The New Yorker helps us pinch those pennies. The solution: buy fewer novels. The funny thing is, I actually might go broke buying books this year (not to mention shelves.  I need many more shelves).

Melissa S., Manhattan: “Eventually, I was able to cut back on novels to one a month, then half a novel, then just a few pages. As of this week, I have not looked at a novel (except from the library) for eighteen months, knock wood. For the first time, I’m learning what it is to live within a budget. At the end of the month, I’m always surprised to find a positive balance in my checking account—it’s nice. Little by little, I’ve reacquainted myself with my TV.