When it comes to college, shopping and getting prepared can get really expensive. But it’s a whole other thing when we have to buy textbooks. It seems that bookstores want at least $100 for each book, which adds up when a majority of your classes will require multiple. But if you take advantage of some other options, you’ll find yourself saving hundreds.
1. Ditch the bookstore.
College bookstores purposely charge more because they know students will still buy from them. But unless the book is personalized to your school, go elsewhere. You’ll spend less.
2. Go online.
Go to websites like chegg.com or dealoz.com. Their prices are a lot cheaper. They scan websites where people sell various books for less money. You may have to pay for shipping, but you also may only have to pay $3 for the book itself.
3. Rent your books instead of buying them.
You can typically rent books through the bookstore, and you can definitely rent them online. You might not get to keep the book, but sometimes it’s for the better. Books get out of date, and all the accurate information can easily be found online. So while you might not always have to book to turn to as a reference, you can count on getting even more up-to-speed information online.
4. Ask around to see if anyone at your school has a copy you can buy from them.
Oftentimes, other students are willing to sell used textbooks at a lower price to their friends or schoolmates. Whether you ask your friends or look on social media for a textbook-swapping group, this is a great way to save money.
5. Buy used copies of textbooks.
If you have the option to buy new or used, buying the used copies saves money. So long as all the pages are intact and the writing inside the book doesn’t make it unreadable, used books work just as well. Used paperback copies are even cheaper yet.
6. Go digital.
If you are the kind of person who doesn’t need to have the actual physical copy in your possession, you can get e-files even cheaper yet. Usually, they’re cheaper by a significant amount too. Also, not only will you save money, but you'll be carrying around a lighter backpack too.
7. Cash in those savings bonds if you have them.
Remember the money your grandparents used to give your for your birthday and they said it was specifically for college? This is your chance to use them. After all, textbooks are a vital part of college.
If you use any or all of these options other than just going to the bookstore and buying your books there, you'll find yourself saving so much money. And when we see the money we could be spending, we want to cut down and save money any way we can.
