I’ve got a few places you can grab eBooks on sale. But if you want to save your sweet, sweet holiday cash (if you got any), that’s cool. It’s that kind of year. I get it.
Smashwords EOY Sale - From December 15th to January 1st
Fill YOUR E-READER with LGBTQIA+ Books! - Sale from December 26th to January 5th. (All Platforms!)
It’s totally been that kinda year for me in so many ways. Next year is looking to be way more fiscally rough to me than this year. But I have plans and budgets. Because I want to drink my lattes and afford my favorite smutty reads without all the budget guilt. So here are some of the things I’m already doing:
I bought my own latte machine (also helpful if you’re skipping that trip to Starbies for very valid reasons)! I’m cutting back to one or less a week from my local coffee shop.
To explain how much of an addiction I developed through the pandemic would be eye opening (it was for me). Because, in my head, seeing people that liked me, in person, even if we were all wearing masks, was totally worth the $5-10 I was spending more times than I will admit here in writing. (THE OWNER of the local knows me by name and order… seriously. They noted when they hadn’t seen me for a few days… DAYS not week(s).)
If you’re looking for a decent machine for the price point that does just as good as the box brand, I can happily suggest a Mr. Coffee 4-in-1 Latte Machine ($120 USD). (No I’m not sponsored, but if someone reaches out, I’m totally game!)
A bag of really good beans from my local shop ($20) so I’m still supporting them, a bottle of chocolate syrup of your desired brand ($5/10), and whatever your desired milk ($3/5 - I’m not even buying organic and half gallon it’s $3 now for the store brand. The cost of food is bananas. ) My cost per cup, at 25 lattes( per bag of beans) is around $1.25 - that’s a number my budget is seriously singing about. After two bags of beans, the machine has paid for itself in the number of lattes I’d purchase in three months (or less… if I’m being honest.)
That’s just one example.
I’ve cut several streaming subscriptions in favor of READING all the damn books I have purchased. SO MANY BOOKS. My TBR will not suffer in 2024.
Also, especially for folks in the US currently using T-mobile, if you like T-mobile and don’t like the massive bill, check out Mint Mobile (yes, the one owned by Ryan Reynolds). I thought it was a joke. I mean, who wouldn’t — it’s Deadpool for crying out loud. But when I found out that Mint uses the same network as T-mobile, I was game. Plus, they make switching really easy. I switched and I haven’t regretted it.
If you’re a little tech savvy, or know how to install a physical or electronic sim card, and can afford to put down a small chunk of change up front, you stand to save a lot! I’ve been on Mint for two months now with their lowest plan and have not suffered in the least. $15 a month, $45 up front for three months and I’m already spending less that I would have for ONE MONTH of T-mobile (or any other big name mobile service).
Trust that I will also be taking advantage of all those wonderful deals through the year on books and shipping from bookshop.org or Kobo+ (which many of my books are enrolled in already). I’ll support my local bookshops and libraries by purchasing indies where available or asking the library to carry them.
I’ve mentioned all these things because I want everyone to have less guilt next year about drinking hot beverages and reading smut on your phones or in physical form.
Even with all this savings, still eat the avo toast ya all. That shit is mostly healthy and very tasty. (Do you know how to open an avo?)
Last but not least, here are some things you can do—especially if you’re in the US, to help push for a permanent ceasefire.
Other links you might check out: