[ksaj]

I consider books like food. If you go cheap on them, it is only you who is left lacking.

If you can't afford a book you really need, look at other parts of your life and figure out where that money is going. That's not the answer for everything, for sure. But the latte factor does put a huge dent in the affordability of more important things.

It's like smokers who complain they can't afford groceries for their families. Prioritize cigarettes versus the well being of the family, and then go from there.

If reading is important, look at where your money is going that isn't important, and adjust what you can. If not all the way, it'll at least get you closer to your real goals.