Gather your syllabus for each class and make a master list of everything you’ll need.

If you want to preview required readings for each class, your campus bookstore/website is a good place to start.

But don’t get out your wallet yet: your college’s bookstore is definitely not the place to find the best bargains!

Textbooks may be reprinted in new editions every few years. Older editions are often a lot cheaper.

But there’s a catch.

Professors usually have the newest edition and use it to assign readings. So if they tell you to read pages 25-50 and you have the old edition, you might be reading the wrong chapter. Old editions can also include outdated info. When in doubt, check with your professor before buying a different edition.

How do you make sure you’re buying the right edition? One way is to compare ISBNs—an ID number usually printed on the back of the book, near the bar code. Another is to use a barcode scanner app, which might also tell you where to find the best deal on that book.

The best way to save money on books is not to buy them at all. See what you can access for free.

• Will the professor post readings online, or make them available via library reserve? Don’t be afraid to ask directly.
• Can you borrow from/share with a friend?
• Is anything listed as optional on the syllabus?

Some colleges offer grants specifically designated to cover the costs of class materials for students from underrepresented or low-income backgrounds. For more information on what’s available at your school, ask your financial aid office.

Find the best deals online. Check these options:

• used vs. new
• renting vs. buying
• hard copy vs. ebook (if it’s ok with your professor)

Don’t forget shipping and handling fees, and check return fees and policies, too.

Then seal the deal!

Pro tip: visit a site like Slugbooks or cheapesttextbooks.com to compare prices on books, often from hundreds of sources. 

How you get rid of books can be just as important to your budget as how you get them in the first place.

Return any books you won’t end up using ASAP so you can get your money back. To keep books returnable, save your receipts and keep them in good condition.

At the end of the term, try to sell your books to or trade with other students. If you “sell them back” to book-buyers, you probably won’t get what they’re really worth.