Thursday, September 1, 2011

College Textbooks



My college kids get very frustrated when they get their lists of textbooks each semester. It seems that the colleges change editions every other year. This can be very costly. We try to buy used textbooks as much as possible. Here are some ideas for saving some money on those college texts.
  1. Buy used from Craigslist, Ebay, Amazon and a whole host of textbook sellers. Do a google search for used college texts.
  2. If the text required is a new edition, email the professor and ask if the past edition is acceptable for the course. Many times it is.
  3. There are international editions of many of the texts for a reduced price, but you have to be careful with this one. My sister once ordered a book for her son and it was not in English.
  4. Many college bookstores are now renting books. Check around for local bookstores or online sites that also rent books. They can be less expensive than your college bookstore.
  5. If you absolutely cannot find it used for a good price. The last hint is to look for the looseleaf edition of your book. I just found the latest edition of a textbook my daughter needs for the same price as renting. I will pay a little extra to get a spiral binding put on it. Then we will be able to sell it next semester.
A little extra time can make your money go a little bit further!

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