How I Fill My Kindle Without Spending a Fortune

I’ve always been a big reader, but I’ve also always been a bit tight with my money when it comes to digital books. There’s something about paying £12 for a file that just doesn’t sit right with me.

Over the last few years, I’ve developed a bit of a system for finding the stuff I actually want to read for 99p or less. Whether you’re into tech, design, biographies, or just a decent bit of fiction, you don’t actually have to spend much to keep your Kindle full.

Here is how I do it.

1. The Monthly 99p Scour

Amazon has a massive “Monthly Deal” section that most people don’t bother to scroll through because it’s usually 50 pages of random stuff. I’ve made it a habit to check this on the 1st of every month.

I’ve actually started keeping a list of my personal picks here so I can keep track of what’s actually worth reading. It saves me (and hopefully you) from digging through the rubbish.

2. Using Prime Properly

If you’re already paying for Amazon Prime for the deliveries, you’re probably missing out on the “First Reads” program. Every month, they give you a choice of about six new books, and you get to pick one for free. It’s usually a month before they are even officially released.

Not got Prime? Start a free trial.

3. The Library Hack (Libby & BorrowBox)

You don’t always have to “own” the book. I use the Libby and BorrowBox apps. You just link your local library card, and you can borrow ebooks for free.

While you can’t always send these directly to an actual Kindle device in the UK (it’s a licensing thing), the Kindle app on a phone or tablet works perfectly. It’s a great way to “test drive” a book before you decide if you want to buy a permanent copy.

4. Free Trials (The “Binge” Method)

Amazon is constantly trying to get people to sign up for Kindle Unlimited. I usually wait until they offer a “30 days for free” or “2 months for £3.99” deal. I’ll sign up, read as much as I can, and then set a reminder on my phone to cancel it before the full price kicks in. It’s a bit of a game, but it works.

5. Classics are Always Free

If you’re ever looking to read the classics—anything from Orwell to Marcus Aurelius—don’t pay for them. Because they are out of copyright, sites like Standard Ebooks have them for free. They are usually better formatted than the ones you’d pay £1.99 for on the Amazon store anyway.

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Why I bother with this

At the end of the day, I’d rather have ten books for £10 than one book for £15. It lets me take a chance on a subject I might not usually read without feeling like I’ve wasted my money if I don’t finish it.

What are you reading lately? If you’ve found a decent deal that I’ve missed, let me know.