Text Books

Text books are a necessary part of college life and it can become quite expensive very quickly but it doesn't have to be. Saving money on books is an easy process as there is no reason to have to pay full prices for what publisher's think they are worth. Below are some ideas on how to save some money.

Campus Bookstore

Most bookstores always carry used books sold back by students at the end of the year. This is the easiest way to get books at a discounted price without too much effort. The drawbacks of course are that they are a limited quantity and at times the quality of a used book can be questionable at best. What's great about purchasing used books from your college book store is that the book store is responsible for putting out the correct text books you need before the class starts. This allows you to purchase your books well in advance before school starts and save some money as well. Get to the bookstore before school starts as these books will end up flying off the shelves first.

Off Campus Bookstores

Another great source of discounted text books are the local off campus bookstores. Typically these bookstores sell their books at or less than the used book prices of your campus book store. Similar to your campus bookstore, supplies are limited with sometimes questionable quality but allows you an alternative place to find the book you need. The major drawback of going to an off campus bookstore is that they supply many versions of the text book you need so buy beware! Make sure to come prepared with your class's syllabus to ensure you get the right book. Also, certain off campus bookstores may not have a return policy.

Amazon / Online

Online vendors such as Amazon will allow you to save a significant amount of money on text books even when the book is brand new. Major discounts can be found when purchasing used books though you are running the risk of getting a text book that has been completely highlighted. Another option online is to purchase the international version of your text book which is exactly the same but heavily discounted. What makes the international version so cheap is quality of the paper and it being a paper back. If you don't mind a lower quality version of a new book then, by means purchase the international version. Amazon also provides free shipping for certain books as well which makes purchasing a book online a major plus. The only drawback of purchasing a text book online is the time it takes to ship to you. If you are well aware of the textbooks your class requires, you can easily order it well in advance before school starts. To me this is a very preferable way of purchasing books behind student book exchanges.

Student Book Exchanges

Certain schools create a market exchange for students where they are allowed to sell their books at whatever prices they want. Typically students will sell their books well below the used bookstore price to ensure that they are quickly bought up. If you are looking for big discounts without waiting for shipment then look no further. However you must be willing to wait in a long line well before the exchange opens as books tend to go by very quickly.

Library

What's better than discounted books? How about free books? Libraries will typically have your textbook on reference and you can check it out for several hours during the day. Unfortunately that only allows you only a couple hours a day while being stuck at the library. But at least think of all the money you'll save!

If you have another ways you save money through text books please comment below.