It is a dreaded but necessary expense: college textbooks. In one semester alone I paid over $600 for my books, and I know people that have had to paid more. The problem? By the end of your college career, you may spend upwards of $4,500 for textbooks--most of which you keep because it is almost pointless to sell them back (imagine my shock when I tried to sell back my Organic Chemistry books only to be offered $40 for what I paid $150).
But, never fear. There is hope! Both professors and publishers are starting to realize that more and more students have access to the internet (duh). And, they are catching on by choosing and offering textbooks in e-format. So, before you goto the campus bookstore and spend a fortune, check out these places for online (and cheaper) versions of your assigned textbooks.
1. ichapters.com. This site offers the widest selection of e-books and single chapters of common textbooks (about time, it is so annoying when professors ask you to buy a book only to assign three chapters). They also offer regular old print textbooks with a smaller price-tag.
2. coursesmart.com. Like ichapters, this website offers online textbooks from over 4,000 of the most commonly adopted textbooks as e-books.
3. Safari Books Online. If your school has a membership with this group, you may already have access to online books that have been assigned. Check with your professor or librarian to see if your college has a membership.
Online books are a great way to save money. But, don't forget tried and true methods like buying used textbooks if you can't find your book online. Also, selling textbooks direct to other students will earn you more than those bookstore buy-backs.
Right now, finding online versions of your textbooks is a little tricky, but it is up to you and your friends to make it a more common and available resource. Check out this article for more information.
The moral of the story? Before you take the dreaded walk to the bookstore, try to find your textbook online--you just might save a bunch of money!
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