The Library Vault

$27.40 cents a day doesn’t seem like a lot, does it? Yet by spending that amount each day, you will wind up spending $10,000 per year.

It’s scary how fast money can slip away, almost unnoticed. Hence the No Buy 2025 movement.

No Buy January, a trend that challenged folks to spend money only on essentials for one month, has turned into a year-long event. Political and economic worries have the average person reigning in travel, luxury purchases, and overall spending. The No Buy movement takes this a step further.

No Buy means eliminating all unnecessary spending. Most advocates say to try it for one month. Research tells us that it takes three weeks to break spending habits, so one month is the perfect amount of time to begin a financial re-do. Many folks are now extending their No Buy month to an entire year.

What counts as necessary expenses? Food, utilities, repairs to your home or car. The goal is to accumulate enough savings to give you a cushion in the event of a major hiccup in your life, such as needing a new roof or losing a job, or to pay off debt. Buying less also helps the environment. You will have less trash and less to recycle or donate. It also improves mental health by eliminating clutter from your life and freeing you from the endless pressure to constantly make choices about what to buy. The idea is to push back against a culture of such rampant consumerism that we don’t even notice the amount we purchase anymore.

Does this mean no frills, no treats, no fun? No more concerts, or books, or movies? Nope. It means finding new ways of filling those wants. That’s one big reason that No Buy devotees highly recommend that you become a library user.

Take Russell Library, for example. Everyone knows that libraries have books, but did you know that we have multiple copies of the latest bestsellers? That means you can often walk into the library and grab a bestseller without having to place a hold. We also have several book displays in the lobby and throughout the library, offering you carefully curated book choices selected by our staff, making book selection a breeze.

In a hurry? Try our Book Bundle display, which offers three or four rubber band-bound books grouped together by subject and, let me tell you, the subjects are provocative, unusual, and sometimes laugh-out-loud funny: Takes Place in Amusement Parks; Dinosaurs vs. Sharks; Stylistically Complex 19^th Century; Reality TV Thrillers; Cinematic, Violent, & Richly Detailed; and my favorite this month, Shoes.

If you prefer personalized recommendations, submit a request to Book Match. Simply fill out the online form and a librarian will pick out titles just for you based on your preferences.

Movie fans can, of course, borrow DVDs (many people love our Binge Boxes, sets that contain five movies for an entire week or weekend of entertainment!) but were you aware that the library also offers movies online? Check out Hoopla, available to all Middletown residents who have valid Russell Library cards. Simply use your library card to stream a movie right on your television. Bonus: with Hoopla you can also borrow audiobooks, eBooks, comics, and listen to music. Our other Downloadable Resources include Libby and Palace.

And talk about entertainment! Russell Library offers concerts for all ages, theatrical productions, movies with free popcorn, storytimes, painting programs, crafts, chess club, three book clubs, the Activity Room (our kids’ play center) special events, Museum Passes, and more. Everything going on at the library can be found on our Calendar of Events.

We make it easy for Middletown residents to become library users. Simply apply online for a card and we will mail it to you. Presto! You’re a library user. If you live in another town, bring your hometown library card to Russell Library and we will add you to our patron database.

Become a No Buy participant. Become a library user. Become a Power User (someone who uses the library frequently) and you will get even more value. Won’t it be nice to have some extra money leftover at the end of the month?