library are for many people to read instead of just one. Now that must be saving millions of trees worldwide!

Because I have a book addiction and hoard them, I would like to stop buying them on a regular basis. Even though they are inexpensive quality second hand books which cost between 50 cents to $3, they clutter up my home and are unnecessary purchases. Therefor to cut back on the book buying means getting my family to the library on a regular basis, and that makes me very happy indeed.

Our libraries also have games, puzzles and a few toys to play onsite. Dolly loves all of these and thrives on the interaction with other children. It's a nice calming place for her to play in and relaxing for us.

These are the great books I got out last weekend: (A lot I know... but I couldn't resist). The ones in Purple are being returned today as they are finished.

Me:

My Books - Dolly crafting on the side.

1. Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver.
2. Green is Good, Smart Ways to Live Well and Help the Planet by Rebecca Blackburn.
3. The Idiots Guide to Making Natural Soaps by Sally Trew and Zonella Gould (too hard at this stage of my life).
4. The $21 challenge by Fiona Lippey and Jackie Gower from Simply Savings.
5. Pumped 101 Ways to Beat Petrol Prices by Roz Hopkins.
6. 1001 Easy Ways for Earth-Wise Living by Readers Digest.
7. DVD - Hidden (French film)
8. DVD - Come in Spinner (Australian series)

Dolly:

Dolly's lot - including the book she wrote last year.

1. Sophies Misfortunes by Countess de Segur (A French classic translated into English)
2. Living Sustainably - Smart Shopping by Andrew Einspruch.
3. There Once Was a Puffin by Florence Page Jaques and Shari Halpern.
4. The Sea Princess by Katie Chase.
5. Numbers, written by my own Dolly in 2010 when she was 3 and in the library for all to borrow :-)
6. DVD: Rupert and the mystery Isle.

The Rambling Expat:
Didn't borrow anything but he read magazines and newspapers whilst there.

Not all countries are fortunate to have public libraries for all to use. I realise I am fortunate to live in an area that offers such a service. Do you have access and use library services?

Tuesday Blues are Green - Back at Work

Today I went back to work after 11 Days Off. It's hard getting back into the swing of things - I feel like the new girl on the block, a bit tired and a few blanks in the memory bank.

I work in a Government Department in Information Services. Basically I work on a IT - Help Desk assisting people with their databases and test database upgrades. The Government Department is creating a new Green Team to plan and implement Eco and Sustainable business practices as to minimise ecological unsound practices. An invitation was sent out to Government workers to become part of the team, 1 person per division. I asked my manager if I could apply and she said "yes".

So now I'll be part of a Green Team and will be able to learn about and encourage ecologically sustainable practices in my division. This is very exciting for me and gives me a boost to my personal ethics as I may be able to implement some of them into my workplace.

On the floor I work on someone out of the norm, has placed a bookshelf with FREE books in the tea room - and to start off my knowledge I found a real goodie, just there waiting for me; "Sustainable Growth".

I Found a Free Eco Book

It's ecological practices for small businesses however I'm sure many ideas are transferable into a large Government organisation.

I find being careful with resources to prevent ecological unsound wastage means less wastage with money too. Does your work place (paid or unpaid) implement Green Initiatives? Does anyone have ideas to share with me or others who work in offices?