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Here's a simple money saving tip that I hit on recently. Some of you probably figured this out a long time ago, but for me it was a very nice discovery.
I've been a subscriber to Consumer Reports magazine for years, and even subscribed to their website for some time. But it irked me that the cost for their website subscription was so high -- $19 a year if you're a subscriber to CR magazine ($26 per year if you're not a magazine subscriber.) That's a ton of money for a website subscription! So I let my subscription slide since I really didn't need access to their site information that often.
Then I was on my library's website looking for books when I saw an "ad" that noted I could get Consumer Reports information for FREE since I was a library member. I clicked on the ad, put in my library card number, and presto, I was on the CR website with access to EVERYTHING -- free of charge!
Not only that, but my library has online access to many popular magazines including Money, Sports Illustrated, Time, Newsweek and many more. Sweet! I'll check them all out in the future, but the discovery that Consumer Reports online access was free was the most wonderful surprise for me!
Wow, good to know. I'll try this later. I just let my consumer reports online subscription die because there are disappointingly few reviews available.
Posted by: Rzrshrp | December 04, 2009 at 06:46 AM
I use the consumer report magazine for all of my over $50 purchases, so if the same deal is in my area, that would be great!
So you are now able to hit the consumer reports online site from home... by using your library account to sign on?
Thx! Great find!
Posted by: [email protected] | December 04, 2009 at 07:00 AM
You should check with your library to see if they offer access to safari books or a similar service, many libraries offer a variety proxy services online access.
Posted by: Marc | December 04, 2009 at 07:58 AM
The public library (which is funded with your tax dollars) is the greatest money saver in the world. You can read any book you want, browse any magazine or newspaper in person, and get DVDs to watch - all for free. Most libraries have on-line systems for requesting books and movies and accessing every imaginable newspaper or magazine - all from the comfort of your home! In addition, they usually have free concerts, movie nights, host knitting circles, and presentations on a myriad of topics (we have had talks ranging from ghosthunters to college financing to local authors to diabetes to the history of tea.) Not to mention free stuff for your kids: storytimes, summer reading programs, and other family events. You can also help support your local library by giving them your used books (which they typically sell to make money or add to their collection.)
Posted by: Diane | December 04, 2009 at 08:07 AM
What was the URL you used to sign in through? Was it off of your libraries home page, or on the CR site?
Posted by: mjmcinto | December 04, 2009 at 09:13 AM
mjmcinto --
From my library's home page I linked to their CR page (you may have to search for it), typed in my library card number and PRESTO, I was at the CR site with complete access.
Posted by: FMF | December 04, 2009 at 09:15 AM
My library has a streaming video service that offers lots of tutorials for school age kids on a variety of topics (math especially). I can see that coming in handy if they were doing some homework a parent might not be really familiar with anymore. They also have a bunch of streaming movies (older usually), and a ton of shows (cooking, travel, etc.) from PBS available to watch. I can also download (check out) a large selection of ebooks and audiobooks.
Posted by: Jon | December 04, 2009 at 09:45 AM
My local library's website has this feature too, with a link to consumer reports.org on the side of their home page. Thanks for pointing this out, I was getting ready to research buying a new TV, so this will definitely help me out, thanks again for the tip.
Posted by: Dan | December 04, 2009 at 10:04 AM
That's a good tip. That's also how I access anything from Morningstar's premium content, as well as Standards and Poor.
Posted by: Eugene Krabs | December 04, 2009 at 01:27 PM
I looked this up awhile ago but sadly both of my library memberships don't provide free access online (only on print). :(
Posted by: Eric | December 04, 2009 at 02:42 PM
oh well - my library doesn't have them linked on their site, so no such luck for me. Definitely worth checking though
Posted by: mjmcinto | December 04, 2009 at 05:07 PM
I love Consumer Reports and don't mind paying the $26 fee every year. I think I get more than that in value, but I certainly wouldn't mind getting the subscription for free.
I checked my local library's website, but unfortunately can't find any similar links. Good to look for in the future though!
Posted by: Wojciech Kulicki | December 05, 2009 at 12:43 AM
I have visited your website and I would like to congratulate you on building such a valuable online resource. I am sure your visitors find your site as useful as I did.
Posted by: Rhea | December 06, 2009 at 02:37 AM
Fabulous! Took a little effort to find it on my library's website (Seattle Public Library), but I did find it and it worked great!
You made my day. Thanks so much!
Posted by: debtmaven | January 15, 2010 at 10:24 PM
YAY! you are a genius this totally made my day. Thanks for sharing!!
Posted by: Personwhois SOHAPPY theyreadthisarticle | August 03, 2010 at 11:10 AM
Great my public library had this link. Thank you.
Posted by: MM | November 22, 2010 at 12:40 AM