Let’s talk about the "Dad Tax." Every time a new Pokémon, Spider-Man, or Mario game drops, it’s another $70 hitting the credit card. And half the time, the kids play it for a weekend and then it sits on the shelf gathering dust.

But there is a legitimate way to play thousands of titles for the Nintendo Switch, PS5, and Xbox Series X without spending a dime.

Imagine your kid asking for a game they’ve been wanting to try. Instead of heading to the store, you grab your phone. A few taps later, the game is reserved for you. Your kids get to play it, beat it (or realize they don't actually like it), and you return it when you're done. No buyer's remorse, no wasted cash.

In Boise, you can check out up to 5 games at a time for four weeks each. While the brand-new releases often have a waitlist, the library’s collection is massive. Whether you’re finally catching up on a hit from last year or testing out a game before you commit to buying it, this is the most underutilized resource in the Treasure Valley.

This isn't a shady subscription or a "free-to-play" scam. It’s a resource you already pay for with your taxes.

The Boise Public Library keeps a rotating stock of current-gen games at its branches. It’s essentially a free version of a game store that belongs to you.

The Dad Hack: Don't just walk in and hope they have what you want on the shelf. Download the Ida app to your phone. You can search the entire city-wide catalog, see which games are available right now, or jump on the waitlist for the newest releases. They’ll email you when your "loot" is ready at the front desk.

It’s faster than the mall, and a whole lot cheaper.

If this was useful, come back next week and share it with a dad who’d appreciate it.