My Hypothetical Reading Costs ... and Yes, I abuse my calculator

Fbone · 08-19-2011, 08:35 PM

About a year ago I received my 2011 property tax bill in the mail. After recovering from the smelling salts, I blindly embarked on a possible suicide mission. The brand new unopened Sony 650 was thoughtlessly kicked under the bed as I stomped out the house. Destination? The public library where 2 shooting fatalities and one stabbing have recently occurred one block away. Fearlessly, I decided to obtain all my fictional reading material for 2011 from the library to "use up" the nearly $100 in library taxes I was to pay this year. I know it is absurd and irrational. The smart people tell us that we get more out of our property taxes then we put in. But I believed using the library exclusively fiction-wise would make me feel better. Also, I was running out of sal volatile and Kleenex.

My results as of Dec 7th [money saved using public library]:

Total books 65 (50 read and 15 abandoned)
Cost of Kindle version (45) plus used print when no ebook available (18) plus free public domain (2) is: $497.95

I feel nonsensically better.

nesler · 08-19-2011, 08:41 PM

Nicely done! My local library is pretty good, and funnily enough... They loan out Nooks.

Giggleton · 08-20-2011, 12:02 PM

So what you're telling us is that next year the library should be charging you around 400 dollars? Or would you prefer a retroactive bill?

ATDrake · 08-20-2011, 02:55 PM

to your tax money going to something useful.

Outside of Ponzi schemes, I don't think there's much else that would give you a 240%+ return on your investment.

And Ponzi schemes don't benefit the community*.

*Unless your community happens to be composed of crooked investment managers.

anamardoll · 08-22-2011, 02:13 PM

Interesting maths.

I pay the $25 or however much yearly to the Free Library of Philadelphia on top of my local library, and I'm certain I'm getting WAY more back in returns. I especially like to read eBook from the library first because then if I don't like them, they aren't "on my account" somewhere forever.

(Yes, B&N and Amazon and whatnot let you delete books, but... I... paid... money... for... that... *monkey on back*)

Bit · 08-22-2011, 03:09 PM

I have 9035 eBooks.

Rough Breakdown: 85% Public Domain, 7% Indie/Free and 8% Big 5/Bestseller.

At €7.99 (Cheap Paperback) a pop, that's €72189.65, or US$103,808.72.

I reckon I've spent €5000 or so on those 9035 eBooks over the last 6 or 7 years. Considering I get most of my stuff on sale, or sometimes free.

I'd consider myself to be "winning"

Fbone · 09-22-2011, 02:15 AM

Updated today. I have "spent" this year's tax money and now working on 2010, 2009, 2008.

amward · 09-22-2011, 02:22 AM

I was at the library today to borrow a pbook ( yes I still read them) and to my surprise the answer to my frequently asked (like every time I'm there) "when are you going to start lending ebooks?", the answer was "fairly soon, hopefully in the next couple of months." Fantastic, I hate buying books that I will only read once so I use the library all the time and I'd much rather support my local than have to use one in another country. I'm sure I get way more out of it than we pay in rates and taxes.

HarryT · 09-22-2011, 03:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fbone

Updated today. I have "spent" this year's tax money and now working on 2010, 2009, 2008.

Tax money? Shouldn't you be giving your tax money to the tax man?

jhempel24 · 09-22-2011, 05:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

Tax money? Shouldn't you be giving your tax money to the tax man?

Already happened, now he's just getting books from the library equivalent to what he paid LOL.

Good stuff!

ficbot · 09-22-2011, 07:27 AM

I can get ebooks from my library

So I too am benefiting from services my tax dollars pay for...

Fbone · 11-07-2011, 02:52 AM

Updated today mostly for my benefit. I'm now working on 2007's taxes.

I didn't realize how many books I've read are not available in ebook format.

pagansoul · 11-08-2011, 09:42 AM

Well, I pay for the schools but have no children. I guess you have to think of it as keeping the little beasties off the streets.

The same goes for libraries, it keeps the beasties off the streets when they are not at school. Most of the ebooks in my library have a long waiting list. I'm lucky to get 2 a month.

MrsJoseph · 11-08-2011, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pagansoul

Well, I pay for the schools but have no children. I guess you have to think of it as keeping the little beasties off the streets.

The same goes for libraries, it keeps the beasties off the streets when they are not at school. Most of the ebooks in my library have a long waiting list. I'm lucky to get 2 a month.

I agree 100%. There are a ton of kids in my neighborhood so I dread no school days just as much as the "little darlings" parents.

My favorite? The people who let their 8 y/o walk the overly excited mastiff on days off...

He can't control the dang thing and I have a shih tzu. Not. Cool

HomeInMyShoes · 11-08-2011, 10:41 AM

I've saved almost $75 through my library this year. I don't read too much, but that's still a fair chunk of my book allowance I haven't burned through. Of course these are paper books because Kindle library lending in Canada is still probably about five years away.

08-19-2011, 08:35 PM	#1
Fbone Is that a sandwich? Posts: 8,283 Karma: 101696762 Join Date: Jun 2010 Device: Nook Glowlight Plus	My Hypothetical Reading Costs ... and Yes, I abuse my calculator About a year ago I received my 2011 property tax bill in the mail. After recovering from the smelling salts, I blindly embarked on a possible suicide mission. The brand new unopened Sony 650 was thoughtlessly kicked under the bed as I stomped out the house. Destination? The public library where 2 shooting fatalities and one stabbing have recently occurred one block away. Fearlessly, I decided to obtain all my fictional reading material for 2011 from the library to "use up" the nearly $100 in library taxes I was to pay this year. I know it is absurd and irrational. The smart people tell us that we get more out of our property taxes then we put in. But I believed using the library exclusively fiction-wise would make me feel better. Also, I was running out of sal volatile and Kleenex. My results as of Dec 7th [money saved using public library]: Total books 65 (50 read and 15 abandoned) Cost of Kindle version (45) plus used print when no ebook available (18) plus free public domain (2) is: $497.95 I feel nonsensically better. Last edited by Fbone; 01-05-2012 at 07:45 PM. Reason: added clarification

08-20-2011, 02:55 PM	#4
ATDrake Wizzard Posts: 11,517 Karma: 33048258 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Roundworld Device: Kindle 2 International, Sony PRS-T1, BlackBerry PlayBook, Acer Iconia	to your tax money going to something useful. Outside of Ponzi schemes, I don't think there's much else that would give you a 240%+ return on your investment. And Ponzi schemes don't benefit the community. Unless your community happens to be composed of crooked investment managers. Last edited by ATDrake; 08-20-2011 at 02:58 PM. Reason: Bad math! Bad! Bad!

08-22-2011, 03:09 PM	#6
Bit Mé leabhair a léamh Posts: 7 Karma: 10 Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Ireland Device: Amazon Kindle WiFi+3G, Sony PRS300	I have 9035 eBooks. Rough Breakdown: 85% Public Domain, 7% Indie/Free and 8% Big 5/Bestseller. At €7.99 (Cheap Paperback) a pop, that's €72189.65, or US$103,808.72. I reckon I've spent €5000 or so on those 9035 eBooks over the last 6 or 7 years. Considering I get most of my stuff on sale, or sometimes free. I'd consider myself to be "winning" Last edited by Bit; 08-22-2011 at 03:11 PM.

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08-19-2011, 08:41 PM	#2
nesler Zealot Posts: 107 Karma: 548458 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: California Device: Too many to list	Nicely done! My local library is pretty good, and funnily enough... They loan out Nooks.

08-20-2011, 12:02 PM	#3
Giggleton Banned Posts: 1,687 Karma: 4368191 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Oregon Device: Kindle3	So what you're telling us is that next year the library should be charging you around 400 dollars? Or would you prefer a retroactive bill?

08-22-2011, 02:13 PM	#5
anamardoll Chasing Butterflies Posts: 3,132 Karma: 5074169 Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: American Southwest Device: Uses batteries.	Interesting maths. I pay the $25 or however much yearly to the Free Library of Philadelphia on top of my local library, and I'm certain I'm getting WAY more back in returns. I especially like to read eBook from the library first because then if I don't like them, they aren't "on my account" somewhere forever. (Yes, B&N and Amazon and whatnot let you delete books, but... I... paid... money... for... that... monkey on back)

09-22-2011, 02:15 AM	#7
Fbone Is that a sandwich? Posts: 8,283 Karma: 101696762 Join Date: Jun 2010 Device: Nook Glowlight Plus	Updated today. I have "spent" this year's tax money and now working on 2010, 2009, 2008.

09-22-2011, 02:22 AM	#8
amward Wizard Posts: 1,299 Karma: 2081110 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: SW Australia Device: Eco Eclipse, Sony PRS 350 (pink), Ipod Touch, Kindle Touch	I was at the library today to borrow a pbook ( yes I still read them) and to my surprise the answer to my frequently asked (like every time I'm there) "when are you going to start lending ebooks?", the answer was "fairly soon, hopefully in the next couple of months." Fantastic, I hate buying books that I will only read once so I use the library all the time and I'd much rather support my local than have to use one in another country. I'm sure I get way more out of it than we pay in rates and taxes.

09-22-2011, 07:27 AM	#11
ficbot Wizard Posts: 2,409 Karma: 4132096 Join Date: Sep 2008 Device: Kindle Paperwhite/iOS Kindle App	I can get ebooks from my library So I too am benefiting from services my tax dollars pay for...

11-07-2011, 02:52 AM	#12
Fbone Is that a sandwich? Posts: 8,283 Karma: 101696762 Join Date: Jun 2010 Device: Nook Glowlight Plus	Updated today mostly for my benefit. I'm now working on 2007's taxes. I didn't realize how many books I've read are not available in ebook format.

11-08-2011, 09:42 AM	#13
pagansoul Fanatic Posts: 509 Karma: 1098204 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Earth Device: iPhone5, iPad Gen3, Kobo, Kindle Fire, Kobo Vox. Samsung Galaxy Tab 7	Well, I pay for the schools but have no children. I guess you have to think of it as keeping the little beasties off the streets. The same goes for libraries, it keeps the beasties off the streets when they are not at school. Most of the ebooks in my library have a long waiting list. I'm lucky to get 2 a month.

11-08-2011, 10:41 AM	#15
HomeInMyShoes Grand Sorcerer Posts: 19,226 Karma: 67780237 Join Date: Jul 2011 Device: none	I've saved almost $75 through my library this year. I don't read too much, but that's still a fair chunk of my book allowance I haven't burned through. Of course these are paper books because Kindle library lending in Canada is still probably about five years away.

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