Don't Pay For eBooks (Unless You Have To)

Welcome to Saving Money with Andrew!

Recently, we bought an Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Kids Edition. In just a few weeks, it’s become our favorite device, and has doubled the amount of time our older son spends reading each day. The screen is great, and the parental controls (to limit the device to age-appropriate content and block purchases) are easy to set up.

And best of all, it’s easy to add free eBooks from our local library. I’ve written before about some of the amazing resources available at most public libraries (here and here), and we’ve saved over $100 in a few weeks just by following a few simple steps to send free eBooks to his Kindle:

• First, set up Libby using the easy instructions here

• Use the Libby app to find and borrow eBooks—the selection will depend on your library system, but our library has the vast majority of popular children’s books, usually with no holds/waits

• After borrowing a title, click on “Read Book” and choose the Kindle option. The first time you do this, it will ask you to log into your Amazon account. The book will then be added to your library.

• Then, go to your Amazon digital content page. Next to the book you just borrowed, click on “More Actions” and then click “Manage Family Library” and check the box for your child’s device. Within about five minutes, the book will be available on the Kindle.

With these tips, we’re unlikely to buy many eBooks on Amazon, and will definitely not need to renew the free one-year Amazon Kids+ membership that was included with the Kindle.

And now, Andrew’s pick(s) of the week:

I really enjoyed this video about the history of Japan, and learned a lot too!

Also:

• Britain’s Looming Labor Shortage: Not Enough Working Royals

• In the Battle Over Early Algebra, Parents Are Winning

• Is the $139 Amazon Prime Subscription Still Worth It?

I hope this has been helpful. If you liked it, please share it on social media! Also, please send me your feedback, requests, and success stories.