Not all money-saving tips are new. Libraries go back to the 7th century B.C., when Ashurbanipal, an Assyrian king, started gathering clay tablets in Nineveh.

Flash forward a few millennia to Jeff Sexton, who has a serious thriller habit — he's read about 30 books so far this year.

Jeff Sexton (ENLARGE)

Jeff Sexton of Albany reads a thriller a week on average. His library card is well worn.

"I actually have a Books a Million discount card," said Sexton, a network specialist for the Dougherty County District Attorney's office in Albany. "But even with the discount, new hardbacks are still about $20. So when I really want to read something new right now, I go to the library to check it out."

On his last trip, Sexton checked out "Nothing to Lose" by Lee Childs, "Blasphemy" by Douglas Preston and "Seven Deadly Wonders" by Matthew Reilly.

"It also gives me a chance to try out new authors before I start buying their works," Sexton added. "I went three times in the past month.

"The library was an extremely economical choice."

— Phil Kloer

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