Headed For College: Textbooks

When you buy your textbooks, it will seem like they charge by the pound - and they are heavy! Plan on spending at least $100 per class on books. Try not to think about the fact that you're only going to use them for a few months.

If a book is relevant to your career and you plan on using it for reference later in life, it might make sense to buy a new book. For the majority of your books, which you won't need after the last day of class, you probably want to buy them used.

Buying used books is like buying fruit - each one is different so make your selection carefully. Not everyone knows how to highlight. Sometimes the previous owner has outlined the important parts of the text for you. Other times, it looks like they dipped it in yellow paint. If you're going to shop at a used bookstore, shop early or you might get stuck with a bad copy. Or worse, you might have to buy the book new!

Before you head to the bookstore, check with friends and neighbors to see if they have the book you need. You might work out a better deal for both of you if you buy it directly from them. Plus, they may even be willing to throw in their class notes for free. Make sure the book is the exact book you need - the same title and the same edition.

Buying books online is another option. But consider the shipping cost of the book as well as the timing of the delivery. You don't want to go to your first few classes bookless.