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If you are studying in the United States, textbooks for a semester can easily cost you up to 500 dollars or more. When I was in college I dreaded beginning of a new semester just because of the unbelievably expensive textbooks. However, I can tell you one thing, after my first semester, I figured out how to save on textbooks. I can proudly say that I have not spent more than 150 dollars a semester on textbooks since then.

I have compiled a list of suggestions for those who want to save money on textbooks:

Suggestion #1: Find out what books you need at least three weeks before classes start

Plan ahead about what classes you want to take next semester and register as soon as possible. After registering, find out what books you will need for your classes. If you start late, you will have no other option but to use local bookstore or college bookstore.

There are a two ways to figure that out are going to be required:

• Go to the school bookstore just to browse. Look for required textbooks for classes that you are planning to take. Make sure you take pen and paper with you to make a list. School bookstore start stocking as early as a month before the new semester begins. If they don’t have the required books yet, find out when they will be in.
• Send a quick email to your “to-be-professor” and ask for the list of required textbook for that particular class.

While making the list of textbooks, make sure to get these information as accurately as possible:

• the name and volume/edition of the book
• the name of the author
• the book’s International Standard Book Number (ISBN), found on or near the barcode on the back of book
• the price

Suggestion #2: Find your textbooks in the library

College student often don’t ignore this option. Some college students never even make it to the college library in their four years in a college. I used to get most of my books from library. Check the catalogs of your school library and the local public library. If you can’t find a book there, try to obtain the book via interlibrary loan. Depending on the library’s borrowing policies, you may be able to check out books for the whole semester or at least for as long as you’ll need them. You’ll want to get on this early, though, because supplies will be limited.

Suggestion #3: Buy books online

Google your textbook and shop around online. If you are going to buy books online, keep in mind it will take 7-10 business days for your order to arrive. Therefore, start early. Some trustworthy online sites for buying textbooks are:

• Amazon.com
• Buy.com
• Barnesandnoble.com

Suggestion#4: Consider Used Books.

Used books are always cheaper than new ones. Your college bookstore may have used books as well. If not, again shop around online. You can check above mentioned website for used books. Some other websites for used textbooks are:

• Half.com
• Textbooks.com
• Ebay.com

Suggestion#5: Borrow, Share or Swap

Another way to save money on books is to borrow, share and swap. Ask around with your friends to see if you can borrow a book for a semester or swap books you have with books you need. You can always share your books with your buddies. Just make sure you are going to have access to your book when you need it.

Suggestion # 6: Electronic textbooks.

If you have to absolutely buy a book, consider buying electronic version of your textbooks. Here is a website to buy electronic book.

• ebooks.com
• ichapters.com

Your library might have an electronic version of your required textbook. In my last semester, I was able to find an electronic version of book. My college library provided a service called “ebrary” where I could add a book to my bookshelf, take notes etc.

Suggestion #7: Resell your book

If you end up buying a book at a bookstore or online, resell your book after the end of the semester if you don’t foresee that you’ll need a book after the semester ends. Though you won’t be able to resell your book at the same price you paid for it. You will get some money back to spend on books for next semester.

If you are buying books online, make sure you are getting it from reliable source to make sure you are not being ripped off and you are going to in fact get your book. Read rating of the seller if present. Stay away from individual sellers to be safe.

I hope you are enjoying last few weeks of summer before school starts.

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, feel free to send me emails!

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

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