Diary of a Poor College Kid: Save Money & Smiles This Spring through Campus Book Rentals
*This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission (at no additional cost to you!) if you make a purchase using any of these links.*
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College is expensive. Plain and simple. To all my fellow students, I know how stressful the beginning of a semester can be, from scholastics to scheduling to monetary misfortunes. During my undergraduate studies, UCF would trick me into believing I was getting money back from my scholarships each semester, only to realize nearly the entire lump sump went directly into the campus book store the following week. Not only are textbooks ridiculously expensive, but I know full well that I’ll only get back a fraction of the cost when I try and get rid of them. Plus, it’s just tough to take a financial loss on something like an 800-page Biology book.
I’ve featured CampusBookRentals.com on my blog before, and the more inflation skyrockets the cost of textbooks, the more I believe in their program. Through the Campus Book Rentals website, you can actually rent (and rent back) your textbooks for a minor fraction of the purchase price. Here are some additional perks of participating in their program:
one
You’ll save between 40-90% off of bookstore prices.
two
They offer free shipping both ways. Standard shipping typically takes within 7-14 days. You’ll receive a prepaid return envelope when your textbooks arrive.
three
You’re allowed to highlight in the textbooks.
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They offer flexible renting periods, and there is a 21-day worry-free guarantee, when you can return your textbooks for a full refund in the event of a dropped class, change in schedule, etc.
five
They just unveiled a new program, RentBack, which allows students to rent the textbooks they own to other students for 2-4x as much money compared to what they’d make through the standard buy-back programs (selling textbooks back at the end of the semester– a known cash cow for universities). 6. Campus Book Rentals donates to Operation Smile with each textbook rented.*
*Operation Smile is one of my all-time favorite charities. They are an international children’s medical charity that heals children’s smiles, forever changing their lives. As a mobilized force of medical professionals and caring volunteers, they provide safe and effective reconstructive surgery and related medical care for kids born with facial deformities such as cleft lip and cleft palate. In too many underprivileged areas, parents can’t afford to give their children the surgery they need, and these deformities often inhibit little ones from eating, speaking, socializing, or smiling. Operation Smile provides the vital access to quality, safe surgical care and gives them the medical attention and confidence for a future filled with hope.
Hopefully, this will help y’all give back and save a little this semester… you know, to pay for more important things, like monogrammed book covers. What are your other tips for cutting costs in college?
Renting my books was awesome in university! And right now it is really blowing up. You should recommend Chegg.com. They offer pretty good deals too. Thanks for sharing 🙂
I totally understand why you chose this kind of charity. Not only will you get to help those children who are unfortunately born with facial deformities, you’ll also get to save a significant amount of money in textbook expenses. This is truly a great cause, thanks for sharing it to us!
This is so great! College can be a difficult time financially (I know all too well!), and these tips are very helpful. Thanks for posting!
Ugh, so true. Thanks, Taylor! Have a fabulous weekend!
I love Campus Rentals. My son is doing classes through his high school and I have been getting the books from them.
Aren't they the best?! Such a great money saver. Hope you have a wonderful weekend, Debi!
This is so great, and I love how they give back! College books are ridiculous, I hated having to pay so much each semester!
I know… thrifty and philanthropic! 🙂 Paying for books is the WORST.
Great idea thanks for the information very helpful books are expensive.
http://tifi11.blogspot.com
Indeed! Thanks, Jackie 🙂 Happy Thursday!
I love this concept because books can be pricey! Trust me I know my husband is still paying off his student loans which included books!
I hear ya, lady! Anything to cut costs is a win-win situation. Hope you have a great weekend!
My husband has used Campus Book Rentals before – they are a great company. I love that they donate to Operation Smiles too!
I know, it makes me like them all the more. Thanks for stopping by, Erika!
I wish they'd had this when I was in college and grad school. I could have saved a ton!
I know, I'm kicking myself for not doing this during undergrad. I could've saved SO much. Ugh! Thanks for stopping by, Joyce 🙂
What a great cause it supports! I always rented my textbooks in grad school, saved me so much money!
-Alex
http://www.monstermisa.blogspot.com/
Smart move… I wish I had jumped on board earlier! Boo. Hope you have a fabulous weekend, Alex!
great post. My husband would buy his books. Once he was done with them he would sale them.
I did the same during undergrad. It's just depressing to only get back 50% (or less) of what you pay!
Renting my books was awesome in university! And right now it is really blowing up. You should recommend Chegg.com. They offer pretty good deals too. Thanks for sharing 🙂
http://neatly-packaged.blogspot.com/
I totally will, thank you for the recommendation! 🙂
Nice*
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Greetings <3
pequenaflordemaracuja.blogspot.pt
Sure, I'll check out your page now! Thanks for stopping by 🙂
Renting your books is definitely the way to go, especially when it helps a great cause!
Right?! No brainer!
I totally understand why you chose this kind of charity. Not only will you get to help those children who are unfortunately born with facial deformities, you’ll also get to save a significant amount of money in textbook expenses. This is truly a great cause, thanks for sharing it to us!
Valerie Casey @ Studemont Group CFS