Friday, July 24, 2009

Go Green - Buy Digital Textbooks (or eTextbooks) and Save 50%


High school students take having free books for granted. Most incoming college freshmen are in for a big shock when they see the price of their new calculus book. That's what my advice is here for. When you are spending $150 (or more) for a single book it is a lot to swallow, not to mention the $30 lab manual that comes with it. Oh and did you forget the $15 CD too? Buying textbooks is very, very expensive. On average a student buying his/her books from the school bookstore can expect to pay at least $500 per semester. When you consider a whole school year that's easily $1,000. In this article I am going to discuss a great alternative to buying published books; buy digital textbooksat a savings of up to 50%.

Nearly all incoming students buy their books from the university bookstore. I’ll admit it, I bought my first semester’s books from the university book store, and boy did it show in my pocket book. University bookstores (or bookstores on campus) have the highest mark-up of all stores. You are a fool if you buy your books from them.

In my opinion, the best method of buying books is digital textbooks you can buy online. You cannot beat the prices. With this method there is no shipping to worry about or lines to stand in. You go to an online etextbook store, place your order, and wait for your first day of school! I decided to buy digital textbooks for my daughter's freshman year after remembering what I went through in my college days. It was the best money saving method for college textbooks. You turn $500 per semester in textbook fees into a mere $200 (or less). It’s amazing how so few students know they can buy etextbooks online. As an added caveat, let me tell you from my own experience that these companies are 100% safe.

If you are going to get anything out of this article, the most important point being made is to be smart with your money. Instead of college textbooks buy digital textbooks. It is by far the cheapest method available and no lines or buybacks to worry about, but best of all the savings is immediate!