College Textbooks Savings

The Money Minute is brought to you by Mary Hurlburt, the Director of Community Outreach.

It’s been 15 years, but I can still recall the sick feeling in the pit of my stomach when I discovered that our son Jason’s textbooks for his first quarter at college were going to cost a whopping $900! We had three children enrolled in college that year. We hadn’t planned for this.

• Borrow: This is one time when belonging to a sorority or fraternity works to your advantage. Jason borrowed some books from upper classmen who used them the preceding year. Borrow from a good student and the book will already be highlighted appropriately—making getting good grades easier for the borrower!
  Savings: as much as 100%.
   
• Rent: It’s big business now. Some operate like the new wave of video rentals where you order and then return them in prepaid envelopes when you’re finished. Try www.chegg.com or www.bookrenter.com.
  Savings: As much as 80% of the cost of new.
   
• Buy Used: While the campus bookstore may seem like the logical place to go, there may be more savings online. Try: www.bookfinder.com, www.half.com, www.campusbooks.com or www.ecampus.com.
  Savings: At least 25%.
   
• Digital: It works for some courses. Try these two sites: www.coursesmart.com or www.ichapters.com.
  Savings: As much as 50%.
   
• Publisher: Go to the publisher’s website and see if they offer a cheaper “study” edition or one in another format.
  Savings: As much as 50%.