There is nothing more distressing for a college student than going to buy your textbooks and knowing your bank account will take a hard hit. The price tags on these books can be insane and they seem to be in a constant climb. College students spend enough money on actually going to the college, yet they are still weaseled out of even more money when it comes to books. Luckily, there are numerous ways of avoiding the high price tag we have all come to know and hate.
One of the simplest ways is to buy your books at the campus bookstore, but buy them early, so you can snatch up all the used copies. Used copies are pretty much guaranteed to be marked down from the original price, but they go quickly. An even better on-campus option is finding someone who has taken the same class. See if they will sell the books to you for a lower price that way you avoid the dreaded mailing system. This can be as easy as putting a post out on social media, asking if anyone has taken the class in previous semesters.
On-campus is certainly not the only place that you can buy your books. Websites, such as Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and eBay could potentially provide the textbook you are looking for at a much cheaper rate. Another way to find the cheapest version of your books is to go on a site called, “Book Finder.” It compares the price of the book from various vendors for you, saving you time. It is similar to a trip finder, except for books.
The answer is not always buying the textbooks; sometimes, it is renting them. Renting textbooks can save you a substantial amount of money, so long as you are careful to return them on time. If you don’t, you will be charged extra. Since we are in the age of technology, we have the ability to download a version of the textbook. E-books on Kindles and iPads are growing in popularity and are much cheaper. Similar to hard copies, you can highlight and make notes in the margins.
Regardless of where or how you buy your textbooks, make sure to keep your books in good condition throughout the semester so you can try to regain the money spent when textbook buyback comes around!