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5 Ways To Save Money On College Textbooks

Posted January 11, 2021 in Lifestyle
Photo of Lauren Vance
by Lauren Vance
Marketing Specialist

Buying textbooks has never been a cheap ordeal. To help you cut back on school expenses here's 5 easy ways to save money on college textbooks. 

1. Buy Digital

If you have the option to access a textbook online, do it. A digital version of a textbook can cost substantially less. In fact, the online version of a textbook can be up to 60% cheaper than the printed copy.  A digital book is also very convenient because you'll essentially have it with you at all times on your laptop or tablet without having to actually carry it around.

2. Buy Used

The price difference between a new textbook and a pre-owned one can be drastic. Many colleges offer used textbooks in their bookstore for students, however you can also shop around at various websites and online retailers for the best deals on used books. Just make sure you have the correct version of the book before you buy it. A good rule of thumb is to always avoid buying brand new textbooks if you can help it because it will help save you a lot of money in the long run.

3. Utilize Your School's Bookseller Discount

Often times colleges will partner up with book stores and companies that sell textbooks to help provide more price reductions for students. Check if your school has any deals with any other companies so that you can get your books at a lower rate. Sometimes schools will have these deals and not advertise them very heavily so you may have to go out of your way to check and see.

4. Subscribe To Save

Some booksellers and book companies will give you a discount if you subscribe to their emails or become a member. Through the subscription services you'll recieve more deals and be able to save more money on your textbooks. All you'll need to do is provide your email so that you can recieve their emails.

5. Sell Your Books

Last but not least, make sure you sell your books that you are no longer using. Be prepared that you will not get back the full amount you spent, however, you will get enough return that it will be worth it. Most college bookstores have a book sell back at the end of every semester, so, every semester you can get some extra cash from the books you used the previous semester. Furthermore, now you won't have extra textbooks laying around your dorm or apartment taking up space.

Key Takeaways

Remember to research and look around for the best deals before you buy your textbooks. Don't be afraid to shop around and ask what discounts stores are offering. Any bit of savings helps when you are a college student trying to make ends meet.

Visual guide for saving money on textbooks