Chapter 2:  Magazines and Books (the Physical Type)

While many are happy with the online version, nothing beats the actual experience of flipping through magazine pages and ripping out things that look great in a scrapbook. What’s not so great about some of those magazines is the cost of their subscription.

Fortunately, the magazine industry is information crazy. Not just about the latest gossip, gadgets, and news, mind you, but also about you. As of 2014, some of the trendiest of these have begun trolling for data, meaning they want to know what you do, how old you are, where you live, etc. In return for this information, some are willing to give you a free subscription for up to a year.

Among these are Maxim, Lucky, W Magazine, Wine Spectator, Wired, and a lot more.

If you want free books, there are two great sites that make it possible. The downside, however, is that you have to give your own away, while delivery is not free. BookMooch is a swapping site. To get a book, you have to give one away. PaperBack Swap works on the same principle.

BookCrossing is a free online community that’s also a great source for free paperbacks. Besides swapping books online, you can also meet up at special events around the world where you can trade your stuff with others. The New York Times was so impressed by this community, that they wrote, “… if you love your books, let them go.”

If you’re one of those people who refuses to part with a book, no matter how awful it was to read, then check out LibraryThing. They’ve recently partnered with some publishers who are looking for genuine reviews of up-and-coming paperbacks. If you’re a bookworm who knows a good read from a bad one and can express yourself well, they’ll send you an advanced copy in exchange for a well-written and honest critique.

Another way to get free paperbacks is to follow book blogs. By being active, you get to follow a work in progress, as well as get invited to signings and giveaways. Great places to start include Story Cartel, Book Blogger Directory, and The Guardian’s Books Blog list.