College textbooks can be very expensive. These textbooks can cost more than $2,000 a year. In fact, individual college books often cost around $100 to $200 dollars each. College students going back to school this fall might spend more on books in college than in high school, primarily because there will be longer reading assignments. Many professors use more than one textbook for a specific course, too. College books are expensive, highly-specialized materials.
If you want to make ends meet and successfully make it through college, you have to find ways to save on college textbooks. Here are some of the tips that would help you cut back and manage your book expenses.
Do not go to the bookstore.
The first thing you want to do when you need a specific book is to go to the bookstore. But the most effective way to save money on college books is to stay away from the bookstores. While it is more convenient to purchase textbooks in the bookstore, it could cost you a lot of money. You may need to visit the bookstore from time to time to purchase highly specialized materials, but you should purchase your textbooks elsewhere whenever possible.
Buy your books online.
You can save a lot of money when you purchase your books online. You can buy college textbooks from Amazon, Half.com, CengageBrane.com, Barnes & Noble and other websites. If you want to save money on college books, it is best to check BigWords.com. This website will help you find coupons, promotions, discounts and other deals. This website also searches multiple online sources to get you the best deals possible. If you want to check your best purchase and rental options online, try CampusBooks.com. This website also searches multiple websites to give you a great deal.
Borrow books.
If you have a friend or a family member who has the college books that you need, the best option is to borrow books. You can also barter books with other students. This could save you a lot of money.
Go for used books.
One great way to save money is to go for used books. Used books cost less than half the price of brand new books.
Buy an earlier edition.
If you do not really need the latest edition, it is best to go for an earlier edition as this is much cheaper.
Go for e-books.
Most publishers also sell electronic copies of their paperback books. E-books are a lot cheaper than paperbacks. So, if you want to save a substantial amount of money on textbooks, it may be a great idea to go for e-books.
Download free e-books.
You can find free e-books online. OpenStax College, for example, provides free e-books online that you can download as a PDF document and save it to your computer.
Rent your college textbooks.
If you feel like you are not going to use the book after the end of the semester, it is best to rent it instead. Many websites and booksellers rent books. You can check CampusBookRentals.com, Bookbyte.com, BookRenter.com, Chegg.com and eCampus.com.
Opt for the international edition of the book.
The international edition of the book is usually much cheaper. It has a different cover and the chapters may be in different order, but it has the same content, nonetheless. (Just make sure it’s in English, or whatever language you are looking for.)
Share with a friend.
If you do not really need the book that much, it is best to buy it with a friend. You and your friend can take turns studying and reading.
Check your university library.
If you do not need the book all the time, it is best to do your research in the university library instead. This will help you cut back on your textbook expenses. To ensure that the book is available when you need it, it is best to order the book ahead of time. You can also use the interlibrary loan system.
If your school library does not have the book, you may want to check the public libraries.
Saving money on college textbooks is pretty easy. You just have to get creative and be more resourceful. Renting a book, reading an e-book, or sharing a book with a friend may not be as convenient as buying a paperback book by yourself in a bookstore. But, it could save you a lot of money that you can use for emergencies — or pizza!
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How to Save Money on College Textbooks originally appeared on usnews.com
