As a result of the bookshelf adventure last week, I purged a lot of books (as did my kiddos from their shelves). A favorite “no money adventure” is a trip to local used bookstores. Trading books for store credit yields the biggest reward, and after visiting three stores (all within close proximity of each other), I was able to trade a lot of books. Note: I said a lot, not all. A lot of books they just don’t need. Even if you think it’s the best book ever, they may already have overstock or they think it stinks. Don’t take it personally and just donate the rest. For around fifty bucks in store credit plus a couple bucks to make up the difference, I traded these….

….for these beauties in near perfect condition. If you can forgo the new book smell and realize that a lot of books in these stores are “gently used”, then you have yourself a real deal and can justify a cuppa something in a nearby cafe….