Saw something interesting at the Austin Public Library yesterday

I was at the Austin Public Library downtown last week picking up a hold and I noticed a whole wall of free budgeting worksheets and finance books. There was a big sign saying "Take what you need" with printed templates for tracking groceries, rent, and utility bills. I grabbed one of the grocery trackers and it actually has a column for planned vs actual spending, which I thought was clever. The best part is it was all free, no library card needed. I spent maybe 10 minutes looking through the pile and saw at least 20 different kinds of budget sheets. Has anyone else seen their local library offering something like this? I'm thinking of going back to grab a few more for my family members.

2 comments

2 Comments

maxm6314h ago

That "planned vs actual" column on the tracker sounds genuinely useful.

jason_robinson11h ago

i get what maxm63 is saying about the planned vs actual column, but honestly i dont see the big deal here. libraries are for books not for budgeting bootcamps, feels like theyre trying too hard to be something theyre not. plus how hard is it to just google a budget template and print it yourself for free at home? seems like a waste of shelf space that could go to actual literature or something. idk maybe im just old school but i go to the library to get away from spreadsheets not to pick up more of them.