LOL, Joe I hear ya! Had I paid that much I'd surely have hesitated. In the long run though I tend not to use a book that fights resting-open, and then what's the point of the $50? So tossing another tenner at it for spiral binding kinda make sense, no? I'm willing to bet you'll love it more than regret it if you can find the courage to break the cardinal rule against "damaging" books.

Leeneia I've done that too with a book that had suitable dimensions! And binders can often be had free of charge towards the end of a yard sale.

~CH.