February 18, 2025 • 38 mins
Discover how a library card can be your secret weapon for saving money during our Finance February series! Ariella Monti, a talented author and cherished friend of the show, joins us to share her savvy approach to maximizing the benefits of local libraries. We uncover the surprisingly expansive world of resources that a simple library card can unlock. From borrowing books to gaining free or discounted access to museums and zoos, Ariella and I explore how libraries are much more than a quiet place to read—they're a gateway to a treasure trove of cost-saving opportunities and experiences.
—
Who Should Listen
Moms, families, bargain hunters, bookworms, and anyone who wants to make the most of their local library.
—
What You Get In This Episode
Libraries are not just about books; they offer a huge amount of free resources that can enrich your life and save you money! This episode discusses how to maximize a library membership.
Listen to learn about:
- The benefits of getting a library card—and then getting more library cards
- Discounts and free passes available for local attractions
- Unique items available for borrowing beyond traditional books
- Library classes and workshops to explore new skills at low cost
- Streaming services accessed through your library
- How to support your local library to ensure continued resources
—
Bios
Caitlin (CK) and her cherished friend, author Ariella Monti, are spilling the secrets on how your library card can unlock a world of savings and experiences. Because who doesn't love free stuff?
—
Sources
- All about Ariella Monti
The best support is a rating and a share.
Love,
CK & GK
View our website at ckandgkpodcast.com. Find us on social media @ckandgkpodcast on
- Instagram
- Facebook
- TikTok
Thanks, y'all!
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Caitlin K (00:03):
We're so glad you're here today.
Welcome to how to Be a Grown-Up.
This is the show that is theadultier adult that you need in
your life, that I'm constantlyasking for in mine.
You might notice that thisepisode sounds a little
different.
There's no scream of it'sTuesday.
Ariella Monti (00:20):
It's Tuesday.
Caitlin K (00:24):
Okay, just kidding.
Yes, there is With me today isdear friend of the pod and
published author, I might add,Ariella Monti, my radiant,
grumpy badger, oh you're welcomeI like it.
Yeah, she's here with me today,while Jenny takes some time to
rest and make her knee not bad,good-ish or whatever.
(00:47):
This is such a treat for mebecause you and I literally talk
a thousand times a week.
Ariella Monti (00:55):
Yeah, pretty much .
Roughly approximately.
Caitlin K (00:58):
Constantly all day long, but I never get to see
your face ever, so I'm so gladto see you.
Thank you so much for beinghere, and Jenny and I both
really appreciate having youhere with us today.
Ariella Monti (01:10):
Yeah, I'm excited .
Any like excuse I can find tolike hang out with you guys and
do a podcast and just ramble.
Caitlin K (01:19):
Well, I mean it's just me, it's just me, so it's
still great, but we arecontinuing our finance February
episodes and Ariella is anexpert in free stuff.
I don't want to say the swearword, but I did say ish and the
mind.
My notes do say free ish at thelibrary, and she's gonna tell
(01:39):
us about all the free ish youcan get at your local library,
which I'm so excited about,because I feel like this is
something I don't know enoughabout.
There is a library four and ahalf minutes from my house and I
don't use it enough, and thisis a great way to save some
money for yourself.
Ariella Monti (01:55):
So let's go ahead and get to it so there might be
stuff here that your listenerswill know, but sometimes you
just need that little reminderthat like, oh, I can do that at
the library.
So if you know this stuff,listen anyway, because maybe
(02:15):
you've got tips and stuff Right.
And then, additionally, rememberthat library services are going
to vary across systems.
Libraries that have morefunding and community
involvement will generally havemore services and options.
So what I'm saying here isn'tgoing to apply to all libraries
(02:38):
across the US.
So, like, as I tell my yogastudents, take what you need,
leave what you don't Love it.
Little disclaimer, folks,little disclaimer that your
mileage will vary with thisadvice.
So mileage will vary.
Perfect, all right.
So the first thing you need todo is get a library card to your
(03:02):
local branch.
That's like I don't know, wild,like this is.
This is what you come to me for.
These are the hot tips.
Caitlin K (03:12):
Okay, so just for those of us who don't, I had to
go.
When I went to the library, Ihad to show them proof of
residency in that area.
So I brought like a utilitybill, right.
Ariella Monti (03:23):
Yeah, is that common?
Do you hear that a lot yeahdefinitely You're going to need
some kind of or even your, yourlicense will be enough.
I um, I don't remember havingto show anything except for my
license, um, but that is goingto be different again across
library systems.
So check on your library'swebsite, your library system's
(03:44):
website.
It will tell you exactly whatyou need.
Some you have to go in person,some you can do online.
So, again, you just have tokind of be prepared, for you
know everything.
Caitlin K (03:57):
It does take two seconds once you're in there
Even if you're like I don't wantto go inside.
When I went inside to do mine,I think it took me all of a
minute and a half, yeah, andthat included the time that I
was just like standing theregetting stuff out of my purse.
Ariella Monti (04:10):
Oh, yeah, definitely.
Caitlin K (04:11):
It was totally my fault that it took that long.
Ariella Monti (04:14):
So, so, quick, so quick.
Caitlin K (04:15):
Okay, so we talked about getting a local library
card.
What next?
Ariella Monti (04:19):
Next is get more library cards.
What, yes, so?
Get more library cards so youcan check neighboring systems
for either free or affordablenon-resident cards.
Caitlin K (04:35):
Oh yeah, so I actually have three library
cards, which is I have friendswho have like five or six.
That's some spy stuff.
I know that's spy stuff.
Yeah, I have friends who havelike five or six.
That's some spy stuff.
I know that's spy stuff.
Yeah, like this is some bornidentity going into the safe
deposit box and finding multiplepasswords Right, exactly what I
have three library cards so.
Okay.
Ariella Monti (04:57):
Depending on your system, you may be able to get
a non-resident card to aneighboring library system.
So here's an example I live inJohnson County, North Carolina,
and I live 30 minutes from thenearest Johnson County library.
We've got like five librarybranches in the entire county
(05:23):
but I also live 25 minutes awayfrom the nearest Wake County
branch.
Wake County is the county seatfor the city of Raleigh, which
is our capital, and they havelots and lots and lots of
libraries.
And I also yeah, I also used towork in Raleigh so I was
(05:43):
typically closer to a WakeCounty library than I was a
Johnson County library.
So I pay $25 a year to accessWake County's library system.
Caitlin K (05:54):
That's it Just $25 a year.
Yep, just $25 a year for Wake.
County.
Ariella Monti (05:59):
When I was doing a bit of research on this, it of
ranged from 25 to 75, dependingon the system, um.
So, for example, some systemswill offer free cards to state
residents.
So the dover public librarysystem will offer free cards to
(06:24):
any Delaware state resident.
The Los Angeles system it has afree card for California
residents and it's $50 fornon-residents.
Caitlin K (06:37):
Okay, still, if that's the yearly fee, that's
pretty manageable for all thefree stuff.
Ariella Monti (06:43):
You are probably going to get out of it Exactly
so having more cards gives youaccess to a larger catalog of
books, programs, services.
It increases access when yourlocal systems offerings are
limited or the branch in onesystem is more accessible than
your resident branch.
So that's why I have a WakeCounty card, because for a long
(07:07):
time the nearest branch was kindof inaccessible after like five
o'clock in the afternoon.
Like the branches in thelibraries in Johnson County are
not open as long as the ones inWake County.
I am usually in the, or I'mmore often closer at like
(07:29):
running errands or going toTarget and all of that stuff is
usually closer to the WakeCounty library.
So those libraries are closerto me and so it's more
accessible.
Sure, makes sense when it comesto like digital services,
depending on how your librarysystem works.
So I have a library card to theJohnson County system, the Wake
(07:51):
County system and the town ofClayton.
Town of Clayton is locatedwithin Johnson County but it is
its own library system andbecause I'm a resident of
Johnson County I get a free cardto the Clayton library.
And it wasn't always like that.
It used to be $25 and I did notpay that, but once they opened
(08:14):
it up I was like sure I'll getanother card?
Caitlin K (08:16):
Yeah sure, why not?
Exactly, okay, so that makes alot of sense.
You get to.
You have more access to morestuff if you have an additional
card.
Ariella Monti (08:25):
Exactly I gotcha, yeah, and if you want to put
numbers to it, since introducingmy kid to libby where I have
all three cards, he has read atleast 65 dollars worth of owl
diary books, and so two cardsare free and then one is only 25
a year, and the vast majorityof those books came from the
(08:49):
non-resident system because theyhave a bigger collection, and
so, even paying that $25 a year,I've already saved 40 amazing,
that's pretty awesome, right,okay, all right, you got me, I'm
hooked, so get, get more cards,Just get more cards.
Caitlin K (09:07):
Okay, what else do I need to know about this?
Ariella Monti (09:09):
Check your library for free and discounted
admissions or tickets.
So a lot of times librarieswill partner with museums and
zoos and you can get in free orat discounted rates.
Get in free or at discountedrates.
Caitlin K (09:25):
I did not know that.
Oh, my goodness.
Okay, well, that right there isgoing to be a big help because
the zoo.
Let me tell you, I love the zoo.
Ariella Monti (09:42):
That mess is outrageous, outrageous, yes.
So yes, yeah, and I'm into it.
I did not see the first cause.
I was trying not to just dolike libraries near me, so, but
the one that I know gets usedreally, really often is my
hometown library on Long Island,so the Sajan Public Library and
one of my besties uses the freepasses all the time.
They have free passes to 27museums and discounted passes to
(10:06):
the zoos and shows.
Caitlin K (10:09):
That is amazing.
Oh my goodness, OK yeah.
Ariella Monti (10:13):
So you can do like and again you got to check
and see you know what the rulesare and stuff.
I think with those free passesyou have to plan ahead because
you have to find out if thepasses are available for that
weekend and blah, blah, blah.
But I mean, if you're, if youhave a big family, like, just
with a little bit of planninglike that, that could be a lot
(10:34):
of money that you're saving.
There's a bundle for sure,Exactly, and then you can spend
it, you know, on an $85cheeseburger and $100 soda For
one kid, For one kid exactly.
And then you go through thegift shop and spend another
(10:55):
paycheck there.
Caitlin K (11:02):
Oh gosh, oh, that's so true, and I don't know about
yours, but mine has to stop atthe gift shop every time, and
now we have 8,000 stuffies inthe house, oh yeah, oh totally
there.
Ariella Monti (11:09):
we go Totally every time.
But my thing is so, when we gonow, like this is not the topic
of this show, but we takeadvantage of having, like zoo
memberships and all of thatstuff, yeah, so what I will do
is I will give him a budget,like I will say all right, I'm
going to give you $25.
Anything beyond that you needto spend your own money.
Caitlin K (11:29):
He's coming out of yours.
Yeah, exactly.
Ariella Monti (11:30):
Yeah, so he'll.
He's gotten pretty good aboutyou know.
Caitlin K (11:35):
Mom, this is $23.99.
Right, look it, I did it.
Mom, yeah, yeah, I'm chargingyou tax.
Okay, so, that's, that'sawesome.
So we've got get the librarycard, get multiple library cards
, because you have more accessto more things, and it also
gives you discounts to, or couldpotentially give you discounts
to, places around town to gotake your kids and do things.
(11:57):
Right, okay, yeah, exactly whatelse?
How?
Ariella Monti (11:59):
else.
Can this help us?
So you can also, again,depending on the library system,
you can borrow more than justbooks.
And I'm not talking about, likeyou know, when we were kids
they were like DVDs and CDs andstuff.
I'm talking about like actualstuff, stuff.
Now, I had heard this but Ihave never actually seen it like
in the real world until I wasdoing research for this and I
(12:23):
was poking around again at theSeacham Public Public Library's
website and they have a libraryof things.
They have birthday lawn signs,tool sets, a bubble machine,
what Right?
All kinds of things to digitizefilm.
You know, for your youngerlisteners, film is the stuff
(12:46):
that we used to record picturesand moments on and it's a
physical thing and like thatreally cool polaroid that you
have.
Caitlin K (12:56):
that your mom got you and she was like why am I
buying you this and the?
And one like thing to stick inyour polaroid camera cost 45.
That was life before your phone.
Oh, and we used to have tocarry them.
When we stopped carrying those,we had our phones, our digital
cameras, our wallet, and wedidn't wear a jacket when we
(13:16):
went out in the cold.
Everything had to fit into ourpockets or our fingers.
Ariella Monti (13:19):
Right, yes, or those little anybody clutches
that literally held nothing,held nothing, held none of that.
Caitlin K (13:26):
Like stuff it to the gills and you're supposed to put
it on your wrist and it'd be sofull of stuff that you would
smack people with it.
Yes, yeah.
Okay, okay.
So I feel like that could savea lot of money on just rental
costs in general.
Exactly, you're going and likerenting things.
That that I mean.
If you even go to Home Depotand rent a carpet cleaner, that
(13:46):
costs.
Ariella Monti (13:47):
So much money, so this is a great tip.
Right, okay, that was.
And the first thing I saw, likeI've never gotten one of those
lawn signs, because I've seenthat renting them is like
ridiculously expensive it's thecost of the kid's party, you
know, and like sure you?
Sure you could potentially like, if you're gonna rent something
(14:08):
constantly, like you could buyit but then you gotta store it
like, do you have space for anextra bubble machine?
I don't have space for an extrabubble machine.
Caitlin K (14:16):
My child's bike is in my living room, if that helps
you.
His bike is in my living room,so I have no storage, right?
So, yeah, I'm not buying anymore stuff if I can help it
Right?
Or it better be able to fold upand stick into a pocket
somewhere, exactly, exactly.
Ariella Monti (14:28):
So this you can check your library Again.
You know it's going to dependon your actual library.
The next time I go to thelibrary in the Wake County
system that I go to, I want tosee if they have a Cricut
machine.
Yes, because you can borrowthose too, at least in sachem.
Caitlin K (14:50):
You can, I, but I have to see if those, the
library and garner has oneamazing, oh my gosh, that's
killer.
Yeah, all right, oh, cool, okay, what else?
What else can the library do tohelp us?
Ariella Monti (14:57):
so you can take classes, workshops, seminars
that are typically free orextremely low cost.
You know, libraries do try tomake sure that everything is
free, but sometimes you know yougot to pay for something, but
they tend to be cheaper than ifyou were to take them someplace
else.
In this way, you can learnstuff before you do a thing, and
(15:21):
so you're spending less moneyfixing all the mistakes you made
because you were trying to doit.
You know, by the seat of yourpants, Not that.
Caitlin K (15:30):
I have any Right.
I was going to say I feelpersonally attacked by this,
Like I think you might, Right.
Ariella Monti (15:36):
I'm not talking about myself at all If we're
going to continue to attackourselves and each other.
You can also test drive a newhobby before you buy all this
stuff.
Caitlin K (15:49):
I was just going to say.
This is this.
Is Caitlin not needing to buyall the embroidery things, right
, and then picking up embroideryfor half a day and then
deciding she was done Exactly sowhen I was at the library.
Ariella Monti (16:02):
I was at the Wake County library just this past
week.
I was doing some writing withmy, with some writer friends,
and I always walk by the displaythat it's got the classes and
everything listed and they had.
They had a bird ID class, theyhad a gardening class and the
gardening classes held, heldwith the NC State Extension
(16:24):
Office, with the NC StateExtension Office.
So you're getting like mastergardeners teaching you how to
garden.
Like that's, that's pretty cool.
That's it's you know, an allfor free.
There's a crochet class, youknow, stuff like that, and it
was all.
Yeah, all like all free.
Caitlin K (16:41):
I love it.
Ariella Monti (16:42):
Those are.
Those are key.
I need to try to pay attentionto that stuff a lot more and
they often have like I know thatsame library for a little while
was doing like senior bingo orsomething every like coffee and
bingo and stuff.
So I like it.
Yeah, it can be a place where,if you are new to the area and
they have something going on,you can go and you can take the
(17:04):
class and you can make friendsand be lots of seniors and all
that, exactly, exactly, okay, Ilike it.
Caitlin K (17:12):
What else Is there more, cause I feel like this is
already a pretty good list.
Ariella Monti (17:15):
Yeah, so we've got all that stuff, and then on
top of that potentiallystreaming services and other
technology access.
Nice, yeah, so the ClaytonLibrary has access to Canopy,
which is a streaming servicespecifically for libraries.
(17:36):
There are movies, documentaries, tv shows.
I was told that there were alsolike tutorials and stuff.
Like a friend of mine waswatching videos on, like sewing
videos.
Oh cool, yeah, so like stuffthat you would kind of use
youtube for, but is on canopy.
I have flipped through it and Idon't know if the offerings
(18:02):
kind of depend on the librarysystem itself.
So I can I can't say that forsure.
The adult section is okay, butthe kids section is pretty good.
Caitlin K (18:12):
Okay.
Ariella Monti (18:13):
It has like a lot of PBS shows.
It has some popular YouTubeshows that kids can watch, like
without ads or without having toaccess the YouTube app.
Caitlin K (18:26):
That's the.
That's the place.
So okay, do you know, is thissomething that you can access
from home or just have to be atthe library?
You?
Ariella Monti (18:32):
can access it from home.
I put it on our TV and I thinkyou just have to put in your
library card number.
Caitlin K (18:38):
Yeah, Okay, very cool , I can get down with that.
Yeah, that's.
I prefer that over the YouTubeapp, which is on my TV, exactly.
Ariella Monti (18:46):
I just took hours off.
Caitlin K (18:48):
Yeah, okay, yeah, great, yes, all right.
Ariella Monti (18:51):
So, depending on you know what you use Canopy for
, um, you could potentiallycancel a streaming service.
I don't want to.
It's not going to replace, likeit's not going to replace
Disney plus or Netflix.
Or you know, if you are a heavyuser and heavy user for those
services, it's not gonna replaceDisney Plus or Netflix.
Or you know, if you are a heavyuser and heavy user for those
services, it's not gonna.
You know it's not gonna replaceit.
(19:12):
But kind of depending on howyou use it, maybe you could, or
you could maybe go down toanother plan, but at the very
least it's free.
Caitlin K (19:22):
So adding it to your yeah and add free, right exactly
.
So that alone is kind of a bigdeal to me, right, okay, yeah,
so those are the highlights andthe highlights.
Yeah, so my bonus tips here.
Ariella Monti (19:38):
oh yeah, my bonus tips for supporting your
library.
Because here's the thing if youwant those things in your
library, you got to support yourlibrary.
So library services requirefunding and community support.
So use your library and thentell the people in charge of
(19:58):
library budgets that you areusing the library and what you
love about the library, thelibrary and what you love about
the library.
So, if you're like I loved, Itook a class with the master
gardeners and they were amazing.
I want more of that, please.
Caitlin K (20:15):
Yes, Not just we love the books.
Ariella Monti (20:17):
Right, exactly.
Caitlin K (20:18):
Like all the things that are being provided.
It's like a Yelp review, but Ithink that the important thing
here is that they won't get thefunding if higher ups don't know
that those services are beingutilized Exactly.
Ariella Monti (20:29):
Like, and there's only so much you can get you
know from data points.
You know like, every timesomebody signs up for a thing,
like, it's a data point, everytime somebody takes out a book,
it's a data point, and so youhave the data points.
But having like um email, youknow your branch's library
director and be like, you know,I really love what you did with
the children's section.
(20:50):
I love that display that youdid.
I love the class that I took.
You know I'd like to see moreof this class, or I'd like to
see more of this Like.
So how libraries are funded,it's are funded, it's through
public funds, but how thosepublic funds are decided is
gonna vary.
(21:11):
Like I said, like my hometownlibrary, the CHM Public Library,
they have library budgets thatare I think I probably shouldn't
say this, but at least when Iwas living there, library
budgets were voted on by voters,whereas here in North Carolina
it's completely different andit's politicians elected
(21:31):
officials, are the ones who aredetermining that stuff.
So yeah, so you have to figureout, like, who's in charge of
the money, and bug them aboutyour library.
Caitlin K (21:44):
It's like what you need to do for all things.
Ariella Monti (21:46):
Yeah, pretty much .
Caitlin K (21:47):
Right, yeah, okay.
So, with that said, then whatelse can we do to support?
If we, if we know we need to,like, tell the library and tell
the powers that be that we lovethe library, then what else can
we do to support the library?
Is there anything else we cando or no?
Ariella Monti (22:02):
Definitely vote.
Well, vote for politicians thatsupport the library.
Yes, yes.
If there is a candidate who isreally talking about the library
and increasing library services, vote for them.
If they're not talking aboutlibrary services, ask them what
they plan on doing.
Do you plan on opening?
You know, like I don't't have,like a county library, you know
(22:26):
the nearest county library forme is 25 minutes away.
Like I would love one my area,you know I live in a semi-rural
area and it's been growing likeit's the houses that they're
putting in, like they're puttingin a new, two new schools, like
we could use a library branch.
You know yeah, so yeah that ifyou want to start growing your
(22:51):
library's book catalog, you canrequest that the libraries carry
the book.
They usually have some kind ofmaterials request form or
something like that, where youcan ask a library like, hey, I
really wish you would carry youknow this specific author or
this specific book and how wouldI request that this book gets
(23:13):
put on you know the next listwhen they're deciding what books
to get?
That's a good way to supportauthors as well, because authors
do get paid.
When libraries buy their booksor license their books, authors
do get paid for it.
I think that's it.
Caitlin K (23:35):
And Bray just shut off.
It's like we're done.
That's dopamine hits over right.
Like I got my dopamine.
I'm out Bye.
No, don't hang up, guys.
Okay, so here's what I'mhearing you need a library card.
You need more than one librarycard, because then you get more
access to more things.
Those more things could beeverything from books, programs
(23:58):
and services to discounts atevents to take your kids to, and
cheaper rentals and classes.
So all of these are ways thatyou can save money for yourself,
because you paid at most like$75 a year for a non-local
(24:18):
library card, but you could alsoget the same things, perhaps
depending on your branches, ifyou just go to the library and
sign up and show them proof ofID or proof of residency.
Ariella Monti (24:30):
Yeah, exactly.
Caitlin K (24:31):
Sounds easy enough.
Ariella Monti (24:32):
And then between all of it.
You've got access to so muchstuff and sometimes you don't
even remember that like you canget this stuff there until
you're.
Caitlin K (24:42):
I forget all the time .
Yeah, I'm so glad you remindedme of all of this.
Yeah, this is amazing.
Okay, let's take a quick break.
We'll be right back.
This is amazing, okay, we'll be,back For links to resources
mentioned in this episode.
Head on over tockandgkpodcastcom slash blog to
find everything you need, and besure to follow us on social
(25:04):
media.
Head over to your favoritesocial media network and find us
at CK and GK podcast.
And now back to the show.
And now back to the show.
Okay, are we back?
We're back.
Yes, we're back now.
So this is since Ariella taughtme things, I'm going to make
her do my things now and mythings we know.
We know our obsessions.
(25:26):
We have to talk about whatwe're obsessed with right now,
and we have to talk aboutsomething random that happened
to us, that's funny or sweet orjust.
You just have to tell someonewith our gym.
So I would like you to tell mefirst what your obsession is,
your current obsession at themoment.
Ariella Monti (25:41):
So my current obsession are chocolate,
hazelnut, uncrustables.
Caitlin K (25:46):
I did not know that these existed.
Are we talking about, like aNutella style Uncrustable?
Yeah, is that?
Ariella Monti (25:52):
what we're saying .
Yeah, I didn't know theyexisted until fairly recently
either.
So my son has avoidantrestrictive food intake disorder
, which is very, very.
It's a diagnosis for extremelypicky eating.
Caitlin K (26:13):
So it's like take the chicken nuggets and the
macaroni and cheese that yourkid eats every day and then
remove those two things fromtheir diet.
Ariella Monti (26:20):
Pretty much, pretty much, or or those are the
literally only two things, theonly two things.
And I would so fresh I wouldcry if my son ate either one of
those things.
Right, he's always in feedingtherapy with a um, um, an SLP,
and with a speech therapist.
Oh wow, the word like couldn'tmake it out of my mouth.
Caitlin K (26:41):
It's only a podcast, we only talk.
No, exactly, you don't have tohave words.
Ariella Monti (26:44):
Words don't mean anything Um.
This is why I'm a writer.
This is, this is this is why,yeah, no, I I got you this, you.
Caitlin K (26:53):
this is why, um, my rambling tendencies really don't
work and I need jen to comeback in here and edit anyway, so
tell us about these on crustsbecause I want to eat them in my
face, so they are just like thepeanut butter and jelly ones,
except they are filled with.
Ariella Monti (27:08):
I don't think it's, it's something like
nutella, yeah, not, not Nutellayeah not, oh man, and they come
frozen and you just take themout.
So they have been like I'vebeen trying to add more you know
protein into my diet and sneakprotein in places and it's got
like four grams of protein,which is not bad for something
(27:31):
that is basically a dessert.
Caitlin K (27:33):
Yeah, yeah.
No, that sounds like a yeah.
I would heat that up afterdinner.
You don't even need.
Ariella Monti (27:38):
That's the thing.
You don't even need to heat itup, you just take it out of the
refrigerator and just let itdefrost, and it defrosts how
long, though?
Caitlin K (27:44):
because I'll forget, and I need like an hour.
See no, I got it, I'm gonna.
I'm gonna put it in themicrowave, like I can't wait
that long, and I'll forget totake it out.
This is the person who, likeimpulse, says I'm going to bake
cookies, has half theingredients and has to run out
to the store in the middle ofthe thing and forgets to put the
butter.
So I have no, this is I have toheat it up.
(28:06):
See what?
Ariella Monti (28:07):
the good thing, what I've been using it for is,
before I run out of the house inthe morning, I will take one
and throw it into my yoga bagand then teach my class and then
, as I'm on the way home, it'llbe defrosted.
Yeah, because once it'sdefrosted, I think you've got
like eight hours to eat itbefore I guess it gets
(28:27):
questionable.
I mean, I don't know, that'snot.
I mean you know Well it is inthe last eight hours I'll tell
you that't know, that's not.
I mean you know.
Well, if you do, forget it.
Caitlin K (28:36):
It is going to last eight hours, right?
I'll tell you that right now,right, yeah.
Ariella Monti (28:39):
So those have been my.
I guess my gripe is thatthere's at least from what like
my husband does, the groceryshopping and the ones he's been
getting there's only like fourin a box, Whereas you could go
to like Costco and get like thepeanut butter and jelly ones,
(29:00):
like 87 of them.
Yeah, you know, so annoying.
So that's my gripe currently.
Caitlin K (29:05):
And, to be clear, the reason that you got them is
because you wanted your son toeat them.
Is that what's going on here?
Ariella Monti (29:11):
Yes, and he didn't want to try it.
And now I eat them.
Caitlin K (29:17):
Perfect.
No, I think that that'smotherhood in a nutshell.
I think it's exactly what weyeah, okay, well, mine is my new
washer and dryer, so this isexciting, this is a very
exciting thing.
Well, what happened was I wentto London for work and while I
was there I was, I was at a.
(29:38):
I was working at a trade show,which means I was behind the
booth, but it was also our tradeshow, like our.
We were the hosts of the event,so anything that needed to
happen I kind of ended up doingright.
So that means that, like at onepoint we hosted a happy hour
and I was basically a bar backnice for hour, like lugging
boxes of cases of Bud LightRight, right, not Bud Light,
(29:58):
budweiser Everywhere.
Ariella Monti (30:00):
In London Budweiser Really.
Well it's an American beer.
Oh, so it's an imported.
Caitlin K (30:06):
So it was an American beer and, for whatever reason,
people over there like it.
I don't.
Budweiser is not as terrible asBud Light.
I'm just going to put that outthere.
However, however, I don't likeBudweiser, so I was having the
wine that was there, but neitherhere nor there.
What the point of that?
part is my clothes?
(30:27):
No, it's fine.
My clothes got sweaty andstinky and while I was over
there and my clothes weregetting sweaty and stinky, my
washer cracked down.
So I came home to a washer thatwould not spin and it was a top
loader.
Ariella Monti (30:46):
So without the spinning it just didn't drain.
Caitlin K (30:48):
It was just a tub of water so, and it would drain,
but it would not agitate, itwould not spin nothing.
And when it did try to, youwould hear it like cranking and
I thought maybe it just kind oflike fell off of the the drum,
like fell out of it.
It doesn't matter, I can't fixit.
So I was like, forget it, we're, we're overdue.
When we got that washer anddryer we had just moved to
(31:08):
Austin.
Um, I had $0 and I had a sevenand a half week old and so we
bought a refurbished set.
So they were old when we gotthem.
So there we go.
Anyway, we got a new washer anddryer and I'm obsessed, can't
stop, won't stop talking aboutthem.
Love doing laundry.
It.
The drum is huge.
(31:29):
I can fit like an entire thingof like my whole hamper can go
in there.
It's kind of amazing because mywhole hamper could not before,
and before I would be like, okay, here's all the socks, they're
like I'm going to put them onthe bottom and then I, the heavy
stuff goes in the top, cause Iso like it was just a pain in
the butt to do laundry, and nowI'm so excited Cause I get to do
laundry in a big washer anddryer.
(31:50):
It makes me so happy and itfits my entire comforter.
Oh, that's key.
That is key, so good.
So this leads me to my gem ofthe week.
So that happened.
I got home on Saturday evening.
Sunday, I was like no, I haveto do laundry.
(32:11):
These clothes smell so bad,like I cannot.
They smell so bad.
My whole suitcase I have.
It's still sitting on the floor.
I got back two weeks ago.
It's sitting on the floorairing out because it stinks
Like.
I Febreze the inside of ittwice, still waiting for it to
not be stinky.
Okay, so that's a problem thatI will have to deal with another
time.
And washer and dryer can't fixit.
So, uh, then on Monday I waslike they were getting delivered
(32:36):
on Monday, that's how fast.
I was like no, we're on this,you can't do this.
And I was telling my son abouthow they were going to be here
when he got back, like, and sohe was like stoked for me
because I was super excited andhe comes home and he walks in
the door and when you walk intoour front door, the laundry room
is like just on the other sideof the entry hall so you could
(32:57):
go straight into the laundryroom if you wanted to.
And all of a sudden, I justhear we're in the future, we're
in the future, we're in thefuture.
And I was like what, what'sgoing on?
He was like mom, we're in thefuture with this washer and
dryer.
This, we're in the future withthis washer and dryer.
This is the future.
Yeah, he's like they look reallygood, mom.
(33:17):
I'm like no, I know, they'rebeautiful, aren't they?
I love them.
And he's like that's a Wi-Fisymbol on it.
Now do I have my washer anddryer hooked up to Wi-Fi?
No, because why do I need that?
I'm not from home, I don't needphone to tell me to do things,
(33:43):
and I dismiss the reminder andforget.
So it's no, who cares, right?
But he was so excited for me.
He's like future, this, righthere.
This, this, this future.
We're in the future, we're inthe future.
And I was like yeah, bud, weare man, I'm stoked that I can
fit a whole load of laundry inthere and you're stoked that
we're in the future.
(34:03):
Right, this is a good this is agood purchase.
Pretty happy with this AmazingLike I love kids.
Okay, do you?
Ariella Monti (34:10):
have any gems, so my gem is book related.
A friend of mine in one of myin my mom's group.
She got a, an alert from Kindlelike a, like a notification,
and it said an author you followhas a book coming out soon and
(34:33):
I was the author.
So she took a screenshot andshared it in the group and I
don't control that Like I.
I have nothing to do with that.
So it was amazing.
Caitlin K (34:46):
Okay, wait question Did I also receive that picture?
If you didn't send it to me,I'll put it up on our Instagram,
cause I know I did not.
Yeah, okay, send it to me, I'llput it up on our Instagram.
Ariella Monti (34:54):
Cause I would know I did not yeah.
Caitlin K (34:57):
I sent it to me and I'll put it on our Instagram.
Ariella Monti (34:59):
I have to yeah, I have to edit it a little bit,
because it's a screenshot of myfriend's lock screen, so like.
Caitlin K (35:05):
Oh yeah, no, we'll.
No, I'll take, yeah, we'll takecare of all that.
No, no, no, no, I just that'sso exciting, oh, I would have
lost my mind.
Ariella Monti (35:12):
Yeah, it was, it was pretty, it was pretty cool,
especially cause I can't likeit's not like I put a little
note in there like okay, thisday, like send an alert.
You know that was on, probablythat's so exciting.
Caitlin K (35:25):
So it was.
It was very cool.
Oh my gosh, very, very coolDude, that's so cool.
We are in the future becauseyour book is coming.
I know, oh my gosh, you guys, Ium, I have two of the copies
and I have the pre-order, Ithought, but this episode is
coming out pre, so we can stillpre-order if we want to.
(35:46):
Right, okay, great.
Ariella Monti (35:50):
Yeah, so you can pre-order.
You can pre-order the ebook.
You can pre-order the ebook onAmazon, barnes and Noble, kobo,
apple Books, all those places.
Yeah, so you can pre-order theebook.
You can't pre-order thepaperback because Amazon won't
let me, or it won't let, theyjust don't.
So if you want the paperback,you just have to order it on
(36:14):
march 1st okay.
Caitlin K (36:15):
Well, that's why I've been holding out then, because
I want to, I want to keep it,yeah, personally, yeah, I like
those, okay.
So, in case you don't know,ariela is an author.
She writes um spicy books, soif you like those?
you?
Um, we'll put links to her thepre-order in the blog post for
this episode so you can go checkthat out, um, and we'll also
(36:35):
make sure you can find herauthor profile on Amazon or
Goodreads, whichever whateveryou prefer.
Um, we'll put that all in theblog post for this episode as
well.
But, um, I'm so happy for you.
Again, I want to thank you somuch for being here.
Uh, we're gonna.
We're gonna wrap this episodereal quick.
So libraries are amazing.
(36:55):
Go to the library, and Jennywould tell y'all to make good
choices.
So do that and support yourlocal library.
Okay, bye.
We're so glad you're here today.
Welcome to how to Be a Grown-Up.
This is the show that is theadultier adult that you need in
your life, that I'm constantlyasking for in mine.
You might notice that thisepisode sounds a little
different.
There's no scream of it'sTuesday.
Ariella Monti (00:20):
It's Tuesday.
Caitlin K (00:24):
Okay, just kidding.
Yes, there is With me today isdear friend of the pod and
published author, I might add,Ariella Monti, my radiant,
grumpy badger, oh you're welcomeI like it.
Yeah, she's here with me today,while Jenny takes some time to
rest and make her knee not bad,good-ish or whatever.
(00:47):
This is such a treat for mebecause you and I literally talk
a thousand times a week.
Ariella Monti (00:55):
Yeah, pretty much .
Roughly approximately.
Caitlin K (00:58):
Constantly all day long, but I never get to see
your face ever, so I'm so gladto see you.
Thank you so much for beinghere, and Jenny and I both
really appreciate having youhere with us today.
Ariella Monti (01:10):
Yeah, I'm excited .
Any like excuse I can find tolike hang out with you guys and
do a podcast and just ramble.
Caitlin K (01:19):
Well, I mean it's just me, it's just me, so it's
still great, but we arecontinuing our finance February
episodes and Ariella is anexpert in free stuff.
I don't want to say the swearword, but I did say ish and the
mind.
My notes do say free ish at thelibrary, and she's gonna tell
(01:39):
us about all the free ish youcan get at your local library,
which I'm so excited about,because I feel like this is
something I don't know enoughabout.
There is a library four and ahalf minutes from my house and I
don't use it enough, and thisis a great way to save some
money for yourself.
Ariella Monti (01:55):
So let's go ahead and get to it so there might be
stuff here that your listenerswill know, but sometimes you
just need that little reminderthat like, oh, I can do that at
the library.
So if you know this stuff,listen anyway, because maybe
(02:15):
you've got tips and stuff Right.
And then, additionally, rememberthat library services are going
to vary across systems.
Libraries that have morefunding and community
involvement will generally havemore services and options.
So what I'm saying here isn'tgoing to apply to all libraries
(02:38):
across the US.
So, like, as I tell my yogastudents, take what you need,
leave what you don't Love it.
Little disclaimer, folks,little disclaimer that your
mileage will vary with thisadvice.
So mileage will vary.
Perfect, all right.
So the first thing you need todo is get a library card to your
(03:02):
local branch.
That's like I don't know, wild,like this is.
This is what you come to me for.
These are the hot tips.
Caitlin K (03:12):
Okay, so just for those of us who don't, I had to
go.
When I went to the library, Ihad to show them proof of
residency in that area.
So I brought like a utilitybill, right.
Ariella Monti (03:23):
Yeah, is that common?
Do you hear that a lot yeahdefinitely You're going to need
some kind of or even your, yourlicense will be enough.
I um, I don't remember havingto show anything except for my
license, um, but that is goingto be different again across
library systems.
So check on your library'swebsite, your library system's
(03:44):
website.
It will tell you exactly whatyou need.
Some you have to go in person,some you can do online.
So, again, you just have tokind of be prepared, for you
know everything.
Caitlin K (03:57):
It does take two seconds once you're in there
Even if you're like I don't wantto go inside.
When I went inside to do mine,I think it took me all of a
minute and a half, yeah, andthat included the time that I
was just like standing theregetting stuff out of my purse.
Ariella Monti (04:10):
Oh, yeah, definitely.
Caitlin K (04:11):
It was totally my fault that it took that long.
Ariella Monti (04:14):
So, so, quick, so quick.
Caitlin K (04:15):
Okay, so we talked about getting a local library
card.
What next?
Ariella Monti (04:19):
Next is get more library cards.
What, yes, so?
Get more library cards so youcan check neighboring systems
for either free or affordablenon-resident cards.
Caitlin K (04:35):
Oh yeah, so I actually have three library
cards, which is I have friendswho have like five or six.
That's some spy stuff.
I know that's spy stuff.
Yeah, I have friends who havelike five or six.
That's some spy stuff.
I know that's spy stuff.
Yeah, like this is some bornidentity going into the safe
deposit box and finding multiplepasswords Right, exactly what I
have three library cards so.
Okay.
Ariella Monti (04:57):
Depending on your system, you may be able to get
a non-resident card to aneighboring library system.
So here's an example I live inJohnson County, North Carolina,
and I live 30 minutes from thenearest Johnson County library.
We've got like five librarybranches in the entire county
(05:23):
but I also live 25 minutes awayfrom the nearest Wake County
branch.
Wake County is the county seatfor the city of Raleigh, which
is our capital, and they havelots and lots and lots of
libraries.
And I also yeah, I also used towork in Raleigh so I was
(05:43):
typically closer to a WakeCounty library than I was a
Johnson County library.
So I pay $25 a year to accessWake County's library system.
Caitlin K (05:54):
That's it Just $25 a year.
Yep, just $25 a year for Wake.
County.
Ariella Monti (05:59):
When I was doing a bit of research on this, it of
ranged from 25 to 75, dependingon the system, um.
So, for example, some systemswill offer free cards to state
residents.
So the dover public librarysystem will offer free cards to
(06:24):
any Delaware state resident.
The Los Angeles system it has afree card for California
residents and it's $50 fornon-residents.
Caitlin K (06:37):
Okay, still, if that's the yearly fee, that's
pretty manageable for all thefree stuff.
Ariella Monti (06:43):
You are probably going to get out of it Exactly
so having more cards gives youaccess to a larger catalog of
books, programs, services.
It increases access when yourlocal systems offerings are
limited or the branch in onesystem is more accessible than
your resident branch.
So that's why I have a WakeCounty card, because for a long
(07:07):
time the nearest branch was kindof inaccessible after like five
o'clock in the afternoon.
Like the branches in thelibraries in Johnson County are
not open as long as the ones inWake County.
I am usually in the, or I'mmore often closer at like
(07:29):
running errands or going toTarget and all of that stuff is
usually closer to the WakeCounty library.
So those libraries are closerto me and so it's more
accessible.
Sure, makes sense when it comesto like digital services,
depending on how your librarysystem works.
So I have a library card to theJohnson County system, the Wake
(07:51):
County system and the town ofClayton.
Town of Clayton is locatedwithin Johnson County but it is
its own library system andbecause I'm a resident of
Johnson County I get a free cardto the Clayton library.
And it wasn't always like that.
It used to be $25 and I did notpay that, but once they opened
(08:14):
it up I was like sure I'll getanother card?
Caitlin K (08:16):
Yeah sure, why not?
Exactly, okay, so that makes alot of sense.
You get to.
You have more access to morestuff if you have an additional
card.
Ariella Monti (08:25):
Exactly I gotcha, yeah, and if you want to put
numbers to it, since introducingmy kid to libby where I have
all three cards, he has read atleast 65 dollars worth of owl
diary books, and so two cardsare free and then one is only 25
a year, and the vast majorityof those books came from the
(08:49):
non-resident system because theyhave a bigger collection, and
so, even paying that $25 a year,I've already saved 40 amazing,
that's pretty awesome, right,okay, all right, you got me, I'm
hooked, so get, get more cards,Just get more cards.
Caitlin K (09:07):
Okay, what else do I need to know about this?
Ariella Monti (09:09):
Check your library for free and discounted
admissions or tickets.
So a lot of times librarieswill partner with museums and
zoos and you can get in free orat discounted rates.
Get in free or at discountedrates.
Caitlin K (09:25):
I did not know that.
Oh, my goodness.
Okay, well, that right there isgoing to be a big help because
the zoo.
Let me tell you, I love the zoo.
Ariella Monti (09:42):
That mess is outrageous, outrageous, yes.
So yes, yeah, and I'm into it.
I did not see the first cause.
I was trying not to just dolike libraries near me, so, but
the one that I know gets usedreally, really often is my
hometown library on Long Island,so the Sajan Public Library and
one of my besties uses the freepasses all the time.
They have free passes to 27museums and discounted passes to
(10:06):
the zoos and shows.
Caitlin K (10:09):
That is amazing.
Oh my goodness, OK yeah.
Ariella Monti (10:13):
So you can do like and again you got to check
and see you know what the rulesare and stuff.
I think with those free passesyou have to plan ahead because
you have to find out if thepasses are available for that
weekend and blah, blah, blah.
But I mean, if you're, if youhave a big family, like, just
with a little bit of planninglike that, that could be a lot
(10:34):
of money that you're saving.
There's a bundle for sure,Exactly, and then you can spend
it, you know, on an $85cheeseburger and $100 soda For
one kid, For one kid exactly.
And then you go through thegift shop and spend another
(10:55):
paycheck there.
Caitlin K (11:02):
Oh gosh, oh, that's so true, and I don't know about
yours, but mine has to stop atthe gift shop every time, and
now we have 8,000 stuffies inthe house, oh yeah, oh totally
there.
Ariella Monti (11:09):
we go Totally every time.
But my thing is so, when we gonow, like this is not the topic
of this show, but we takeadvantage of having, like zoo
memberships and all of thatstuff, yeah, so what I will do
is I will give him a budget,like I will say all right, I'm
going to give you $25.
Anything beyond that you needto spend your own money.
Caitlin K (11:29):
He's coming out of yours.
Yeah, exactly.
Ariella Monti (11:30):
Yeah, so he'll.
He's gotten pretty good aboutyou know.
Caitlin K (11:35):
Mom, this is $23.99.
Right, look it, I did it.
Mom, yeah, yeah, I'm chargingyou tax.
Okay, so, that's, that'sawesome.
So we've got get the librarycard, get multiple library cards
, because you have more accessto more things, and it also
gives you discounts to, or couldpotentially give you discounts
to, places around town to gotake your kids and do things.
(11:57):
Right, okay, yeah, exactly whatelse?
How?
Ariella Monti (11:59):
else.
Can this help us?
So you can also, again,depending on the library system,
you can borrow more than justbooks.
And I'm not talking about, likeyou know, when we were kids
they were like DVDs and CDs andstuff.
I'm talking about like actualstuff, stuff.
Now, I had heard this but Ihave never actually seen it like
in the real world until I wasdoing research for this and I
(12:23):
was poking around again at theSeacham Public Public Library's
website and they have a libraryof things.
They have birthday lawn signs,tool sets, a bubble machine,
what Right?
All kinds of things to digitizefilm.
You know, for your youngerlisteners, film is the stuff
(12:46):
that we used to record picturesand moments on and it's a
physical thing and like thatreally cool polaroid that you
have.
Caitlin K (12:56):
that your mom got you and she was like why am I
buying you this and the?
And one like thing to stick inyour polaroid camera cost 45.
That was life before your phone.
Oh, and we used to have tocarry them.
When we stopped carrying those,we had our phones, our digital
cameras, our wallet, and wedidn't wear a jacket when we
(13:16):
went out in the cold.
Everything had to fit into ourpockets or our fingers.
Ariella Monti (13:19):
Right, yes, or those little anybody clutches
that literally held nothing,held nothing, held none of that.
Caitlin K (13:26):
Like stuff it to the gills and you're supposed to put
it on your wrist and it'd be sofull of stuff that you would
smack people with it.
Yes, yeah.
Okay, okay.
So I feel like that could savea lot of money on just rental
costs in general.
Exactly, you're going and likerenting things.
That that I mean.
If you even go to Home Depotand rent a carpet cleaner, that
(13:46):
costs.
Ariella Monti (13:47):
So much money, so this is a great tip.
Right, okay, that was.
And the first thing I saw, likeI've never gotten one of those
lawn signs, because I've seenthat renting them is like
ridiculously expensive it's thecost of the kid's party, you
know, and like sure you?
Sure you could potentially like, if you're gonna rent something
(14:08):
constantly, like you could buyit but then you gotta store it
like, do you have space for anextra bubble machine?
I don't have space for an extrabubble machine.
Caitlin K (14:16):
My child's bike is in my living room, if that helps
you.
His bike is in my living room,so I have no storage, right?
So, yeah, I'm not buying anymore stuff if I can help it
Right?
Or it better be able to fold upand stick into a pocket
somewhere, exactly, exactly.
Ariella Monti (14:28):
So this you can check your library Again.
You know it's going to dependon your actual library.
The next time I go to thelibrary in the Wake County
system that I go to, I want tosee if they have a Cricut
machine.
Yes, because you can borrowthose too, at least in sachem.
Caitlin K (14:50):
You can, I, but I have to see if those, the
library and garner has oneamazing, oh my gosh, that's
killer.
Yeah, all right, oh, cool, okay, what else?
What else can the library do tohelp us?
Ariella Monti (14:57):
so you can take classes, workshops, seminars
that are typically free orextremely low cost.
You know, libraries do try tomake sure that everything is
free, but sometimes you know yougot to pay for something, but
they tend to be cheaper than ifyou were to take them someplace
else.
In this way, you can learnstuff before you do a thing, and
(15:21):
so you're spending less moneyfixing all the mistakes you made
because you were trying to doit.
You know, by the seat of yourpants, Not that.
Caitlin K (15:30):
I have any Right.
I was going to say I feelpersonally attacked by this,
Like I think you might, Right.
Ariella Monti (15:36):
I'm not talking about myself at all If we're
going to continue to attackourselves and each other.
You can also test drive a newhobby before you buy all this
stuff.
Caitlin K (15:49):
I was just going to say.
This is this.
Is Caitlin not needing to buyall the embroidery things, right
, and then picking up embroideryfor half a day and then
deciding she was done Exactly sowhen I was at the library.
Ariella Monti (16:02):
I was at the Wake County library just this past
week.
I was doing some writing withmy, with some writer friends,
and I always walk by the displaythat it's got the classes and
everything listed and they had.
They had a bird ID class, theyhad a gardening class and the
gardening classes held, heldwith the NC State Extension
(16:24):
Office, with the NC StateExtension Office.
So you're getting like mastergardeners teaching you how to
garden.
Like that's, that's pretty cool.
That's it's you know, an allfor free.
There's a crochet class, youknow, stuff like that, and it
was all.
Yeah, all like all free.
Caitlin K (16:41):
I love it.
Ariella Monti (16:42):
Those are.
Those are key.
I need to try to pay attentionto that stuff a lot more and
they often have like I know thatsame library for a little while
was doing like senior bingo orsomething every like coffee and
bingo and stuff.
So I like it.
Yeah, it can be a place where,if you are new to the area and
they have something going on,you can go and you can take the
(17:04):
class and you can make friendsand be lots of seniors and all
that, exactly, exactly, okay, Ilike it.
Caitlin K (17:12):
What else Is there more, cause I feel like this is
already a pretty good list.
Ariella Monti (17:15):
Yeah, so we've got all that stuff, and then on
top of that potentiallystreaming services and other
technology access.
Nice, yeah, so the ClaytonLibrary has access to Canopy,
which is a streaming servicespecifically for libraries.
(17:36):
There are movies, documentaries, tv shows.
I was told that there were alsolike tutorials and stuff.
Like a friend of mine waswatching videos on, like sewing
videos.
Oh cool, yeah, so like stuffthat you would kind of use
youtube for, but is on canopy.
I have flipped through it and Idon't know if the offerings
(18:02):
kind of depend on the librarysystem itself.
So I can I can't say that forsure.
The adult section is okay, butthe kids section is pretty good.
Caitlin K (18:12):
Okay.
Ariella Monti (18:13):
It has like a lot of PBS shows.
It has some popular YouTubeshows that kids can watch, like
without ads or without having toaccess the YouTube app.
Caitlin K (18:26):
That's the.
That's the place.
So okay, do you know, is thissomething that you can access
from home or just have to be atthe library?
You?
Ariella Monti (18:32):
can access it from home.
I put it on our TV and I thinkyou just have to put in your
library card number.
Caitlin K (18:38):
Yeah, Okay, very cool , I can get down with that.
Yeah, that's.
I prefer that over the YouTubeapp, which is on my TV, exactly.
Ariella Monti (18:46):
I just took hours off.
Caitlin K (18:48):
Yeah, okay, yeah, great, yes, all right.
Ariella Monti (18:51):
So, depending on you know what you use Canopy for
, um, you could potentiallycancel a streaming service.
I don't want to.
It's not going to replace, likeit's not going to replace
Disney plus or Netflix.
Or you know, if you are a heavyuser and heavy user for those
services, it's not gonna replaceDisney Plus or Netflix.
Or you know, if you are a heavyuser and heavy user for those
services, it's not gonna.
You know it's not gonna replaceit.
(19:12):
But kind of depending on howyou use it, maybe you could, or
you could maybe go down toanother plan, but at the very
least it's free.
Caitlin K (19:22):
So adding it to your yeah and add free, right exactly
.
So that alone is kind of a bigdeal to me, right, okay, yeah,
so those are the highlights andthe highlights.
Yeah, so my bonus tips here.
Ariella Monti (19:38):
oh yeah, my bonus tips for supporting your
library.
Because here's the thing if youwant those things in your
library, you got to support yourlibrary.
So library services requirefunding and community support.
So use your library and thentell the people in charge of
(19:58):
library budgets that you areusing the library and what you
love about the library, thelibrary and what you love about
the library.
So, if you're like I loved, Itook a class with the master
gardeners and they were amazing.
I want more of that, please.
Caitlin K (20:15):
Yes, Not just we love the books.
Ariella Monti (20:17):
Right, exactly.
Caitlin K (20:18):
Like all the things that are being provided.
It's like a Yelp review, but Ithink that the important thing
here is that they won't get thefunding if higher ups don't know
that those services are beingutilized Exactly.
Ariella Monti (20:29):
Like, and there's only so much you can get you
know from data points.
You know like, every timesomebody signs up for a thing,
like, it's a data point, everytime somebody takes out a book,
it's a data point, and so youhave the data points.
But having like um email, youknow your branch's library
director and be like, you know,I really love what you did with
the children's section.
(20:50):
I love that display that youdid.
I love the class that I took.
You know I'd like to see moreof this class, or I'd like to
see more of this Like.
So how libraries are funded,it's are funded, it's through
public funds, but how thosepublic funds are decided is
gonna vary.
(21:11):
Like I said, like my hometownlibrary, the CHM Public Library,
they have library budgets thatare I think I probably shouldn't
say this, but at least when Iwas living there, library
budgets were voted on by voters,whereas here in North Carolina
it's completely different andit's politicians elected
(21:31):
officials, are the ones who aredetermining that stuff.
So yeah, so you have to figureout, like, who's in charge of
the money, and bug them aboutyour library.
Caitlin K (21:44):
It's like what you need to do for all things.
Ariella Monti (21:46):
Yeah, pretty much .
Caitlin K (21:47):
Right, yeah, okay.
So, with that said, then whatelse can we do to support?
If we, if we know we need to,like, tell the library and tell
the powers that be that we lovethe library, then what else can
we do to support the library?
Is there anything else we cando or no?
Ariella Monti (22:02):
Definitely vote.
Well, vote for politicians thatsupport the library.
Yes, yes.
If there is a candidate who isreally talking about the library
and increasing library services, vote for them.
If they're not talking aboutlibrary services, ask them what
they plan on doing.
Do you plan on opening?
You know, like I don't't have,like a county library, you know
(22:26):
the nearest county library forme is 25 minutes away.
Like I would love one my area,you know I live in a semi-rural
area and it's been growing likeit's the houses that they're
putting in, like they're puttingin a new, two new schools, like
we could use a library branch.
You know yeah, so yeah that ifyou want to start growing your
(22:51):
library's book catalog, you canrequest that the libraries carry
the book.
They usually have some kind ofmaterials request form or
something like that, where youcan ask a library like, hey, I
really wish you would carry youknow this specific author or
this specific book and how wouldI request that this book gets
(23:13):
put on you know the next listwhen they're deciding what books
to get?
That's a good way to supportauthors as well, because authors
do get paid.
When libraries buy their booksor license their books, authors
do get paid for it.
I think that's it.
Caitlin K (23:35):
And Bray just shut off.
It's like we're done.
That's dopamine hits over right.
Like I got my dopamine.
I'm out Bye.
No, don't hang up, guys.
Okay, so here's what I'mhearing you need a library card.
You need more than one librarycard, because then you get more
access to more things.
Those more things could beeverything from books, programs
(23:58):
and services to discounts atevents to take your kids to, and
cheaper rentals and classes.
So all of these are ways thatyou can save money for yourself,
because you paid at most like$75 a year for a non-local
(24:18):
library card, but you could alsoget the same things, perhaps
depending on your branches, ifyou just go to the library and
sign up and show them proof ofID or proof of residency.
Ariella Monti (24:30):
Yeah, exactly.
Caitlin K (24:31):
Sounds easy enough.
Ariella Monti (24:32):
And then between all of it.
You've got access to so muchstuff and sometimes you don't
even remember that like you canget this stuff there until
you're.
Caitlin K (24:42):
I forget all the time .
Yeah, I'm so glad you remindedme of all of this.
Yeah, this is amazing.
Okay, let's take a quick break.
We'll be right back.
This is amazing, okay, we'll be,back For links to resources
mentioned in this episode.
Head on over tockandgkpodcastcom slash blog to
find everything you need, and besure to follow us on social
(25:04):
media.
Head over to your favoritesocial media network and find us
at CK and GK podcast.
And now back to the show.
And now back to the show.
Okay, are we back?
We're back.
Yes, we're back now.
So this is since Ariella taughtme things, I'm going to make
her do my things now and mythings we know.
We know our obsessions.
(25:26):
We have to talk about whatwe're obsessed with right now,
and we have to talk aboutsomething random that happened
to us, that's funny or sweet orjust.
You just have to tell someonewith our gym.
So I would like you to tell mefirst what your obsession is,
your current obsession at themoment.
Ariella Monti (25:41):
So my current obsession are chocolate,
hazelnut, uncrustables.
Caitlin K (25:46):
I did not know that these existed.
Are we talking about, like aNutella style Uncrustable?
Yeah, is that?
Ariella Monti (25:52):
what we're saying .
Yeah, I didn't know theyexisted until fairly recently
either.
So my son has avoidantrestrictive food intake disorder
, which is very, very.
It's a diagnosis for extremelypicky eating.
Caitlin K (26:13):
So it's like take the chicken nuggets and the
macaroni and cheese that yourkid eats every day and then
remove those two things fromtheir diet.
Ariella Monti (26:20):
Pretty much, pretty much, or or those are the
literally only two things, theonly two things.
And I would so fresh I wouldcry if my son ate either one of
those things.
Right, he's always in feedingtherapy with a um, um, an SLP,
and with a speech therapist.
Oh wow, the word like couldn'tmake it out of my mouth.
Caitlin K (26:41):
It's only a podcast, we only talk.
No, exactly, you don't have tohave words.
Ariella Monti (26:44):
Words don't mean anything Um.
This is why I'm a writer.
This is, this is this is why,yeah, no, I I got you this, you.
Caitlin K (26:53):
this is why, um, my rambling tendencies really don't
work and I need jen to comeback in here and edit anyway, so
tell us about these on crustsbecause I want to eat them in my
face, so they are just like thepeanut butter and jelly ones,
except they are filled with.
Ariella Monti (27:08):
I don't think it's, it's something like
nutella, yeah, not, not Nutellayeah not, oh man, and they come
frozen and you just take themout.
So they have been like I'vebeen trying to add more you know
protein into my diet and sneakprotein in places and it's got
like four grams of protein,which is not bad for something
(27:31):
that is basically a dessert.
Caitlin K (27:33):
Yeah, yeah.
No, that sounds like a yeah.
I would heat that up afterdinner.
You don't even need.
Ariella Monti (27:38):
That's the thing.
You don't even need to heat itup, you just take it out of the
refrigerator and just let itdefrost, and it defrosts how
long, though?
Caitlin K (27:44):
because I'll forget, and I need like an hour.
See no, I got it, I'm gonna.
I'm gonna put it in themicrowave, like I can't wait
that long, and I'll forget totake it out.
This is the person who, likeimpulse, says I'm going to bake
cookies, has half theingredients and has to run out
to the store in the middle ofthe thing and forgets to put the
butter.
So I have no, this is I have toheat it up.
(28:06):
See what?
Ariella Monti (28:07):
the good thing, what I've been using it for is,
before I run out of the house inthe morning, I will take one
and throw it into my yoga bagand then teach my class and then
, as I'm on the way home, it'llbe defrosted.
Yeah, because once it'sdefrosted, I think you've got
like eight hours to eat itbefore I guess it gets
(28:27):
questionable.
I mean, I don't know, that'snot.
I mean you know Well it is inthe last eight hours I'll tell
you that't know, that's not.
I mean you know.
Well, if you do, forget it.
Caitlin K (28:36):
It is going to last eight hours, right?
I'll tell you that right now,right, yeah.
Ariella Monti (28:39):
So those have been my.
I guess my gripe is thatthere's at least from what like
my husband does, the groceryshopping and the ones he's been
getting there's only like fourin a box, Whereas you could go
to like Costco and get like thepeanut butter and jelly ones,
(29:00):
like 87 of them.
Yeah, you know, so annoying.
So that's my gripe currently.
Caitlin K (29:05):
And, to be clear, the reason that you got them is
because you wanted your son toeat them.
Is that what's going on here?
Ariella Monti (29:11):
Yes, and he didn't want to try it.
And now I eat them.
Caitlin K (29:17):
Perfect.
No, I think that that'smotherhood in a nutshell.
I think it's exactly what weyeah, okay, well, mine is my new
washer and dryer, so this isexciting, this is a very
exciting thing.
Well, what happened was I wentto London for work and while I
was there I was, I was at a.
(29:38):
I was working at a trade show,which means I was behind the
booth, but it was also our tradeshow, like our.
We were the hosts of the event,so anything that needed to
happen I kind of ended up doingright.
So that means that, like at onepoint we hosted a happy hour
and I was basically a bar backnice for hour, like lugging
boxes of cases of Bud LightRight, right, not Bud Light,
(29:58):
budweiser Everywhere.
Ariella Monti (30:00):
In London Budweiser Really.
Well it's an American beer.
Oh, so it's an imported.
Caitlin K (30:06):
So it was an American beer and, for whatever reason,
people over there like it.
I don't.
Budweiser is not as terrible asBud Light.
I'm just going to put that outthere.
However, however, I don't likeBudweiser, so I was having the
wine that was there, but neitherhere nor there.
What the point of that?
part is my clothes?
(30:27):
No, it's fine.
My clothes got sweaty andstinky and while I was over
there and my clothes weregetting sweaty and stinky, my
washer cracked down.
So I came home to a washer thatwould not spin and it was a top
loader.
Ariella Monti (30:46):
So without the spinning it just didn't drain.
Caitlin K (30:48):
It was just a tub of water so, and it would drain,
but it would not agitate, itwould not spin nothing.
And when it did try to, youwould hear it like cranking and
I thought maybe it just kind oflike fell off of the the drum,
like fell out of it.
It doesn't matter, I can't fixit.
So I was like, forget it, we're, we're overdue.
When we got that washer anddryer we had just moved to
(31:08):
Austin.
Um, I had $0 and I had a sevenand a half week old and so we
bought a refurbished set.
So they were old when we gotthem.
So there we go.
Anyway, we got a new washer anddryer and I'm obsessed, can't
stop, won't stop talking aboutthem.
Love doing laundry.
It.
The drum is huge.
(31:29):
I can fit like an entire thingof like my whole hamper can go
in there.
It's kind of amazing because mywhole hamper could not before,
and before I would be like, okay, here's all the socks, they're
like I'm going to put them onthe bottom and then I, the heavy
stuff goes in the top, cause Iso like it was just a pain in
the butt to do laundry, and nowI'm so excited Cause I get to do
laundry in a big washer anddryer.
(31:50):
It makes me so happy and itfits my entire comforter.
Oh, that's key.
That is key, so good.
So this leads me to my gem ofthe week.
So that happened.
I got home on Saturday evening.
Sunday, I was like no, I haveto do laundry.
(32:11):
These clothes smell so bad,like I cannot.
They smell so bad.
My whole suitcase I have.
It's still sitting on the floor.
I got back two weeks ago.
It's sitting on the floorairing out because it stinks
Like.
I Febreze the inside of ittwice, still waiting for it to
not be stinky.
Okay, so that's a problem thatI will have to deal with another
time.
And washer and dryer can't fixit.
So, uh, then on Monday I waslike they were getting delivered
(32:36):
on Monday, that's how fast.
I was like no, we're on this,you can't do this.
And I was telling my son abouthow they were going to be here
when he got back, like, and sohe was like stoked for me
because I was super excited andhe comes home and he walks in
the door and when you walk intoour front door, the laundry room
is like just on the other sideof the entry hall so you could
(32:57):
go straight into the laundryroom if you wanted to.
And all of a sudden, I justhear we're in the future, we're
in the future, we're in thefuture.
And I was like what, what'sgoing on?
He was like mom, we're in thefuture with this washer and
dryer.
This, we're in the future withthis washer and dryer.
This is the future.
Yeah, he's like they look reallygood, mom.
(33:17):
I'm like no, I know, they'rebeautiful, aren't they?
I love them.
And he's like that's a Wi-Fisymbol on it.
Now do I have my washer anddryer hooked up to Wi-Fi?
No, because why do I need that?
I'm not from home, I don't needphone to tell me to do things,
(33:43):
and I dismiss the reminder andforget.
So it's no, who cares, right?
But he was so excited for me.
He's like future, this, righthere.
This, this, this future.
We're in the future, we're inthe future.
And I was like yeah, bud, weare man, I'm stoked that I can
fit a whole load of laundry inthere and you're stoked that
we're in the future.
(34:03):
Right, this is a good this is agood purchase.
Pretty happy with this AmazingLike I love kids.
Okay, do you?
Ariella Monti (34:10):
have any gems, so my gem is book related.
A friend of mine in one of myin my mom's group.
She got a, an alert from Kindlelike a, like a notification,
and it said an author you followhas a book coming out soon and
(34:33):
I was the author.
So she took a screenshot andshared it in the group and I
don't control that Like I.
I have nothing to do with that.
So it was amazing.
Caitlin K (34:46):
Okay, wait question Did I also receive that picture?
If you didn't send it to me,I'll put it up on our Instagram,
cause I know I did not.
Yeah, okay, send it to me, I'llput it up on our Instagram.
Ariella Monti (34:54):
Cause I would know I did not yeah.
Caitlin K (34:57):
I sent it to me and I'll put it on our Instagram.
Ariella Monti (34:59):
I have to yeah, I have to edit it a little bit,
because it's a screenshot of myfriend's lock screen, so like.
Caitlin K (35:05):
Oh yeah, no, we'll.
No, I'll take, yeah, we'll takecare of all that.
No, no, no, no, I just that'sso exciting, oh, I would have
lost my mind.
Ariella Monti (35:12):
Yeah, it was, it was pretty, it was pretty cool,
especially cause I can't likeit's not like I put a little
note in there like okay, thisday, like send an alert.
You know that was on, probablythat's so exciting.
Caitlin K (35:25):
So it was.
It was very cool.
Oh my gosh, very, very coolDude, that's so cool.
We are in the future becauseyour book is coming.
I know, oh my gosh, you guys, Ium, I have two of the copies
and I have the pre-order, Ithought, but this episode is
coming out pre, so we can stillpre-order if we want to.
(35:46):
Right, okay, great.
Ariella Monti (35:50):
Yeah, so you can pre-order.
You can pre-order the ebook.
You can pre-order the ebook onAmazon, barnes and Noble, kobo,
apple Books, all those places.
Yeah, so you can pre-order theebook.
You can't pre-order thepaperback because Amazon won't
let me, or it won't let, theyjust don't.
So if you want the paperback,you just have to order it on
(36:14):
march 1st okay.
Caitlin K (36:15):
Well, that's why I've been holding out then, because
I want to, I want to keep it,yeah, personally, yeah, I like
those, okay.
So, in case you don't know,ariela is an author.
She writes um spicy books, soif you like those?
you?
Um, we'll put links to her thepre-order in the blog post for
this episode so you can go checkthat out, um, and we'll also
(36:35):
make sure you can find herauthor profile on Amazon or
Goodreads, whichever whateveryou prefer.
Um, we'll put that all in theblog post for this episode as
well.
But, um, I'm so happy for you.
Again, I want to thank you somuch for being here.
Uh, we're gonna.
We're gonna wrap this episodereal quick.
So libraries are amazing.
(36:55):
Go to the library, and Jennywould tell y'all to make good
choices.
So do that and support yourlocal library.
Okay, bye.
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