For those of you who follow my site, you’ll notice that I get quite a few free magazines in my mailbox each week – many of them are the same freebies that you get. I cleaned out my bin yesterday… this isn’t even all of them – I found more today. Yikes!
What can one possibly do with all of those? When we lived in Mesa, I used to take them over to Bookman’s – usually on a Friday.
Bookman’s has a counter in their store that you can plop down your magazines – they usually give you a waiting period, and then you go pick up what is left. They look for nice, new magazines in good condition – they like to see recent issues, 1 month out from publish date. I used to get credit for the magazines they elected to keep & that credit I saved up for the kids – they actually keep their trade counter open every day of the week, from 9 a.m. – 10 p.m. – you can trade in magazines, books, games & etc.
It’s an easy & cheap (sometimes free) way for you to pick up books, and DVD’s for your kids that they really want. You can head over HERE to find the location nearest to you – we are regular visitors at the location at Country Club just north of Southern in Mesa.
Now that we’re so far, Dave takes them to the VA Hospital out at ASU East Campus in Mesa; the Veterans love reading them… and tomorrow we’ll be taking quite a few.
You can also donate them to local Doctors Offices, OB-GYN Offices and more. Or ask your kiddos local Elementary school if they can use them in art projects.
I love Bookman’s, I’ve been doing this for years! Thanks for sharing this great tip!
Also, the waiting area in hospital emergency rooms always need mags. When I was waiting on my dad, I realized that the Newsweek I was reading was from 1979 (no kidding). So many bored people sitting around with nothing to do (unless they have a smart phone).
You are very right!
Great place. Too bad it is so far from us.
I have been just recycling mine. I don’t even open them anymore… And they keep coming and coming.
I work with adults with learning disibilties and they love mags…you can always donate mags there and the people love to look at the pics even if they cant read…