Another Way to Acquire Books Within Your Budget

In my blog posting of November 25, 2008 (Swapping Books: Good for the Mind, the Soul, Your Wallet and the Environment!), I alerted you to a terrific book swapping website. Since it is finally vacation time, it is a wonderful time to curl up with a good book, and also time to continue tracking down your required books for second semester. With that in mind, it is worth checking out the website Swaptree.com, which provides the opportunity to trade books, DVDs, music and video games. Take a look. Let me know how you make out, particularly with regards to required reading for second semester.

Swapping Books: Good for the Mind, the Soul, Your Wallet and the Environment!

About a year ago I learned about a website that allows you to swap used books, just for the cost of postage. The PaperBack Swap is not only beneficial for the avid reader, but also for the college student on the hunt for textbooks or other required reading.

Here’s the abbreviated lowdown: You open an account on the site and list 10 books you are willing to swap. They provide you with 2 startup credits. Each time one of your books is requested, you mail it out and receive an additional credit. The more credits you accumulate, the more books you are entitled to request. Each book is available for 1 credit. If you are in search of a particular book, you add it to your “wish list”. They will notify you when it becomes available. The only cost to you is shipping a book that is requested from you. They will email you when one of your books has been requested, and provide you with an address and even the wrapper for the book. You wrap the book, pay for postage and mail it out. It could not be easier. Try looking for some of your required textbooks on the site. My daughter had success this past semester. Your requested book will be sent to you, free of charge. You can later add that book back on your book swap list. It’s a great way to feed your “book junkie” habit for a nominal postage fee!

As an added benefit, the site also swaps audio books (for 2 credits). Note their links for swapping DVDs and CDs on top of the home page. Check it out and curl up with a good book, DVD or CD!

Textbooks and more

It is more than likely that time in the semester when you have already registered, or will soon be registering, for classes. Those $100 and higher textbooks are a reality. However, a little ingenuity will help you monitor those steep costs. .

Consider registering for free with Borders Rewards to receive a variety of (nearly weekly) specials throughout the year. For example, while it expires today, a recent email includes a coupon (for members) for 30% off any purchase of $10 or more, online or in the store. Do not despair, inevitably there will soon be another email with an additional book discount available. For more information regarding the benefits of joining, read the program benefits and facts. In the meantime, find out the titles and ISBN numbers for your textbooks, and this may be just one of many ways to begin cutting your costs.

In addition, if you are beginning to plan for the holidays, today's email provided a coupon (for members) for 40% off all Cd's (limit 3).

Barnes and Noble offers a similar membership card, however, they charge a $25 yearly membership fee. Given that many university bookstores are owned and operated by Barnes and Noble, this may be an option worth considering.

Also, begin to ask around at school to see who may have already taken the class you're intending to take. They may be willing to sell or lend it to you.

I'll cover a number of additional ways to save on textbooks in future posts. Stay tuned!