Beat Netflix's 30 day limit, free

A lot of people have been bothered by Netflix no longer getting new DVD and Blu-Ray releases until a month after they've been on shelves at stores and other select platforms and locations. I'm not a huge fan of picking up the newest releases, but every now and then something comes out that I wish I could pick up (*cough* Inception *cough*). Well, fortunately, there is a great solution to taking care of this, without having to spend anything.

First off, my wife recently decided to dive back into her love of reading, and that's been a great thing for our home. We've all started to read more, and this has naturally brought us to the library. The funny thing is, we've noticed that the library has had a pretty good selection of movies available. While our local library doesn't carry Blu-Ray (and I would guess that most do not), it has been amazing to me how on top of new release DVDs the place is. For example, Inception just came out yesterday, and the library already has several copies available for check-out. For free! I know that libraries are going to be very different from location to location, but it would definitely be worth checking to see how your library is and taking advantage of this to subsidize your Netflix queue.

While I know that Netflix is pushing to eventually move things to streaming movies (and who can blame them, it costs them much less!), it is going to be a while before that transition is done with its growing pains. For me, my library probably won't replace my desire to have physical discs from Netflix, but some out there may see this as a great way to drop to the streaming-only plan that is offered. Either way, if you're dying to get your hands on a new release, and you're cool with getting the DVD, the library is probably the cheapest place to look!

Now, this solution is not without its problems. Libraries are going to have a limited number of copies available, and waiting lists may make you wait a whole month anyways if you wait to reserve a copy. Fortunately, most libraries these days have sites you can reserve copies on, making the process very easy. Basically, you go online, reserve your copy, then pick it up once they put it on hold for you. In some libraries the check-out system is even automated, you just need your library card and you check out at a kiosk. Even so, you may need to throw a reminder on your favorite to-do list/calendar software to make sure you get your request for a new movie the day it comes out (or the soonest you can reserve it) to make sure you don't have to wait too long.

Hopefully you live in an area with a Library that allows for these kinds of features, especially if this is the kind of thing you'd love to take advantage of! Plus, if you go to the library, at least you don't have to give any more money to Blockbuster. It's time to just let those guys die in peace.