My 7 best tips for saving on college textbooks (plus win a $100 gift card!)
This giveaway is now closed. Congrats to Michelle, winner of the gift card!
Thank you Barnes & Noble
for sponsoring this post. While this was a sponsored opportunity from Barnes & Noble, all content and opinions expressed here are my own.
Before the fall semester, I mentioned a way that Joshua and I saved some money on one of his textbooks, and a reader asked if I'd do a whole post about ways to save on college textbooks.
Which is kind of funny, because Barnes & Noble had asked if I'd write a post about that as well.
It was pretty serendipitous. 😉
While I'm slightly new to the college textbook world, I've been hard at work saving money on homeschooling textbooks for years and the techniques I used have translated very nicely into the college world.
So, if you're a homeschooling parent of small kids, read on! I think a lot of these tips will be helpful for you too.
1. Think outside the college bookstore.
Sometimes, the college bookstore is a necessity (like when classes call for college-specific textbooks), but a lot of the books they sell are available online.
It costs no money and very little time to do some Googling with the ISBN to see if you can obtain the books more cheaply. The college bookstore is always there as a backup if you come up dry, so why not at least try looking somewhere else?
For instance, with the help of Barnes & Noble, you can find books at low prices, so you can get the most bang for your buck. Several of their textbooks are listed up to 30% off the sticker price, plus they offer free shipping on all new textbook orders over $25.
2. Look for used books.
Lots of people want to offload their books at the end of a semester, so used college textbooks are in good supply both at the bookstore and online. Who cares if the book has a few wrinkles? If you buy a new ones, it's just going to end up wrinkled at the end of the semester anyway!
While there are many places to look for used textbooks, Barnes & Noble only sells the highest-quality used books (so you never have to worry about missing pages or books in unusable condition) at up to 90% off the sticker price. Check out how to purchase used textbooks through Barnes & Noble by clicking here.
One caveat: when the book comes with an online activation code, used is not always a good idea. However, you can sometimes buy an activation code separately, and if you get the book cheaply enough, this can still end up being cheaper than a new book/code package.
3. Rent books.
Again, if you need an online activation code, you'll want to be careful, but otherwise, renting is a super way to obtain a book cheaply.
And you don't even need to mess with selling it at the end of the semester...just mail it back and you're done!
Barnes & Noble offers this option, and even gives you a free printable shipping label to make returns as easy as possible. There are thousands of textbooks available to rent through the Barnes & Noble Textbook Rental Program, with flexible periods from 60 to 130 days. They even give you the option to extend the rental or purchase the book, in case you need to get some extra study sessions in.
Joshua's English class required a book that was over $100 at the bookstore and online, but we were able to rent it online for a mere $26. So perfect!
4. Check ISBNs.
Whenever I shop for used textbooks online, I always use an ISBN to search. This eliminates confusion about which edition you're really buying and whether it matches with what the professor requires.
A great deal on the wrong book is, um, not a great deal.
5. Ask the professor questions.
If there's an earlier edition that's way cheaper, ask if that edition will work just as well.
And if you're wondering whether the course will be using the online portion (where you need an activation code), ask! If the professor doesn't require it, you can buy a used no-code copy and save yourself some money.
6. Ask around.
Putting the word out is a super useful frugal technique in lots of arenas and we've found it helpful in the college textbook world.
If your friends have taken a class that you're planning to take, see if they'll sell you their books. Even if they haven't taken the class, maybe they have a non-mutual friend that has, and they can put you in touch.
7. Sell those books!
If you took a survey of college graduates 10 years post-college and asked how many have used the textbooks they kept, I think you'd get very few yeses.
If you're reasonably sure you'll refer to the book again, AND if it's not a book that will quickly go out of date, then maybe it's wise to keep it. Otherwise, sell it!
More money and less clutter is a win.
The fastest, easiest way is to bring books to your college bookstore, but this doesn't always net you the largest return.
Selling them individually will get you more money, but it's more work, and you have to wait until they sell to get paid.
An in-between option is to sell them back as a group online. Through Barnes & Noble’s site, you can input your textbooks’ ISBN numbers to find out which ones they want and how much they'll pay you. You can send all the accepted books in together, and you don't have to wait to get paid. They also provide prepaid shipping labels to make the process easier.
Whatever you do, don't let your books sit and collect dust! Get some money out of them that you can funnel into next semester's book purchases.
Win a $100 gift card!
One last thing...Barnes and Noble is giving a $100 gift card away to one of you.
(Ohhhh, yeah!)
To enter, leave a comment sharing your best tip for saving on textbooks.
(And if you don't have a tip, it is totally fine to just say you want the gift card. 😉
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Void where prohibited. Odds of winning depend upon the number of entrants. Winner will be chosen at random and contacted thru the email address left in the comment. One entry per person. Giveaway open to residents of the United States.
Buying used online was my best stratehy when I was in college!
I have purchased MUCH less expensive, earlier editions of a required textbook (with the OK from professor.) I remember one book I snagged for a mere $3!
I used to check textbooks out from college library. They always have copies. Just renewed through semester. I also like the website "Frugal Black Man's Guide", funny and interesting. Just needs to update more.
Joseph
My frugal daughter is strategizing book buying just like everything else in her first year. She is a champ at using social media to reach out and borrow books from others on campus in lieu of buying books-she has loaned out books this semester in kind.
Good for her! Personally, I think it's the student's responsibility. Joshua is young but I'm betting he can maneuver through the web sites a lot better than I can. I agree about selling them back- I kept some of my textbooks and except for my English comp, what a waste!
Copies of textbooks are usually available in the college library to borrow and use in the library
If they're not, ask your prof if she can put them on reserve for the class. I started doing this when a student asked me to. (I don't need the gift card, just commenting.)
The best tip I have is to ask someone who has taken the class. Someone I barely knew asked me, for her friend, if I would give away my used book (and its CD). It was a book I had planned to keep, because it had been so helpful and very expensive. I agreed simply because I didn't know how to say no....and regretted it for several years. I eventually felt better about it because I realized I probably wouldn't have used it again--it's just not in my nature. (And then I would've definitely regretted not giving it to her!) I did have a friend who always kept her used books that had been for classes in her major, and my husband did the same thing. (WE have purged some of his, but we have both also kept and used some!) So the moral of the story is, before selling (or giving away) a used book, consider whether you will use it again. (If someone asks you, respond with, "Can I take some time to think about it? I'm thinking of keeping this one. Call me on Monday and I'll let you know.")
My sons occasionally used a book that they got at the college library. Sometimes, it was a reference book and sometimes they could check it out.
My daughter starts college in the fall, so no hints yet. Winning the gift card would be a start at saving money on books, though!
I often just xeroxed books if only specific chapters or articles were to be used in class. K
With the extremely high cost of textbooks, I'm amazed more students don't pirate them.
Yeah for real! My husband has found pirated copies in our recycling center's book bin. Given that this is a university town with another just over the border, I would think there would be a whole lot more.
My tip: talk so enthusiastically about your intended major that your older sister decides to major in an almost identical program - then you can buy her books at the buy-back price or share books if you happen to be in the same classes (I think we took four or five classes together after we had the first one by accident and discovered how fun it was.)
Honestly, I think you mentioned all the tips I know of! Thankfully when my husband went to school he had a stipend from the VA and we didn't have to buy any books with our own money. Thanks for the giveaway 🙂
I have an awesome tip, but it will likely only apply to those taking an English class (I was an English major)! If you have novels or memoirs to get, just pick them up at the library (the one in your college town, but check on campus, too) instead. I would sometimes need to buy 30 or 40 books for my literature classes, but even used that felt like a lot of money. The library in town often had those same books donated, so I just went and rented them at the library when it was time to read it for class! So helpful and cheap. One year I only had to spend $10 on books because the library had everything except 1 copy I needed.
This is my tip also. Shakespear, Voltaire and Hobbes dont change year to year. I always used the city library if possible. Made an American History/ poli science major books cheap.
My best tip is to by used, online. I have gotten what look like brand new books for major discounts. I have a son starting college in the fall and could really use a gift card for books!
The only other idea - use the college library! I was in anatomy, and there was an old anatomy textbook at the library. Guess what - the anatomy of a cat hasn't changed. I used the old edition and did just fine!
i always price checked amazon vs ebay, but my daughter has had good luck with getting used books at her college. These days, they have facebook group for all their college activities so all they have to do is put their request "out there" . Vastly different from our old "index card on bulletin board" method from years ago!
LOL! I remember the index card days!
If you're on the college campus and you don't think you'll be using the book frequently, using the library's copy and photocopying anything you'll need to reference more frequently can be a frugal way to go.
If it's a novel, then I would look for it used. Textbooks I would sometimes share with a close friend. Built in study group!
Buying used, borrowing and renting will save you lots of money.
When I was in college all of the textbooks were available as reference materials in the library. I could copy relavent sections for just a few dollars. I remember doing this with a very short ethnography that cost $25 in the book store.
You can sometimes get long term library loans for textbooks. Also some sororities/fraternities have text books if you happen to belong to one.
It's so great to hear about other options than just buying from the college bookstore. I always looked for used books when I was in college 25 years ago, but there are so many other choices for my son, who will start in the fall!
Mine is to check the library. If it's required reading, but not an actual textbook, you might be able to keep it long enough by checking it out and renewing it.
My husband, who is finishing his college degree, is often able to buy books from classmates who have just finished the class. Also, craigslist!
I'd love to have the gift card.
I think you covered it very well. I would add that not waiting until the last minute gives you more choices. Also, check prices on Amazon and other places.
I would love to win a giftcard!
My best tip would be to try and get your books as early as possible... I ordered a used book online for my daughter and even though I ordered the correct ISBN, they sent the wrong one (sooo close, but teacher wouldn't accept this version). Online store was good about refunding, but then we had to scramble to find the right one. Thanks for this post and giveaway!
I would check with others who have taken the class to see if the book is actually necessary. There were at least 2 or 3 classes I took where I didn't even use the textbook!
My son's technical school asks the professors to use the oldest edition they can to help the kids save money so they don't have to buy brand new all the time.. Other sites to look for textbooks include Chegg and Alibris. I hadn't even thought of B & N before, but will check them out for our other son who starts college next fall. Thanks Kristen!
The library! Often school libraries will have the text on hold (so no one can take it) so you can study for free at the library OR you can take the book out (usually the late fees are cheaper than buying the book).
I don't have any great tips, but I'd love that gift card!
Excellent tips everyone! I don't have anything to add (everyone pretty much said what I would have said), so I'll just make my pitch for the gift card ;p
We've had very good luck buying used on-line and then selling the book on-line after the class ended.
To save money on textbooks AND make sure you don't fall behind in your classes, I'd recommend starting your book-buying as early as possible (at least a few weeks before the new term starts). You can either stop by or call the campus bookstore to see what books are required, since instructors/departments often start putting in book orders for the next term about halfway through the term before it starts, or you can just send an e-mail to your instructor, whose name should be listed when you sign up for your classes, and ask.
What you don't want to do is wait until the syllabus is given out on the first day to start bargain-shopping for books, because you will almost certainly find the cheapest deals online, and that often means it will take at least a week, sometimes more, to get a used book. You do not want to go a week or two of taking a class without the required book if at all possible.
That's why I'd also really, really caution against using financial aid to pay for books. I get it can sometimes be unavoidable, and that sometimes you can't find cheaper used books, but sometimes there are delays in financial aid disbursements that can end up with students not receiving funds for 2-3 weeks. Not having a required textbook for the first 2-3 weeks of a semester is setting the student up for failure.
So, yeah: start book shopping as early as possible. I teach college courses, and I can assure you that instructors do not mind a bit if students who are registered for their course for the upcoming term ask what the required books are. Ordering a book from an online used bookstore can be a great option, but not if it's already the second day of the semester, because you probably won't have it for 7-10 days, at best.
Thinking ahead is a strategy that saves money in so many arenas, isn't it? Doing things last-minute often means paying more.
I had to pay for books with financial aid multiple times- not fun but was able to make it work. I would make a point of talking to my professors ASAP and just laying it out that financial aid was late, I didn't have some/all my books yet and what readings were priority for the next few weeks until I had books. Pretty much always I was told to ignore the supplemental readings and usually they had a previous edition of the books either to borrow or photocopy in their office. I would make a point of returning whatever I had borrowed and if someone forgot to bring a book to class I would nearly always share. Yes, I was that one who always had extra pens, notebooks, chargers, whatever.
All great tips! I would love to win the gift card!
Buying online was my biggest saver! It's not always possible for every class but definitely worth checking into as it works for a majority. Would love a gift card
Using a prior edition can save you tons! It takes some leg work to compare the pages so you read the right stuff but once you do that, it's easy street!
When I was in college, I always tried to buy used and re-sell. My college age son now does the same thing.
This isn't really a tip for saving money, but was a way I made the cost of textbooks hurt less. In college I was a waitress. I would save the change portion of any tip I received in a big jar. Then at the start of each semester I would cash the jar in and use that money for my textbooks. Every once in a while it covered the entire cost. When it didn't, it at least covered a majority of the cost. It was a great way to save money that didn't really feel like I was saving.
Oh and I sometimes would share textbooks with my friend as we were the same major.
For my own college textbooks I would always buy online at http://www.abebooks.com - they have international editions and softcovers for 30% of the price.
We have used Abe Books and also Book depository. My middle child did two degrees simultaneously. The costs were huge. We are in Australia so I think there may be differences but I would advise you to start early and search well.
Definitely buy used! I did that as much as I could in college and saved a ton.
Both of my daughters that went to college bought used online, bought used at college bookstore and rented some books. Great post! Thanks for the chance to win!
Thanks for the great tips! 🙂 I will have a college bound son in 2 yrs. I don't have any tips at this time, but would love to have the gift card! 🙂
My husband would check out his textbooks from our school's library. I wish I knew this was an option while I was in school, it would have saved me so much!
My daughter's senior year, she shared 3 textbooks with a friend. They were the same major and were in the same class. They got the books used and split the cost. They studied most of the time together anyway.
My husband didn't buy a book he needed for his English class. The collage library had a copy that could not be loaned out, it had to remain in the library. He would just go read it there and take notes in a notebook. He got an A in the class.
I would love the gift card!
You can often buy used copies from friends or other students who have taken the class last semester if you do some networking (online, in person, or maybe post a flyer in a place where people will see it with a list of the books you want to buy). You can also ask the professor if they would put a copy of the textbook on reserve in the library for the class to use, and then either use it there or make copies of pages to use at home.
Trade books with people taking the same courses at different times.
I didn't know Barnes and Noble offered all of that! We'd use that gift card!
My children aren't college-age yet, but when I was in college, I was all about getting that $2 back for a book I paid $50 for! 🙂 Thanks for the chance to win the gift card!! 🙂
Oh yes, that is so frustrating.
Surprisingly enough, though, the bookstore at Joshua's school has given us really fair prices when we've sold back our books. I can't complain!
All of my kids went to a college where they rent their textbooks! There are only a couple in Wisconsin but it is a great program if you can find one-yeah UW Whitewater!!
I've been selling my books on Amazon. Thank you!
Try to find a "major buddy", someone with the same major as you. Then mirror their core curriculum, whatever you take 1st semester they take 2nd and vice versa. Professors don't generally change textbook requirements within the same school year. Go in with your buddy and buy as many of the books as you can used and divide the cost then sell the books after the classes and divide the cash you get back. I did this for 3 years of college and saved a ton so did my major buddy 🙂
This is so old school, but.....put a flyer up on bulletin boards around school saying you are looking to be xxxx books used.
My son will be starting college next year so I have no tips. Thank you so much for this article and the chance to win!
When I was in college, I would ask my friends if the professor actually used the book. If they didn't, I opted not to buy the book at all. If they used it a little, I could always go to the library and do my homework at the reference desk for free!
Would love the gift card.
My kids too young for college right now...
I used to be able to turn in my previous semester's textbooks for store credit.
I also check all venues online, including ebay, for used versions. Asking the prof is a good idea, although many profs are the authors of the textbooks. 🙂
The library hold desk was my friend! It worked great and made me use my time efficiently.
I always checked online to see if any of my books were available via PDF or digital copy first. I lucked out on some free books when I took an English literature class because many of the books were considered "classics" and available for free download!
Where I went to college -- a group of students ingeniously came up with the idea of creating a Facebook group for buying and selling textbooks. Once a semester was over, a student would post a book with the professor and class for students going to take the class the next semester. I don't think the campus bookstore liked it too much...but it created a horde of frugal college students. The professors even became aware of the ongoings and would make sure to tell current students if the book would translate to the next semester or if they were changing things up.
My husband searches online and buys the best deal and has them delivered to daughter's dorm.....selling them after is more work, but we usually use ebay.
Great ideas! I'd love a gift card as we're still in the homeschool book buying stage.
My daughter rents most of her college textbooks.
I think I saw this mentioned above~ depending on the situation, you could share a text book. My husband went to a smaller Christian college and was able to do this. Otherwise, the best tip is buy used and sell when you're done. Thank goodness there are so many options now. I've seen college bookstore prices and Yikes!
My two college girls also sell/buy their books on a Facebook page set-up by the students. Especially helpful when it is a school-specific class where the book may not be widely available used. By the way - the girls at the college also have a FB clothes consignment page that works well too!
Some professors don't use the book even though there is one listed for the class. You can usually rent the book from Amazon if you need it.
I'm afraid I wasn't very frugal with my textbook expenses in college. I did try to sell them back at the end of each semester but official college bookstore payback amounts are rediculously low so I didn't get much back. Your tips sound great!
Thanks for the giveaway opportunity!
Sometimes there are ebooks that are cheaper.
love Barnes & Noble! would love to win to help pay for books as we start to prepare for our first homeschooling year 🙂
Our son, who is studying at a private university, was smart enough to find a friend who is one year ahead of him in the same program (which has very few students in it). They've made an arrangement that the older student will sell/give her books to our son! It's worked out great. She has also been very helpful in letting our son know which books he REALLY needs and which ones are on the list but will never get opened!
My cheap textbook tip is to know if you qualify for access to other universities in your area. As you go forward in your college career the textbooks become less textbook and more regular book, especially if you are a liberal arts major. If you are taking a civil war history course, all of the books will be available at other college libraries.
My college roommate and I would share a single textbook for classes that weren't as intense. This would not work for classes like chemistry or biology but did for others.
When homeschooling , I always looked for used books both online and at yard/garage sales!! I am now an "empty nester" , but, LOVE books!!
I always tried to buy the book from a friend. The friend would get more money from me than the bookstore would give her, and I'd pay less than the bookstore! Win, win!
I didn't know that Barnes and Noble sold/buys college textbooks! That's great to know as my son will be college-bound soon. He often receives B&N gift cards so that will be a great help, too. Thanks for this post ~ lots of great tips!
Also check inter-library loan. My daughter needed a book for a small class that was priced at $150! She mentioned to one of her friends that this was going to be a problem for her budget. They suggested going to the campus library and asking to borrow it. The library didn't have it but they borrowed it from another university. It had a 16 week loan with up to 2 renewals. Didn't cost a penny! And i'd love to win the gift card!
Make sure to check your local library for books. Sometimes they have text books that can be used for school - especially those for literature and english. And for those in grade school and high school that are required to have certain books for classes, ask parents of older children if they still have their copies and would be willing to sell / pass on. I know with my kids I am hanging on to those books to pass on.
Make friends with someone in your program a year or two ahead and buy their used books when applicable.
Also, check the school library for textbooks that can be checked out for the semester.
Maus is such a good book. I wouldn't want to sell my copy (and I read it again very regularly). Otherwise I agree with you, university books are to be sold or given, they are of no use in the professional world and clutter the house. I just think that the illustration would be my exception
It's an obvious one, but my strategy was always to start searching the day I got my book lists. I got a lot of books from ebay and other discount websites and if I started looking right away, I could buy the cheaper book that would take longer to arrive.
My job is making me go back to school after 14 years of being there, so all the tips to save money on books, I could use! The gift card would help with books too!
Use hand me downs. Our kids are very close in age. We bought a used textbook for $3 for a GE class, and all 3 kids used that same book for that college class with the same professor, 3 different years. It was an Economics class and the professor didn't mind the studens using an older edition.Two of our kids took the class while they were in high school, so the class itself was totally free for them. Savings all around!
I would love the gift card!
My tip for saving money on books is to buy used through Amazon or check the rates on http://www.addall.com, which compares prices at different bookstores and presents all the costs on one page.
Though I have been forced by my school to pay a flat fee for the digital editions of my textbooks, my brain still demands a paper copy so I've spent the last three years renting textbooks. I usually open up Barnes & Nobel, Amazon, and CampusBookRental (I think, it's been a while since I rented from that one), and pic the best price. My current books are from Barnes & Nobel. My brain love having a paper copy of the books and as soon as the term is over I box up the books and drop them at the UPS store.
I also deduct the cost of books from my taxes which can generate a nice return.
I almost hate to say this but it's true. After spending so much money on books in the first few years of school and sometimes the prof wouldn't use the book I started to wait to buy my books. I would go to class for a week or two and check the syllabus etc. to see if we were really going to use the book. If we were but it was only for a limited number of times, I would check the college library (before internet) and use it there or sometimes I wouldn't end up needing the book at all. Once in a while we could get away with sharing the books with friends.
I always had used textbooks and when I was done would re-sell them to purchase next semester's books.
Selling books onine is so easy. I sold books from grad school ten years later and those books brought a nice figure. I am sure students picked them up for research papers as these authors were pioneers in my field of study.
It's been too long since I had to buy textbooks, so I just want the gift card. To buy regular books. Yum!
If you are taking the same class as a friend but on a different day/time, share the book! Then just get together to study for the test.
My best tip when buying used online is that the lowest price seller is not always the best idea. Check seller reviews. You want to receive the book & not deal with hassles if the book never comes or is not right. Also, don't forget to see if your university library has an ebook version. Many of the ebook's that universities purchase can be downloaded as PDF files and/or you can print the chapters you need to read.
I've used a lot of the techniques you mentioned. And can't think of anything sweeter than a B&N gift card!
To save on books, I usually buy used -- as so many others have mentioned! -- or rent the book from Barnes and Noble or Amazon. However, the toughest books I've found to do this with are specialized science textbooks where the newest edition is necessary.
Textbooks are one of the hardest costs to swallow, even though they're a fraction of the cost of college, because they come "last minute" and are often so much higher than anticipated. So planning ahead is probably the best tip to save money!! 🙂
Thank you for sponsoring this giveaway!
buying online was always the best way to go, in my experience. also if you have a friend/roommate in the same class, consider buying the books together and sharing them.
as a librarian at a college, i will say that libraries will sometimes have the books but if it's a textbook textbook (and not just a book used in a class), most libraries in my experience do not purchase textbooks because editions change so often. also, be careful when copying portions (or all) of a book -- that's technically copyright violation.
I work at a college so this is right up my alley!! See if the book is available at the library or try to inter-library loan it from another. You would be amazed at how many books you can find through a college library. I work for a state institution, so my library has access to EVERY library in the state. I NEVER bought a book in graduate school after I realized I could inter-library loan everything. Also, find a friend who is taking the class: see if they want to share the cost. Instant study mate!
My best tip is to sell ASAP at the end of the semester. Before the exam is preferable, but if you need it to study for the exam, take it with you and as soon as you walk out of the exam, go right to one of those kiosks on campus that buy books back from students (or straight to the nearest campus book store) and sell it then. If you wait a few days after that exam is over, they will be offering you only $3 for it or some stupid amount (because by then they already have plenty of them). As for buying, I always compared prices between the campus book store, the other "college" bookstores in my town, and online book sellers (sometimes even e-versions, if available, were a great price and then you don't have to carry anything around!). If you know anyone who has just taken the class you need the book for, ask them if they have sold the book yet and maybe you can purchase from them. Or, depending on the situation and the nature of the class, you could get away with buying/borrowing someones notes instead of getting a textbook. I took VERY extensive notes for a history class once that was notorious for being difficult to pass.... an acquaintance of mine borrowed them to use when she took it the next semester and she ended up only having to purchase 1 of the 5 (!!!) required books for the course because she used my notes.
Would love a B&N gift card. I graduated 5 years ago so I don't need it for textbooks but I do LOTS of reading for pleasure now. 🙂
Renting books is a wonderful option but remember...if you rent a book, be sure to return it on time - it's VERY expensive if you don't! My daughter learned the hard way.
I don't have any tips, but I would like the gift card! 🙂 My husband is back in school now.
This post and the comments include all of my best tips, so I've forwarded to my family and friends with soon-to-be college freshmen. I'll be sure to pass on the gift card too if I happen to win!
Half.com is a great resource. I know Kristen has mentioned it before, but +1 for them.
Renting on Amazon is a great option. It's also a good idea to make sure the book will actually be used. There were several books I bought in college just to find out that we weren't actually going to use them. Some books might get used but just briefly so it might be worthwhile to see about borrowing the book from someone or checking the library. Also, our library does something called inter-library loans from libraries all over the country, so you might look into that as well for a book that will only be briefly used.
Would love the gift card.
When I went back to school for my masters I used a variety of book saving strategies. I rented, bought used and bought online versions of books. Checking the library is a great idea too.
Science and Math textbooks with problems are often the ones that change edition to edition, but sometimes they don't even change all of the problems, they just renumber them. One semester when I didn't have money, I bought an older edition with the same text and my friend let me look through the back of her chapter to see what the problems were numbered in the older edition.
Definitely buying online. But also sometimes better to buy new if heavily used and or marked up.
I saved a ton of money buying used textbooks from Amazon during college. I'd also trade textbooks with my friends in college--we'd take classes that we would sign up for during opposite semesters and the cost evened out.
I spoke to a few of my professors who wanted us to buy a BRAND NEW $80 book (used books were not an option). I was able to convince them to scan the book's chapters and have them available on Blackboard for us to read instead of everyone buying expensive books.
I found a Facebook group dedicated to selling textbooks between students at my school. I sold several of my textbooks with virtually no effort, I just watched for posts from people who were looking for them!
I sure wish I'd have known of these tips when my daughter was in college! The books were so expensive!
All great ideas and suggestions. Would love to win the gift card!
You can also make money by renting out a text book. If you do end up having to buy a new text book for a class instead of selling it consider renting it out. If it is a new edition chances are it will be used for several semesters after you, and there will not be alot of used books out there. You can rent for almost as much as you would sell it for and you can do it multiple times. I also used the campus online garage sale to buy and sell my textbooks.
I just want the gift card.
never had to buy textbooks but these sound very good
I saved on college textbooks by buying used whenever possible and selling when the semester ended... But there are many more options now than when I was in school!!!
We are a few years from having to purchase college textbooks, so it is good to start thinking about it. While I've seen Barnes & Noble have textbooks for sale I wasn't sure how good a price they'd have compared to other places. This is a good reminder to be creative and bold, when looking to purchase these textbooks.
Definitely check out the online swap sites, in particularly the most commonly known ones - as you said if you search by the ISBN, you can fine the edition needs (in particular if you are taking literature courses), and get a very decent edition for the cost of media mail postage and trading non-college required books you are ready to pass on!
My husband is a college professor and tries to shop around for the best price for the books he requires for his students. He shares his findings with his students. Hopefully, others professors out there do the same. Ask - they may know some great tips.
If you really want to save money on textbooks, I suggest avoiding science classes and majoring in something liberal arts/humanities. Whether that is really a good financial decision in the long run is up for debate...
We are just learning these tips with my stepson now in the community college so these tips are great.....and the gift card would be fantastic! My best tip 20 years ago when I was in college was to get in line and be the first to sell your books back because they would only take so many...then refuse the rest once they had enough.
Good information from B & N about their book selling business. I still get shocked over the price of textbooks. Parents/students need all these good tips. Thank you.
Book sharing! A local friend or roommate may need the same book.
Rent or buy used and resell when done.
I have bought and sold books on half.com Would love a gift card!
There are some really good tips here in the post and the comments. I have nothing to add but want a chance to win the gift card because I love books!
I was fortunate enough to attend a university that cataloged most textbooks in the library. With my syllabus in hand, Saturday morning reading was my best pal! I would love a B&N gift card!
Shop early and shop around. If you wait until the last minute, you will have fewer options.
Definitely buy used. I actually like books that already have highlighting and notes in them.
A $100 gift card would be groovy!
I started to just use half.com, but have found way cheaper books by expanding it to Googling the IBN code. BN.com has been great. I still sell via half.com though. I guess just because I am used to that process
Yes to all of your tips, Kristin! I have a college freshman & everything you say rings true.
Also, when you're renting a book and need to mail the book back, keep your shipping materials tucked away and print a return label at the end of the semester for a (fairly) quick and simple return to avoid extra charges for delayed returns. 🙂
Barnes & Nobles for the win. My daughter would love $100 to help with her textbooks this semester as she is paying for it out of pocket!
Thanks for the tips! The most expensive books my daughter has had to buy are the ones written by the professor in the class, some that have just published and are not yet in libraries, Amazon, etc. I know that she has done some book sharing with friends, but I'll check with her if she knows about all these other options from B&N, some are new to me. Definitely could use the gift card!
Oh, I just want the gift card. Things have changed for the better since my college days. My only option was used from other students, useless if the book was changed, or the (very expensive) college bookstore.
Once you are into a major or a grad program, you'll probably know most of your classmates. Sharing textbooks cuts the cost in half. This is especially easy if you become roommates. 🙂
One more thought. Order early if you are buying used. The best deals will be snagged up before a semester starts. The half.com/Amazon/etc. sellers that are charging more and the books in bad condition are often what's left a week or two into the semester.
I had no idea B&N sold used textbooks - that's great!
If you are going to buy used, buy early for the best (i.e. cleanest, least marked up) selection.
International books are also an option. It's the same content but soft cover and much cheaper although sometimes they are black and white. I also like ebooks because it's much easier to carry around and always have when you want to study. I know a lot of students illegally download PDFs but you can also rent ebooks for a semester.
If the text is for a common course, ask around to see whether someone you know has already taken it and whether you can buy or borrow from him. Check half.com or other online sites. Check my favorite used bookstore: Powell's.com.
My sons have found in some of their more technical classes (engineering and computer science) that the books listed as required often aren't used. It's worth talking to someone who has already taken the class or going to the first couple of classes to see if the book is really going to be necessary.
I used to get to the campus bookstore as early as possible to get the used books. But even then, so expensive, sheesh! These are great tips.
I've been out of college too long to have tips, but I sure appreciate yours, Kristen!
This may not work for everyone, but I've shared textbooks with other responsible friends. One was for a class where the teacher didn't utilize the book much, but assigned homework from it (statistics) and the other was when I was waiting for my book to arrive (I chose the cheapest and slowest shipping option). This only works if both parties are good about communication and follow through with book exchanges.
Sometimes the college library or the college itself has a forum or message board for students to buy and sell their books - I used something like that a couple of times. I almost always bought used and then sold them again at the end of the class - other than the books that were in my major.
I don't know if this is a tip for buying, but I had classes where the professor used the book once or not at all! I would talk to someone who has taken the class from that professor and see if the book is even needed.
My tip will only be applicable to a very small portion, but it's definitely out-of-the-box! My town has a recycling center with a huge book bin where people offload what they don't want and are free to take what they do want. Since it's a university town, there are often *tons* of textbooks there at the ends of semesters. Obviously this is not a fool-proof method, but if you have one in your town and can drop by without going out of your way, check it out. It's amazing what you find, and often in pristine condition.
I wish I had a tip, but things have changed since I went to college! 😉 However, I'd sure love the gift card!
Something that worked for me was sharing and/or selling between students in the same program taking the same classes.
Our son is a freshman this year. He's done a combination of buying online from several placer, buying from the college used-book Facebook page, and renting or loaning books out himself from last semester. He did have to buy a few from the college bookstore, and they were by far the most expensive. Lots of great tips here!
I second the asking friends who are in a similar major, especially those a year or two above.
Always purchased used if possible when I was in college.
My best tip would be to not buy textbooks right away. Many classes may have a textbook listed, but the textbook never actually gets used or is needed (especially now that most professors teach using slides). Ask former students or go to the first class (or two) and see if the textbooks will actually be needed or used before purchasing.
I bought used online and if a friend had the same class as me, we'd share a book!
I don't really have any additional tips to share, but I'd love to win the gift card! Can we count that as my tip? Subscribe to awesome blogs that offer random $100 giveaways!
I'd love the gift card! I went to college back before internet was an option so we had to use the bookstore, the library, or person-to-person sales to get our books. Sadly, in many of my courses, the textbooks changed EVERY semester, thus making the ones for the semester just completed not sellable, and giving the next semester's students no option but to buy new. I tried the library, but someone would be using it every time I went, or, in 95% of the cases, it wasn't there to start with. I had to buy brand new books far too often, and to make matters worse, one of them was stolen out of my bag right beside me as I studied. I'm glad students have more options these days!
One semester I didn't even buy one of my textbooks - the library had a copy on reserve for the class, so I just used it twice a week in the library!
I wish I would have known these tips when I was in college! I always bought from the book store, but tried to buy used!
I always buy used textbooks to save.
Would love to have the gift card!
When I was in a masters program on-line, we would advertise our books from other classes we were taking in the chat forum. Inevitably, we were not all taking the same classes the same semester and there was much room for passing books to one another. Sometimes a trade worked better than buying or selling! Just a suggestion!
I have a college freshman, and we've gone the route of searching on the internet, price matching with the college's bookstore, and renting. And yes, I advocate waiting until the first day of classes to buy. Thanks for the chance to win, Kristen!
Thanks for the tips, I could sure use this gift card.
My son bought the international version of some books he found on the internet. They were 80 per cent cheaper than the U. S. Version.
My husband and I took a few of the same classes in college, some were the same section, others were not. When we needed the same books, we just bought one and shared it. This same idea could carry over to a friend, roommate, or classmate. Split the cost of the book and arrange a schedule as to when each of you will use the book. It also gives you a built-in study buddy 🙂
Renting on Amazon is good too. Also, I was a lot and history double major so lots of novels. Thrift stores, half price books, and Amazon were my go to!
Our kids are all out of college but I'd sure like the gift card! Thanks!
Things have changed since I have gone to college but I work with college students and I find they rent books and find books online.
The best tip is for students to push their professors to use Open Educational Resources rather than traditional textbooks. There are more and more high quality textbooks written by faculty, but open licensed so that anyone can have free access to them--this is the best known collection out of Rice University https://openstax.org/. There's a mandate in the state of MA for all public institutions to make their Gen Ed requirements Open Access, and we in RI have a push from the governor to try to do the same.
It requires work on the part of the professors, but they should be getting pressure from the students who are paying upwards of $1300/year just for textbooks, as well as from college presidents and provosts.
Partner up with others who are in the same degree program. If you're in separate sections of a course, often one textbook can be shared with a little coordination
I work at a college library and often, we have those textbooks available to be checked out. It may not be the most current edition but most times, the updated editions are not much different from the editions we have. If the item is not available, it can often be obtained through interlibrary loan from another library.
Instructors may also have volumes to loan students if they are asked. Textbook sales companies give instructors copies so that the instructors will review them and/or use them in their classes which generates sales of the book.
Cheggs is another rental company that will ship both ways free.
In my college days (back in the Dark Ages!), I just tried to buy used books if at all possible. I preferred buying used even at that young age. Thank you for the opportunity for the gift card, Kristen!
My son usually started with checking for others that took the class then went searching for the textbooks on half.com.
My son can get some online books for free. He searches the web and can find the entire book online. Go figure.
If he needs to buy one, he looks at Amazon. He has a student discount (50% off) for Amazon Prime and gets the books in 2 days. COOL. Even used books.
We have looked at Abe Books and ebay for purchases as well.
Please check out the college online scholarships page!!! There may be a scholarship for books that anyone can apply to!
If selling books is needed, then try to sell at the school or on Ebay. Selling on Amazon will get you Amazon credit and he has gotten way more in credit than he could have gotten in cash from other websites. Of course, the credit is for buying stuff at Amazon. Hey, how about a book?
Make friends with other students in your major. They'll have previously taken classes that you're signed up for and vice versa. You can sell books to each other for much cheaper than the bookstore prices.
Also, consider which textbooks you really do need to keep. My husband is an engineer, and he kept nearly all his books, even the undergrad math and science textbooks. Looking back, it would have been a better decision to go ahead and sell those back at the end of each semester. He could have gotten at least some money back. Right now they just contribute to clutter, and they're pretty much worthless to try to sell. Math hasn't changed, but no one wants to buy a ten year old calculus book. My husband thought he may need them "for reference" but he hasn't cracked one open in years.
One Semester I Saved us right at 2,000 by buy books on half.com, amazon, e -bay. Once I get a list of books an isbn I pull up all websites and compare prices. This was a seven years ago when my husband was in college and renting wasn't an option yet.
When I first started college I paid full price for my textbooks until I realized you could rent and the cheapest way to obtain the books was renting them mainly. Now sometimes you could buy used and leaflet instead of hardcopy in the bookstore and that was cheap.
I find used books stores are the best for buying and selling! LCD
B&N has the larger selection
I am currently a sophomore in college and one tip I have is to join a Buy, Sell, Trade Facebook group in your area especially if there is one just for textbooks. I bought two books this semester using that and got them for cheaper and a student was able to profit off of selling it instead of a big company. Not only that, but the students are much nicer and willing to negotiate more than a company would.
I would suggest selling any books you know you won't need ASAP. Science texts in particular become outdated quickly. Ask yourself, in the internet age, will I ever go back to this textbook again or will I research online?
Don't delay. As soon as you get the info on what books are needed, act quickly. Used books sell out much quicker than the new versions. Delay = more expense!
I'm a huge proponent of selling books and I also love using the ebook version, if available.
My kids are not yet old enough for college. But I love Barnes & Noble and would love the gift card!
Sometimes kindle books are free! We'd love a gift card. 🙂
Thanks for your helpful tips! We have saved money in the past purchasing homeschool curriculum and college textbooks at different online sites. Also, it is a bonus to sell used curriculum and books online that won't be used anymore! (Saving up for other books!)
my son save $200 buying a text book from Amazon that had been printed for 3rd world countries. Basically it was not in color and the binding was a soft cover not a hard cover. Totally stay away from the college bookstore if you can. We've used all your tips!
I generally check ISBN's on Amazon and Half.com, but a lot of the bookstores price match Amazon now. We always try to buy used, but many of the professors are using books that require an access code, which means you can't buy used and can't sell.
I'd love to win the gift card. I have a son who will be entering college in the next couple of years and I can use all the tips your readers are willing to give!
You shared some great tips! My daughter has borrowed textbooks from her classmates and we also purchase used books from eBay. There was a CD ($40 new) on the list but we held off and, it turns out, it's not even needed. So, definitely worth checking in with the instructor.
I've been out of college for 40 years, my kids are finished, and now we have grandchildren starting. I'll be sure to pass-on this information to their families. I'd love a gift card.
We make every attempt to rent books for my daughter before we considering buying.
My son was an English major & had to read many different pieces of literature. Sometimes he got a book at the school or local library, but often there was a lot of competition for the books, because they had to be read in a short time frame. He was more successful finding free ebooks (online or through the library) to read on his Kindle; if you don't have a Kindle, there is an app for your computer.
Also check textbookrentals.com, half.com & chef.com for rentals.
Sorry. Autocorrect (grr!). It's chegg.com.
I have had good luck with used books on Amazon, just be careful with 3rd party sellers regarding shipping times. We have had some books take a very long time to arrive.
I had my Mom look at my hometown local library for some of my books and I was able to take then out for a whole semester.
share with a friend!
Textbook rental always worked for me.
It has been a few years since I have graduated, but I was able to find some on half.com. If I was super lucky I could find it at the library! lol
I don't want the gift card, but I want to just say what a wonderful and powerful book "Maus" is. Happy to see that it's being used in a college setting.
Wish I had these tips we I was in college (early '90's) ! One way I saved $$ on my books was my roommate and I had the same class but at different times so we split the cost of the book ( bought it used too ). Thanks for the opportunity for the gift card.
I would use books from the library sometimes or just not buy them if they were optional. Sometimes older versions work fine too. And most importantly, sell them the second you can because if you wait a few months they will often go drastically down in the amount you can get back for them.
You fairly covered everything. I will say talk to your professor. Emma needed a book that was out of print and would cost $400.00 (!) so she talked to her professor and he is making copies of the chapters they are covering for her. She is also a Chegg user. They rent books for super cheap and make it easy to retuwhen finished for the semester.
My tip (at least this worked 15 years ago when I was in college!): I would partner up with a friend who was also in the same class- we would buy the book together and each use it! Also, I would note- saving for college books throughout the year works so much better than trying to pay for it all in one lump sum.
This certainly won't work for every class, but one semester I had a lot of computer programming classes with new edition and expensive books. A friend was in most of those classes with me and he and I shared books that semester. It required a little bit of planning for who would use it when and forced me to not procrastinate, but we were both involved in athletics and had to plan ahead anyways. So we each paid for half of the book and it made a huge difference in our cost for that semester!
When I was in nursing school, our textbooks were NUMEROUS and very expensive! We would sometimes share/trade books with friends/classmates if they were taking certain classes first semester and others of us second semester. This worked great!
Check used bookstores in the campus area. Once I needed a particular biography for a history class. Because it was old and out of print it was going to be $15 but I snagged it across the street from school for .50.
Half.com used to be a great site to buy and sell text books. Also check out paperbackswap.com, you might get lucky and find one for free.
It has been quite a few years since I have had to buy text books so I don't have any great tips. I am glad that there are so many options these days for getting them though. Back when I was in college, the only options were the college bookstore, trading books with your dorm mates, or selling them via the college bulletin board method.
Several people have mentioned checking the library at the college or university for copies on reserve and older editions in the regular collection.
If you're taking several classes that are very closely related or are different levels, check with the professor before selling the books from the pervious class just in case the later ones use the same ones. I used the same score anthology, style guide, and dictionary for many of my music classes. I actually used the score anthology and style guide all the way through grad school too.
I am going back to school (after being out for many, many years!!) to obtain my Masters in Counseling. I was waitlisted for my first class, and was accepted the day before the class started. I will definitely be able to start earlier next time, but under time constraints (needed to study for first quiz right away), I ended up renting the book online from the college book store for $60, but better than the $125 book version!!
You mentioned most of my favorite tips, but I also shared text books with classmates when I was in college. This was super helpful in splitting the costs to save money.
My best tip is to look online for people selling their old books at really great prices. You definitely do not need to buy new.
Buying earlier editions was my go to in college, and even now as a college professor I sometimes but earlier editions to save money!!
When I was in college, I shared a few textbooks with a friend. Thanks for all your great posts! Chance for a $100 giftcard? THANKS Frugal Girl and Barnes & Noble!!!
Often the universities have notice boards that I have been very successful both buying and selling textbooks
Sometimes I've been able to check out books for the whole quarter (yes, I go to one of the colleges still on quarters) from the public library in the city.
I also like renting on Amazon; some books I've been able to rent for like $20.
I always check the library, including inter-library loan, first.
Thanks for a chance to win a gift card!
Check the University Library, they have lots of reference books available, especially literature, history etc.
It's been 14 years since I finished nursing school (what!!), and my kids aren't in school yet, so I have no advice. â€â™€ï¸ But that gift card sounds great!
That was not the emoji I clicked on...I have no idea why it showed up that way
Would love to win! A few tips:
(1) Sometimes it's cheaper to buy an electronic version. I always wanted the hard copy, but I know people who did this.
(2) The college library often has 2-4 copies of every textbook. Especially if you're not sure if you're going to stay in the class, you might want to try this option. Sometimes they are only for reference use while in the library. I had one broke classmate who just made copies of the pages we needed, as they were assigned. It was an advanced foreign language class, so the book was not a massive book. (Assuming making copies for personal use are not a copyright violation, etc)
(3) Check sources that are not specifically textbook stores. I didn't know Barnes & Noble had textbooks, but I have sometimes gotten great deals on required books that I considered textbooks but were somehow available at regular bookstores, as well.
Shop around online and at hometown libraries.
I would love a gift card!
We buy our books used. We also buy e-books when possible.
Swap sites are a great option!
Renting is often available through the college bookstore as well. I use Fetchbook.com to do a quick search and compare of pricing. We rent lots through Amazon with the student discounted Prime membership- it's a great option!
We've also rented used books and purchased online codes separately twice this semester alone and it's saved quite a bit over buying the new bundle w/ codes.
2 kids in college now- both home-schooled all the way thru - you CAN do it! 😀
You covered all my general tips but specifically, if taking a lit class, look for classics and works of fiction at the thrift stores--you will always find Dickens, Austen, Melville, and so many others that I know I read in college! Way cheaper than even used at the campus bookstore.
Yes! And http://www.bookmooch.com
Amazon rentals are a good idea - and you can even rent electronic versions of the books. Thanks for the giveaway!
If you have a roommate or other close dorm mate who is taking the class, find out how much you'll be using it and SHARE (hopefully the used ) book, cutting your costs even more. That won't work for some classes, but it definitely will for some too!
Always check half.com! 🙂
That's a great website. Books are honestly so cheap there!
Near a lot of universities are used book stores that sell and buy used textbooks and are strong competitors of the campus bookstore and online sellers. One can often beat online deals with the local source because the seller can avoid the shipping fee. In some of these stores you can get store credit for selling them CDs, DVDs, video games, and books. One typically gets more value when selling for store credit than for getting cash back. One might even be able to solicit family and friends for unwanted items to sell to the store for credit to buy textbooks. Possibly ask the extended family to buy textbooks instead of other gifts. I'd certainly be more enthused at buying a niece or nephew a college textbook than some gadget they'll toss to the side in a few months.
On the topic on selling books, remember to take into account whether or not you plan to pursue an advanced degree either immediately or several years down the road. Core texts can help refresh your knowledge for entrance exams and be references for advanced courses. For certain degrees core books can certainly be a reference many years later in your career. I've certainly referenced a few books many years after graduation and know many others who have done the same.
I'm a huge fan of renting textbooks. My second child graduates from college this year and we have rented every textbook since his second semester freshman year. That was after buying textbooks at the campus bookstore his very first semester for a whopping $500+ ! We've used several online book rental companies (because their prices do vary and some email coupons)....and we've never had a bad experience. The textbooks have all been in great shape, arrived on time and return shipping was always simple and free. My one tip: if your child's in college away from home, have him save the original shipping boxes for the returns. (My son keeps them under his dorm room bed). Also, you can go through Ebates for additional savings with several of book renters.....every little bit helps with kids in college!
My son has rented and it works so easily. This was a helpful article. Thank you!
For me it's rent, rent, renting! Being in college now, I've found that renting textbooks has saved me both money and space. I've rented textbooks for as little as $20 for a whole semester. And sometimes, those same websites has books for dirt cheap. The cheapest book I've bought for college cost around $3 I think. And it's great that you can just print a free shipping label and return the book without a hassle. You can save while in college if you just look around!
I got a part-time job at the campus bookstore while I was in college. It was a great way to earn some money, plus, the 20% employee discount did apply to textbook purchases. With the store manager's permission, I was able to use my discount to buy both my books and my brother's books (at the same school as me). At the time, it costed an average of $1000 per student on books per semester (and that's with used books where available), before the discount! (My English major books tended to cost less than my brother's science textbooks--but his earning potential is higher than mine now!!) My discount saved hundreds of dollars on textbooks for my family the 4 semesters I worked at the bookstore. Savings plus income--win, win!!!
Renting textbooks is definitely the best way to save money. As long as you don't need an access code for the class.
I want the gift cards 🙂
Always check online for college texts, and be sure to save general ed textts if you have more than one college age child. I have been fortunate enough to pass down some books from one son to another!
I thought about doing that, but then I worried that by the time Lisey takes a class Joshua's taking, they may have put out a new edition! So then I was worried it would be risky to hold onto the books.
Not sure if anyone else has mentioned it, but since I just did it this morning for my son...buy eTextbooks. I would have spent over $500 buying or renting used books when I was able to buy the ebook for him to download to his Ipad for $230! I prefer real books, but he prefers to read them on his computer or Ipad so it says us a lot of money.
We rented a couple of books from Barnes and Noble when we were short on time. Most other books we check amazon and eBay for the cheapest books and resell them afterwards. Sometimes we can make more by selling directly to Amazon. We avoid shipping costs and sellers fees. It's a win win!
While I was still in high school, my best friend and I were taking college classes together. To save on the costs of textbooks we split the costs and shared a book for each class. While this might not work for most people, it worked very well for us.
I always do a Google search to find online versions of books. It's so much cheaper to pay a few bucks to use it online than to have the book in hand!
I had no idea Barnes and Nobles offered services for textbooks! This is great news:)
When I was a music major, we had some textbooks that came with huge CD sets that cost hundreds of dollars. What we didn't think about until after buying was that if you usually listened to them together (such as friends, roommates, or suitemates who were in the same class), we could have split the cost of purchase and then split the repayment of returning at the end. It's hard to all read a book at the same time, but symphonies share well!
I don't have any special tips other than to try and buy the books used if you can.
I don't have any tips to add, but I learned a few new ones from the post - thanks!
Tip #1 - The college library will often keep copies of textbooks used in the college classes on hold that can be used in the library or checked out for brief periods. This won't work for all classes, but worked fine for one of my engineering courses that referred to the textbook only occasionally.
Tip #2 - When applicable, try taking classes that don't have a textbook at all. One of my best engineering courses was one where the prof made up all his own problem sets and you learned the concepts (very well) between his lectures and doing the homework.
I always bought used textbooks if they were available, either online or at the used bookstore near campus.
Agreed on working your library! All of my books this semester for grad school are actually available to download section by section from the library's website. Since we get to print for free, this doesn't cost me any extra if I want to read paper instead of on the screen!
I know lots of people are already saying this, but the library!!
Amazon and eBay are the best
I don't have any tips but this post sure came in handy as my son has one more year of high school and then college!
I didn't go to college, and my oldest is only twelve, so no tips...but I sure would love to win that card. 🙂
Borrow or share with a friend! I always resold, but you don't get that much that it would be a major hit most times:)
Barnes and Noble has been a Godsend for us!
Get to know someone who is a semester, or maybe a year, ahead of you. This can be kind of tricky whey you're working on your general courses, but it really comes in handy when you're taking mostly classes in your major. Of course, definitely check which edition and/or if it matters which edition. If the text is the same but questions are different, you can usually make a copy of the questions, etc. Good luck all.
While not always an option for people who are in totally different classes, I used to go in with a couple of my friends in similar art or english classes on books and we'd all pass them around as needed. For example, I'd get Monday/Tuesday and they'd get them Wednesday/Thursday or something that would work with our schedules! I found it cost us out of pocket much less than each buying a copy (of course they'd still be used, never new!) and while we did get a return back afterwards, we'd usually spend it together and go out for dinner as a hurrah! we made it through the semester!). This also might not be the best option for slow readers, but it worked for my friends and I 🙂
You're totally right about selling the books *back* at the end of the semester. You will probably never reference them again! Terrific giveaway.
Borrowing from the library!
I have been going back to college as an adult and have gotten great deals on renting textbooks from Amazon. Best of all, the book goes back the end of the quarter and doesn't clutter your house!
I'd like to we win the gift card.
These are great tips! I usually ask the professor if the book will actually be used in the course. Since I had a social science degree - I could borrow most of the books from the library. Also rented them! Thanks for the post!
My tip is to enter all giveaways that blogs post in the strange off chance that you will win the Barnes and Noble gift card.
I always shopped for textbooks at half.com. I also dumpster dived at the end of each semester and came up with a number of books from upperclassmen that I would need in the coming years, and sold those I didn't want to the campus bookstore.
I'd love to win! Buying used saved me tons in college!
Sometimes, professors place some copies of their required textbooks on reserve in the library for students to use. I could only use them for 3 hours at a time inside the library, but it helped me save so much money! Also, textbooks.com is a great resource, plus sharing the books with friends and dividing up the cost!
Buying used & reselling was my best option back in the day. Now a lot of books are available online or for rent.
One of my best tips is checking with other students at your school and in your program. Often, the same textbook is used for multiple semesters, so you can buy from a friend for cheaper than used from the bookstore. Also, the friend often gets more than what the used book buy back offers - a win for everyone!
I don't have any good tips yet as my oldest will be attending college for the first time next year. I am really enjoying everyone else's tips and would love to win the gift card to use towards those future textbooks!
Yes!! Buying used and selling my books saved me tons of money in college. A few years later when my husband went back to school to finish his degree we rented almost all of his books. So cheap!
And as an engineer and I also adjunct teach at a local college, I have used a lot of my college textbooks. I did sell most of my graduate books. I knew I'd never look at them again.
I buy books used off of Amazon. Sometimes I find friends willing to sell them to me. I am always trying to find a user friendly way to get what I need. Selling them back for pennies was never appealing to me!
With one daughter through college and 3 sons in, we are constantly looking for cheap deals. For NC readers, go to Ed McKays! (www.edmckay.com) Fantastic used bookstore with great stock, and they also buy textbooks at great prices. They sell used high end calculators and such too. Half.com (ebay) was also a big help, and then, as others have mentioned, borrowing from upper class men for books you know you don't want to keep is a great option.
Most of my tips you've already mentioned. One thing, though, when buying from a private seller online you can run into long lead/shipping times and wait a long time for a book. I try to choose a seller that is closest in proximity to my daughter's school so it doesn't have as far to go and arrives faster.
There are used book fairs in my area that saves huge on homeshool textbooks
I was able to get some text books from the library. I also shared the cost of a book with a roomamte who was in the same class.
I always checked local craigslists to see if the books were available there first, then compared between half.com and amazon to find the best price. Then, I always sold them myself (on half.com or craigslist)- that seemed to bring in a little bit more cash than what the university bookstore offered to buy them back.
This isn't really a tip but... at the end of each semester I would get so excited about selling my books back that I sold some books that I now wish I had kept. Two years out from college I realize we read some pretty interesting stuff! But renting was a lifesaver for big textbooks 🙂 Love your writing!
Web search are one of the easiest ways to obtain textbooks for college, but if the books are really big and thick, get yourself a tablet and rental the electronic version. This will save your back and shoulders in the process.
Craigslist has been a good way for us to buy used textbooks, but I'm glad to know about B&N. It seems like it would be less of a hassle. Timely post, thank you!
I found renting was not a good option for me as you cannot write in the books . Downloading books also was a problem sometimes . I found that inventory was based on supply and demand. ( of course ) . I was able to buy my books much cheaper when I looked for them as far in advance as possible. There are online sites that allow you to see every rental/purchase option available for any one book across the internet. I also found that I had friends that had different schedules than mine but the same major. We traded books semester to semester. A gift card would definitely help .
Start early looking for the book. Buy online, look for coupon codes!
I'm a very interactive reader. I'm very visual, very not-auditory, and I read to do my learning. Lots of highlighting and annotating. I shopped around on several websites for used books, and I accepted copies that had battered exteriors to save money. It was time consuming, but worthwhile. I kept most of my textbooks, too, for referencing while working on my master's.
I read through a ton of great comments. Sorry if I'm repeating someone else, but I stopped about half way through. Getting a kindle book may be an option. A lot of students have laptops and you can download a kindle reader to your laptop/PC.
I've sold quite a few on Craigslist. I purchase used books, unless no other option.
I loved your article and so timely for me. I have a kid going to college next year.
When I was a graduate student I tried the library first. The school library usually had the book or an earlier copy that I could use. Most school libraries do not allow you to check the book out, however you could use it in the library. This worked out to be a benefit because it was almost always available and forced me to get my homework done, and done in an environment with little distraction.
Depending on how long you need the book, what your library's renewal policy is, and if you don't need to mark the book up with notes, borrow the books from the library.
Check with the public library or college library for the books that are used for the course but aren't necessarily "text books."
I would love to win the gift card!
In grad school, I always bought much older editions for sometimes a dollar or two on half.com (though I don't know if that's still around). Then on the first day of class, I would ask to compare it to the professors copy-usually the only difference was a shuffling of chapters. If there was any significant content missing in my edition, i would borrow the professors copy or from another student to read the parts I was missing. I always read the entire text in the first week or two of class and then just reviewed whatever we were focusing on week by week anyway, so this worked for me.
You've inspired me to sell my son's old text books, esp since the B&N option seems so easy (I'm into easy!)...and I do love gift cards too!
Rent textbooks, purchase ebooks, get them online for free, or check campus library.
Glad to know Barnes and Noble has these services. Before now I wouldn't have thought of them for college books. My daughter tries to borrow or rent first, then buy used online, and uses campus bookstore as a last resort.
First college degree, saved everything and used some books as reference tools fairly often- this was pre-computer days! Went back later and sold everything I could back to the bookstore. Not too much money but got them out of the house!
ALSO, I want to encourage everyone to check out http://www.bookmooch.com! It's fantastic!
Thanks for all you do!
I have followed many of the tips, but borrowing books from friends has always been the cheapest route! I'd love to win a gift card my book worm eleven year old!
I think back to my undergraduate days when I thought I needed to buy all the expensive art history textbooks for my classes. Eek! Things have certainly changed. I wasn't even aware that renting textbooks was a possibility until my older son, a sophomore in college, told me that he was planning to do this after researching his options. My first thought was "But won't you want them later?" Then I thought about how often I have referred back to my own past college textbooks. Not much! Except for a few of the nursing textbooks.
Check the campus library for a reserve copy - this is a book that cannot be taken out of the library, but if you are able to devote regular time to being the library, this is a great free option and you have a quiet place to study. I have also shared textbooks with my roommates; for science majors, you will want to make sure that you and your friend do not have the same science lab periods scheduled where you will both need the same book at the same time. I also recommend buying used, and then selling as soon as possible after the semester ends -- do not wait until you graduate because it's likely that a new edition will come out.
Asking around on campus or using social media to do so often turns up opportunities to buy used books from other students who have taken that class already!
Don't forget to check out your local bookstores, used and new!
I don't have any fabulous new tip, but buying used or borrowing have worked for me!
No tip but would love to win a gift card
I didn't have time to read all the comments so this might have been covered, but consider sharing (this is very limited but can be done, my brother and I took the same class at the same time and used the same book with no problems) or check Craigslist or local buy/sell pages by putting an up an ad and searching.
Would love to win that gift card!
My husband is in college again and surprisingly he's found a few on eBay for much cheaper than other places.
My best tip is DONT sell it back to the school bookstore, they give you the worst money back in my experience.
Start looking as early as possible and try to find someone who took the class before you to see if you can buy their books directly from them. In my experience (10 years ago, so maybe it is better) the buyback's on campus took a good cut of profits and charged more than buying directly from another student.
No tip to share but you really recieved some good ones. Thank you for the chance to win a gift card.
I would love yo win the gift card. B&N is one of my favorite places to visit.
My daughter starts college in the fall, and I would love the gift card. Thanks for all the great tips!
Thanks for the great tips! I look forward to helping my girls save money when they hit the college years.
Great post! I learned something. My oldest will be attending college next fall so I'll be referring back to this info. Thanks for the opportunity to win the gift card.
And a big thank you to all the folks who commented. The readers who follow this site are awesome.
I wish I would have been better about this back in the day when I was going to college. Oh the money I could have saved. Hind sight is 20/20 right? I will remember all these tips for when my kids go to college to help save money.
I wish online purchasing would have been an option when I was in college! I always bought used when possible though, and now saving tips for when my own child goes to college.
I took a class last year to see if I wanted to pursue an MPH and was shocked that you could rent books from Amazon. I was about to spend $100+ on a book when I could rent it from Amazon for about $30. It was such an easy process and I was so thankful for it because I decided the MPH was not for me.
I'm currently a college student and I know all too well just how expensive the textbooks can be. The one place I always look before purchasing textbooks is Craigslist. I have bought many of my books from someone local on Craigslist. I always take someone with me and I meet up with the seller in a public place. I found a child psychology book that was over $150 at the bookstore for only $10! I have also sold a few of my books on Craigslist at the end of the semester.
I just finished my Bachelor's and am now starting my Master's, so this is post full of great ideas! Personally, I've used Chegg to rent/buy textbooks at WAY cheaper prices, but I've also found good deals on Amazon (buy AND rent). Tip: look for the Kindle version (if you have a Kindle). Quick, cheap, and the search function makes looking for specific info super easy! I didn't know B & N had so many options for textbooks, so I'll have to check that out.
Ny residents, even upstate, can borrow thousands of books online through the new york city public library system. I've found many there not owned by my local library system. Great for kindle!
I would always head to the college bookstore ASAP. I had a better chance of snagging a used book.
I love looking at thrift stores for books for kids!
My son just started college this Spring Semester! He has a friend who graduated previously and is checking with him to see if the books are still the same for the classes they share. This man has kept all his books and is willing to share! Thanks for the chance for the gift card!
Just make sure to sell them quickly - new versions make them obsolete fast
I have become a big fan of evooks for grad school. They save my back too! I always have to ask around though...sometimes the diagrams aren't with the text...which for me, doesn't work well.
Remember to sell your text books when you are done using them, lowering your out-of-pocket cost. We have used Amazon for this but there are other ways to sell as well. I have also given away books so they won't collect dust.
Definitely shopping around online was the best way to save money.
Borrow, borrow, borrow! I was shameless about asking classmates a year ahead of me to borrow their books. (and then I was sure to do the same a classmate of the year after me).
Previous editions are also a good bet, especially when the book hasn't changed much. I used the "Search Inside" option online to check the table of contents to see if it was worth it to choose the classic edition.
Great article, thanks for the tips! 🙂
My friend and I took the same classes and shared books.
Amazon! Their system allows you to search by title, author or ISBN. I've bought so many used books from Amazon and never had a problem. Most of my books had CD's that came with and were still in place in the used versions. It was also super easy to sell my books once the semester was done.
And I second the idea of talking to the instructor. I saved a ton of money on books and supplies that way. Especially if the same course is taught by several different instructors - some may use materials that others do not so it pays to ask.
I just want to win!
My daughter tried sharing books with a friend. It was an English course where they had to read 12 different novels. They agreed to each buy six and share, but the friend was kind of flaky and my daughter ended up buying most of the books herself in the end, yet having to read them quickly to share with the other person. This may have worked more easily if they were roommates, but my daughter lived at home, off campus.
I spent many hours in my college library reading the library's copy of a $300 textbook. This was 40 years ago, so no internet, and the book was new to the school, so no used editions. I'm glad I didn't spend money on that book.
In graduate school, one of the biggest annoyances was professors who didn't choose the textbooks until the week classes started--at that point it was too late to shop around since there was required reading already due, and classes were taught by the Socratic method, so we were expected to come to class prepared.
Our school had a rental board, where students could rent out their texts.
My first year, I noticed that every student had to take stats. In spite of not needing it until sophomore year, I looked it up that day on half price, got it for 180, and proceeded to rent out every semester for the remainder of my time as a student. It paid for itself, as well as nearly all my other books, because I also used all your tips.
This might only work at a school like mine (we had more semesters than most schools) but it is something for any incoming freshman to consider.
I always look for the books at the library first. Inter-library loans between partnering colleges are great for finding a title that your library does not carry.
Renting a book is a much cheaper option in my opinion, and convenient because you don't have to worry about trying to sell the book again after you have finished with it. When my husband was in college a few years ago, we used Barnes & Noble, and we saved a lot of money versus the cost of buying new or used at the college bookstore. Now my daughter just started college, and we will be doing the same thing for her.
I usually asked friends that had taken the class if I even needed the book- a few I didn't. Then I had a couple of classes I took on off days from friends and we would book-share. My absolute favorite was a statistics professor that wrote his own book, printed it out and gave us each a stack of paper on the first day of class that we could hole punch or bind as we pleased. It was actually also the most useful book I ever used in my four years because it was custom tailored to the class and the professor's teaching style.
Sometimes if your class is PowerPoint based, you may not even need to open the textbook! Borrowing any old reference book from the library shelves or from the holds desk at the school library can suffice.
I have no idea how to save on college books, but I would like a gift card!
I remember that some books can be rented and read online . My kids are now out of college but I saved money when I could.
I have two college students and did not know that Barnes & Nobles sells used books. I will definitely look into that option next year. Thanks for the tip!
Searching online by ISBN was the best course of action for me!
My tip is to buy used or share.
I sell our textbooks at the end of the semester to make room for the new ones the next semester. Your tips were the same as the ones I've been using...didn't know about B&N's involvement in text books however!!
Check your school's book policies. Some schools are moving to inexpensive rental options for all books. My daughters college is currently piloting a program for one of their schools, with all books being $25.00. If it goes over well, they plan to expand to the entire college. Other schools are doing this also, so check to see if your college is one.
keep and eye out for what class your friends are in... they may want to sell back a book you need.
This truly depends on the course you're following, but I'd sometimes wait buying/arranging a book - in several of my courses the lectures were summaries of the book, so there was no direct need to also go over the book. If you're unsure about something or you need some more info, you can always go online
My other tip has been mentioned before and that is to check out the library. My university used to have all books used in courses; they had one copy that was not allowed to leave the library (and so can be used in the library only) and 1 or more copies that could be taken home. This is especially useful for short courses, or extra books that you really need, but only for a short period of time.
A gift card would be great! It's astounding how much more books are now than when I went to college!
I echo the college library recommendation!! Googling the isbn is a great idea, too, Kristen!
My son was injured and was under continued doctors care and physical therapy when school started. We went to the disability office and registered for services. At that time we were told that he was entitled to all online books (under federal law) (since he could not lift any heavy objects) and they were all provided free of charge. What a shock and a blessing considering the added medical bills.
Thanks for sharing! Now I have some more tips to sell unwanted college books.
I've shared textbooks with roommates in the same class and I've borrowed textbooks from friends who took the same class the year before.
This is a great list! Thank you. My husband has just gone back to school starting this semester after a long (10+ year) hiatus. And so much has changed in that time, so these tips will really help out.
My son will be starting college in a few years so these are great tips! Thanks for sharing. 🙂
I have two sons in college so we know all about the high cost of textbooks. My oldest son has bought used, borrowed and rented books. My youngest son has had some success finding Open Source books online. He just had a university specific Engineering book that cost $240 so I would love to win a gift card!
Renting is the way to go!
My college roommate and I shared books! We each covered half the cost, and when we sold them at the end of each term we split the refund in half.
I'm paying for school right ou of pocket for now until I can get back on student loans so I have to do a lot of searching to find my best and cheapest option Before I sign up for a class! But just with the isbn number the class gave me I was able to pay like 30 bucks for my text book in excellent used condition!
I would love to win the gift card! I have two homeschooled, high school, college class taking, girls and would love the help! Thanks for all the great tips!!
E-books! They are usually cheaper than the physical copies.
Often, you can get an even better deal by "renting" digital versions of text books for the semester, rather than paying full-price for a download (you are paying for access to the book for a few months, rather than the ability to keep it on your computer forever).
I loved this option when I was in school because it meant I could just carry my lap-top to campus instead of my lap-top PLUS a bunch of heavy books. And I could highlight and make notes directly on the text very easily. E-books allow one to search the text easily, too, which is helpful when you're studying.
I'd love to be entered in the giveaway :).