How to Save Money on Textbooks

Many things are different in university than they are in high school that you learn as you go along, but the biggest shock to me upon starting school wasn’t the workload, or the size of classrooms, but it was the price of a textbook! In high school, I realized that I took for granted my school supplying us with the books we needed, though I know that is not the case everywhere. I could not believe that on top of paying an already pricey tuition, I had to now hand over on average $100 for ONE textbook! AND that all depends on what your major is, some textbooks can be upwards of $300! Now if you are like me, paying that much for a book you’re going to use for four months will make you sick to your stomach, so I am going to provide you with the ultimate guide on how to save money on textbooks (as much as possible).

Buying Used Textbooks

This is my number one way of getting the textbooks I need for classes. At the U of S, there is a Facebook group that has about 15,000 members where you can post your old textbooks, or search to buy fellow students used textbooks! Due to the high volume of postings, it usually takes a bit of searching to find the textbook you need for a good price-but the discount is so worth it. Or, the bookstore on campus will typically buy back used textbooks in good condition and sell them in store at a discounted price. Plus, it is good for the environment to reuse things!

Trading/Sharing Textbooks

If you have friends taking the same classes as you, this is an excellent approach! Be sure to communicate with friends that are in the same college or major, as you may not need to purchase as many textbooks! Trading textbooks is a win-win for everyone and will keep your wallet happy! Or, if you are taking a class as the same time as a friend and like to study with others, sharing a textbook is an option to split the cost, just ensure you come up with an agreement before hand of how the sharing will work.

Online Textbooks

With technology as great as it is today, you can find almost anything online, and that includes the textbooks you need for your classes! There are multiple online sites in which you can download a free PDF version of your textbook, though there is no guarantee that you will be able to find your desired text for free. When it only requires a quick google search, and some classic surfing of ‘the web’ it doesn’t hurt to try find your required text in order to save some cash. If you are unable to discover your textbook for free, purchasing online textbooks through your school’s bookstore or the company’s website typically cost less than buying a hard copy version.

Written by Paige Andrusiak, Corporate Relations Coordinator