Welcome to my 52 Ways to Save $100 a Month series. We’re serious about saving money in 2016. Sometimes it’s the little things and sometimes it’s the big things. I’m here to walk you through some little things that can add up to BIG savings. 52 little things to be exact. Every week, join me back here for another small money saving tip or idea that might not seem like significant savings until you see the overall yearly savings. It might just blow your mind. So pop in each Tuesday and read a new tip that will help you on your way to save $100 a month!
Okay, so this one might not apply to all. But to those it will help, it will help big. College textbooks are absurdly expensive. I think the big textbook companies got together and decided they wanted an uneducated America, so they jacked the prices of their books up so high, no one could afford them. Or something like that. And while it might not be a conspiracy, the crazy high cost of textbooks is reality. So don’t play their game. Here’s how you can save:
Buy Used: Here’s the big one, so we’re talking about it first. Amazon, Craigslist, eBay and sites like eCampus are great places to look for used textbooks at a fraction of the price. Because seriously, you might have to take out a second mortgage to buy that Chemistry book. But if you buy it used, you can still sell it back and get a bit of your money back. I think, overall, this is your best bet when it comes to saving big.
Rent Instead: Maybe. The renting vs. buying option must be researched before you decide if renting is best. How long is the rental period {i.e. will they get to keep the book until the end of the semester}? What is the policy on highlighting? What constitutes a “damaged” book? Make sure you factor in shipping when it comes to rentals too. Most of the time you can get free shipping to you, but you have to pay for shipping back. Some of those textbooks weigh a ton, so shipping might not be worth it. Once all of those questions are satisfied, you’ll know if renting is worth it.
Buy New With Caution: Sometimes new makes more sense. Some buy back prices make the book actually worth buying instead of renting. For example, if the book is $50, but the store will buy it back at the end of the semester for $25, then buying it, instead of renting it for $30 is the better option. A little research will help in this department.
Borrow From the Library: Man how I love libraries. And if you’re buying college book, you’ll love them, too. While your school library may not have a copy of every single textbook, it’s likely to have copies of some of them. Check there before you buy.
Swap or Share With Friends: Take a look at the class list of friends. It’s possible one of your friends has to take the same class next semester or that they’ve just taken a class you need a book for. Or maybe you are even taking the same class. Talk about sharing a book or pooling money and buying it together.
Run Away From the Bookstore: Just don’t step foot in there unless you have exhausted every single other option. Seriously. College bookstores are scary places.
How do you save on textbooks? Any secrets to share?
~Mavis
How Much Can You Save: Lots! Buying used can save you up to 90% off the cover price and renting can save you 100%. Not too shabby! Don’t cave to the bookstore pressure.
More Ways to Save:
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Clean Out Your Closet {Week 1 of 52}
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Break Up with Cable {Week 2 of 52}
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Barter Better {Week 3 of 52}
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Change Your Own Oil {Week 4 of 52}
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Adjust Your Thermostat {Week 5 of 52}
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Take Advantage of Your Perks {Week 6 of 52}
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Pack Your Lunch {Week 7 of 52}
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Make It Yourself {Week 8 of 52}
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Preserve Your Bounty {Week 9 of 52}
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Keep the Change {Week 10 of 52}
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | The Art of Borrowing {Week 11 of 52}
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Ditch the Gym {Week 12 of 52}
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Clip a Coupon {Week 13 of 52}
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Start Your Garden From Seed {Week 14 of 52}
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Learn to Cut Hair {Week 15 of 52}
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Become a 1 Car Family {Week 16 of 52}
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Make a Phone Call {Week 17 of 52}
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Shop Christmas in July {Week 18 of 52}
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Grow a Garden {Week 19 of 52}
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Just Say No {Week 20 of 52}
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Go Generic {Week 21 of 52}
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Make a Budget {Week 22 of 52}
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Use the Library {Week 23 of 52}
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Kick the Soda Habit {Week 24 of 52}
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Improve Your Credit Score {Week 25 of 52}
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Shop Online {Week 26 of 52}
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Save on Lodging {Week 27 of 52}
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Play for Free {Week 28 of 52}
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Save Big on Birthday Parties {Week 29 of 52}
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Back to School Clothes on the Cheap {Week 30 of 52}
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Jennifer says
We use some version of all of your suggestions. I’m in college and so is my daughter, so there are loads of books bought and rented.
Another thought: buying books right as or right after the semester starts means higher prices and lower supply sometimes. I try to get my books a couple of weeks ahead if possible (especially for buying). This may mean contacting your professor directly.
Some professors have a text listed in the syllabus, but then will tell you later the book is at the library, or not actually needed, or that it’s about the same as the much cheaper older edition. Pays to ask.
I always buy the book for classes in my major.
If you’re taking a sequence of 2 or 3 courses, like bio, chem, or calculus, for example, you’ll likely use the same book for all the courses in the sequence. So it might be thriftiest to just buy the book in the first place–but student beware: our bio department switched texts midyear and didn’t fully support students using the old text.
Some classes are notoriously difficult at a given school, meaning there is a greater chance of failing and retaking the class. If this may be you, think about the cost if you rent the text twice.
And last but not least, I always, always rent or buy the “student solutions manual” if there are assignments from the text. Solutions manuals are a huge bonus because they walk you through problems step by step (generally), making the manual a great bang for your buck.
jamie says
I am the lucky momma of two college students. So far renting has never been a good option. We have even seen renting more expensive than buying the book brand new!
I agree with the comment above. Check with the professor about which books are really needed even if you are given a list.
We have bought new and used at the bookstore, had great deals from Amazon, from other students who post on the university facebook group page, and fantastic deals on ebooks We’ve even bought from a different university’s bookstore.
Also make sure if you are not buying from the university’s bookstore that you copy the ISBN number so you buy the correct edition of the book if it matters.
JJ says
I am replying to this comment because buying the previous edition of a text book can save you a ton of money. At lot of times this only really works with math and science books because between editions there are usually minor changes. The only thing to need to watch out for are homework problems assigned out of the back of the chapters. Those often change, but if you have a friends book or the professors book to copy the problems from you are golden.
I have one edition of a text book that was one edition older than the most current edition and the ONLY thing that had changed was the artwork on the cover of the book. Instead of payint 100+ for the new current edition I think I got a used copy of the previous edition for less than 10$ including shipping.
Cassandra says
My daughter has been able to find some of her textbooks online as .pdf for free.
Carrie says
The public college I attended included the price of books in tuition. There were maybe 5 supplemental books I needed to purchase or rent. It was pretty awesome to not have to worry with finding a good deal. As long as the book was returned in good condition you weren’t charged any extra fees.
Paula says
Check with the college themselves to see if they have a group/club or program that helps with books. My son attends a local community college and they have a group called “S.I.N.G.” (Students in need group) They help with loaning the books so the student doesn’t have to purchase them. I too have found great deals on Amazon but be careful of pricing/shipping/ISBN. Some may need the CD for the class and sometimes they are not included with used. If software or computer codes are needed check with either the company /college/professor to see if you are able to get a free time frame or reduced price.
Deb says
I have been working on my Master’s degree and I have been renting the books on Amazon.com when they are available. The shipping here and back is always free and the give us a reasonable amount of time to return it. I save the package it came in, pop it back in with appropriate form, tape it up, re-label it and send it off. I always find that the rental prices on Amazon is cheaper than I can find used and it keeps me from having a text book hanging around the house that I will not use again.