Saving Money

Saving money doesn’t have to be painful. You can read newspapers and your favorite magazines at the library. If you are a cardholder with the DeKalb County Public Library System, you can borrow books and DVDs at no cost.  Use our resources to learn how to do your own home repairs, fix your car, prepare low-cost meals, and exercise at home instead of at a pricey fitness club. Check out the list below and start saving money right now.

Databases

• Auto Repair Reference Center

  Find repair procedures for specific vehicles back to 1945, plus general car repair and troubleshooting tips.  Also includes service bulletins, recalls, wiring diagrams, specifications, and maintenance intervals for many vehicles.

• Complete Idiot’s Guide to Being a Cheapskate

  Search for this title at NetLibrary to find practical tips on saving money for today and for your future.

  
• Pocket Idiot’s Guide to Living on a Budget

  Search for this title at NetLibrary for great tips on establishing a budget and sticking to it.

  

Catalog Links

• Chef on a Shoestring
  

  You don't have to break the bank to cook restaurant-quality meals. Here's a sample of the more than 120 delicious and surprisingly economical recipes from America's finest chefs. Contains advice on stocking your pantry, buying in season, shopping on a budget, and avoiding the temptation to be too frugal.

  
  
  
• Complete Photo Guide to Home Repair
  

  More than 2,300 color photographs and detailed step-by-step directions for common home repairs.

  
  
  
• Dare to Repair Your Car
  

  A basic car care and safety book written by women for women ... and men, and new teen drivers, and senior drivers. Okay, it's for every person who dares to drive a car.

  
  
  
• Don’t Throw it Out
  

  Make the most of your purchases (and your money) by making things last longer and work better. You'll discover more than a thousand ways to maximize the value of everything you own, from furniture and fishing reels, to cell phones and ceiling fans, to iPods and earrings.

  
  
  
• How Your House Works
  

  The more you understand how your home works, the easier it becomes to handle simple problems without paying a lot of money for repairs. Learn about the systems and appliances in your home, how to perform simple repairs, and when to call in a professional.

  
  
  
• Living Room Yoga - DVD
  

  Eva Barash presents an in-home yoga workout combining postures, breathing exercises, and calisthenics.

  
  
  
• Popular Mechanics Complete Car Care Manual
  

  Contains more than 90 projects that will help car owners quiet squeaks, replace U-joints, and change their own oil and filters.

  
  
  
• Ultimate Tae Bo - DVD
  

  World renowned fitness expert Billy Blanks has developed a brand new workout featuring signature Tae Bo moves for maximum benefits and optimum results. Attain a toned and sculpted body, strengthen core, burn fat, and increase fitness levels.

  
  
  
• Your Best Body - DVD
  

  Get ready to create your best body ever. Michelle Dozois has combined the best and most efficient exercises to help you reshape your body and shed unwanted fat.

  
  
  

Web Links

• Atlanta Gas Prices

  Enter your zip code and find the cheapest gas in your area.

• Atlanta Travel Guide

  If you can’t afford to go away on vacation, you can enjoy staying at home.  Learn about local attractions here.

• Clark Howard

  Local consumer advocate provides money saving tips as well as general consumer advice.

• Consumer Reports

  In addition to product reviews, this site offers money saving tips and financial strategies for dealing with tough economic times.

• Epicurious

  You don't need to give up eating well just because you can't eat out every night.  Visit this website for recipes and video tutorials on cooking techniques.

• FreeCycle

  This “worldwide gifting movement” was established to keep usable items out of landfills.  Simply sign up for a free membership and ask for what you need.  You may find what you are looking for at no cost and with no strings attached.

• Make Good Coffee

  You can save hundreds of dollars each year by brewing your own coffee, even if you purchase an expensive variety of coffee beans.  Find out how to make coffee house beverages here.

• Simple Living

  One obvious way to save money is to stop buying things.  Learn about the philosophy and practice of simple living, also called volunteer simplicity.

• Thrift Shopper

  Search this national directory of charity-driven thrift stores to find one in your area.