How does anyone here get a wish-list book without any credits? Every single time I have gotten that long-awaited email saying I have a wish-list book chance, I am at 0 credits! Usually because I have very few books and even fewer people who want them, and when I do get a credit, it sits there for weeks or months, and I find another book I want because I need something to read, and days later, an email arrives about a WL book! It's enough to drive me CRAZY!

You only have two choices, keep a spare credit or two always, or buy them when a WL comes up and you are out. That's unfortunately the rule that you agree to when placing books on your WL, that you will either keep credits back to cover them or buy them when needed.

I joined Box-o-Books a long time ago which saves me a lot of credits and still gets me lots and lots of great books. I also decided I would wait to read the latest, greatest book in a year or two when it becomes less popular, and the 200 people that are on the WL for them now, repost their's and I can get one thru boxing.

I'm the same way with movies. I'll wait a year or whatever until it comes on TV rather than spend the money at the theatre.

Personally, I keep a "stash" of credits that I don't go below so when a wishlist book comes up I have credits.  As Sherry said, the other choice is to buy them.  After being a member for a while, my TBR pile is large enough that I don't have any trouble waiting for books.

or you could ask someone you've swapped with to let you 'borrow' a credit or two. 

(Most of the people on the boards will do that for you.) let me know the next time, i'll loan you a credit!

I had the same problem, until I found a discount store and bought a bunch of WL'd books for under five dollars.  Now, any time that my credits get low, I just read a WL book, then send it on for a credit.  Plus I play in swaps now where I swap one WL book for another. 

People are often selling credits in the book bazaar, you can get them a little cheaper that way.

You may want to change your profile so that other members can see your wish list. This would allow others to offer a wish list book to you directly if they have one that's unpostable...

Like Sheri said, Box-o-Books is a great way to get books to read without credits.

If you do get a WL come up at a time you are out of credits, ask to borrow one. There are usually a few of us around that will loan one out for that. 

They give you 48hrs to buy a credit to cover the WL book if you don't have one. There's always people offering deals on credits in the book bazaar. Have you tried running a deal in the bazaar.  When I've had books sitting for a while and want to clear up some space, I run a deal.  2 for 1 or 3 for 1.  The postage doesn't go up that much and the credits I get are worth more than what I would get selling them back to the UBS.

Also try what someone else suggested.  I haven't checked out your WL to see how long it is or what's on it yet. But you could try buying a few that have long lines. You might find them pretty cheap on Ebay or the UBS. Then read it and post it to someone's WL and then save the credit you earned for the next WL offer. 

Check out the club WL.  If you're out at the UBS, thrift stores or garage sales you might be able to find some.

you have a lot of children's books, maybe offer a 2 for 1 in that forum?  check out the next garage sale in your area and maybe you can pick up a few for cheap (look for unusual titles and not the common ones).  ask friends and family for books to post.  my mom gives me hers and occasionally I will order a book she wants and have it sent to her.  a win-win situation

I've made my WL public if anyone wants to check it out. :) Thanks for the advice!

I've only had that happen once - right after I joined and I had 3 books I'd mailed but hadn't gotten the credits yet. I bought some then and that's what I'd do if it happens again, but now I always stay around 10 credits so I don't run out.

I don't mean to sound like I'm begging for sympathy cause I'm not, I just thought I'd note that as I live on $600 a month, it's almost impossible for me to afford to buy credits. But I will keep them on my needs list once I get caught up on my bills...