June 22, 2019

Saving Money In College – Three Steps To The Textbook Stretch

Attending college can be a very exciting time for young adults. As a college student, you’re going to be developing the necessary skills you need to find a successful career after you graduate. However, the sad reality is that most college students are broke. Going to school, paying for rent and purchasing the necessary textbooks and supplies to get through your semesters can really add up.

Most students are not able to fit in a full-time job while taking their classes. The lucky students will get help from their parents and other family members. Other students do not have the luxury of their family’s financial support. Those who are left to deal with their finances on their own while going to college need to find ways to be smart with their budget. One way to do this is by being smart when looking to buy textbooks. A second way is to make money back by selling your books for cash.

Save Money When Buying College Textbooks

Any student attending college classes knows that the books needed can get quite expensive. The more classes you take, the more books you are going to have to fork money over to buy. It is no secret they are expensive. Some classes require you to purchase books that you barely even use during the semester. This can be quite frustrating, especially if you are struggling financially as a student. Thankfully, there are some ways to save money on your book purchases. Below are some options to take into consideration to save and make money while attending college.

Purchase Books Internationally Online

One option is to consider purchasing your books internationally. This option will take a little bit of research and time, but you may be able to find the books you need at affordable prices. The internet gives students countless purchasing options right at their fingertips.

Find Books In Social Media Groups

Many colleges and universities have online forums where students can work together to trade and sell their books. Additionally, many schools have Facebook groups where students can join in to discuss ways to save money on books, school supplies, and other costs associated with living as a college student.

Search For Student Discounts

Aside from saving money purchasing your books, there are other ways to save money on your expenses. Many businesses offer discounts to students who attend local colleges and universities as a way to give back to the community. Business owners know how hard it can be for students to get by financially. Offering them discounts is a nice way businesses can show kindness to students in need.

When you take the time to look, you will see that students are offered discounts from food and toiletries to trips to local amusement parks. Finding a student discount when planning your summer vacation is a great way to save money on a much-deserved vacation after a hard semester at school.

Earn Extra Income In Your Free Time

As a college student, there are many things you can do in your free time to earn a little bit of extra income to help you get by. One idea is to try to make money off of one of your hobbies. If you are good at sewing, you may offer your tailoring services to other students for a fee. If you have a vehicle, you may choose to be a ride-sharing driver when you’re not studying or in class. Anything you’re able to do in your spare time to earn a little bit of money can greatly help you survive while in college.

how to pay for college

Where To Sell Your Used College Course Books

After you buy textbooks to use during your semester, you will most likely never need them again. Because you have spent a lot of money on them, it makes sense to sell them and try to recoup some of the costs. There are many places to sell your used books.

Online

Many colleges have online forums where students can buy and sell their course materials to other students. There are also many websites that buy college books from students, such as Booksrun. When you visit the website, you will be able to use the ISBN number located on the book to get a quote from the company. Most reputable companies will also supply free shipping of your books to them. Generally, you can expect to receive a gift card, website credits for future book purchases, or cash for your books.

College Buyback Programs

Depending on the college you go to, they may hold an annual book buyback event. During this event, you may sell back your gently used books to the school. They will then resell the books to students taking the same classes the following semester. This is one of the quickest and easiest ways to get rid of your used books and make a little bit of cash.

Why Make The Effort To Sell Used Textbooks?

There are many great reasons for putting effort into selling your used books. Not only will you be making some extra money on books, you will no longer use, but you will also be helping out other students. When students sell their used books to their colleges, online or to their local bookstores, the more availability of affordable books, there will be for other students. You will be helping other students save money on the books they need for their classes.

About the author 

Anu Balam


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