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Buy college textbooks without breaking your bank

College is full of sticker shocks. There are the expenses of tuition, room and board and transportation; sometimes it seems as though the final cost of textbooks is staggering. Textbooks can range anywhere from $100 to $400 per class, depending on the course. Fortunately, there are a few ways around the extreme costs of books. It takes a bit of effort and creativity, but if the result is saving some money it is well worth it.

Following are a few ideas to get around the costs of text books:

  • Check out Half.com. This is a great site that offers everything from books to electronic equipment. The prices are great and the service is wonderful. If you need the book right away, Half.com might not be the best option. But you can always borrow a book until yours arrives.
  • Split the book with a classmate. This is not always the best option, but if you and your mate are clever about scheduling and keeping up with work this can be an option for you both.
  • Check out the book from the library. You must be quick to get this one done since about 3,000 other students have the same idea.
  • Talk to your professor. If you are in a situation where you simply can't afford the text, the professor will sometimes have an extra copy or two. When I returned to school after having my son, my teachers were very understanding and willing to lend me the books.
Do you have any ideas about cutting the high costs of books? Please share.

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