College Text Book Time
It’s that time again. Time for textbookbuying, and in some cases, time to shell out some big bucks, making it hard to be that sad, sad creature we all call a college student. But Wait! Don’t despair! I am here! (Sorry, had to, as I am both a poet and lover of Superheroes).
Quick Fact: The average student textbook, based on a review of major publishers, is $131.44. Yuck!
Anyway, while at community college, I used to shell out full price, at the student bookstore, for new textbooks. My financial aid, including grants and loans, easily covered the costs for tuition and books, and I didn’t feel I needed to be that savvy. Then something happened. I don’t exactly know what, but I think it was the need to buy a new car. Now my income and expenses took on a whole new meaning, and I needed to shave as much as possible. So, I started doing research. I am happy to admit that I’ve been “off” the new books for years, and haven’t had one relapse. All it takes is a little planning, a little cash before financial aid rolls in, and a little bit of faith in the internet.
Most of the tips below are from real experience, and not just regurgitated facts from the internet. In the spirit of full disclosure, I’ll make it clear what sites I’ve had success or problems with, as well as resources I have yet to try, but feel they deserve a mention.
Have fun and good luck with school this year.
Quick Fact: The average student textbook, based on a review of major publishers, is $131.44. Yuck!
Anyway, while at community college, I used to shell out full price, at the student bookstore, for new textbooks. My financial aid, including grants and loans, easily covered the costs for tuition and books, and I didn’t feel I needed to be that savvy. Then something happened. I don’t exactly know what, but I think it was the need to buy a new car. Now my income and expenses took on a whole new meaning, and I needed to shave as much as possible. So, I started doing research. I am happy to admit that I’ve been “off” the new books for years, and haven’t had one relapse. All it takes is a little planning, a little cash before financial aid rolls in, and a little bit of faith in the internet.
Most of the tips below are from real experience, and not just regurgitated facts from the internet. In the spirit of full disclosure, I’ll make it clear what sites I’ve had success or problems with, as well as resources I have yet to try, but feel they deserve a mention.
Have fun and good luck with school this year.
Facts that may make you cringe …
· Most edition changes are not substantial, but allow for the publisher to charge more for the text book
· The bundling of CD-ROMs and other media allow the publisher to charge a lot more for the book (and most likely you don’t need that baloney for your class anyway). PERSONAL NOTE: I have taken only once course where I needed the extra CD’s and junk – Spanish.
· Not all professor’s are aware of what a text book costs, nor do they make the final decision in what books are required for the program
· Textbooks are more expensive than other books to produce. The added pictures, color pages, detailed facts, etc., cost cash to make.
· Older editions are always cheaper than the new ones, and most of the time, at least in my experience; the older edition is just as fine. A TIP: most of the time your school’s library will have some of your textbooks on reserve. If your older edition is missing an article, or devastingly important graph, you can always check it out at the library.
(Much of the above information came from an article by Charlotte Allen ofMindingTheCampus.com. The original article is posted HERE. )
View "How to Buy Cheap Textbooks for College" including sites to save you some hard earned (or slightly stolen) cash!
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