College Life with a Budget - The Blog
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Save on Textbooks - Textbook Budgeting 101
Textbooks are a major expense for students in particular. If a student is working his way through college, budget demands can often be severe. Whilst the work experience is useful and in many cases provides an additional dimension to education, the idea of having to work for a day at minimum wage just to buy a textbook can be very sobering. Professional firms, public bodies, universities and libraries might buy in bulk and get discounts, but for the single book buyer – the typical student, say – textbook purchase can be a major expense.
Beg, borrow or steal – those are a few of the answers to the student textbook problem. Theft of textbooks is prevalent in many colleges, but it is definitely not a recommended way to ease student budget pressures. Borrowing from the college library is another solution, but when there are maybe five loan copies and thirty students needing it, then it is clearly a problem.
Begging? Well, let’s call that sharing, when maybe a group of students agree between them to split a year’s textbook list and buy a couple each, to circulate within their cohort. That is just a private library arrangement, but problems arise at exam time when everyone in the group wants to borrow. All library arrangements have this problem.
With Arts courses – for example English Literature – then much of the course may revolve around analysis of fiction and many of these works will be easily available second-hand, or inexpensively online in paperback format. Many classics are public domain and free on ereaders. For buyers trying to save on textbooks when their subjects are in rapidly changing fields, then it is much more difficult, as the number of used textbooks on the market will be reduced. Many students do hang on to their textbooks after graduation, which further compounds the supply on the used-book market.
That’s why renting books has become big business on campus.
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Chegg Coupon 2011 - Get a Coupon Code and Save Big!
So you already know about Chegg.com being the #1 textbook rental site on the web. Their prices are extremely hard to beat but what really sets them apart this year is their Chegg coupon 2011 discounts being offered for all customers. Many people don't even know about these great deals and just check out without even thinking twice. Its really quite simple though, with a few quick steps you can easily locate the best coupon available and take advantage easily accessible deals.
How To Find Your Chegg Coupon in 2011
1. Visit the Chegg.com website and find your textbooks for the term
2. Add all of the books to your cart and sign in
3. Proceed to check out and stop on the order total screen
4. Locate the coupon code box on the left side of the screen
5. Open your favorite search engine and type in "2011 Chegg Coupon"
6. Skim through the top results and check the codes on the Chegg screen
7. Use the best available code and check out
Its really not very complicated and should take you all of about 2 minutes. In these easy steps you can reduce the price of your textbooks anywhere from 5-15% off. When your shopping for bargain textbook prices, the additional discount can really make a big difference. So don't be lazy, take the extra time to find a code and save the money.
Are there always codes available?
Yes! For the most part, you will always be able to find some sort of promotional deal. Just make sure you take the time to search. If you forget, than you are voluntarily spending money than needed. As a college student unnecessary expenses are the last thing you need.
With most online commerce sites there is a coupon system that can be used. Just do a quick search and you will often times be surprised at the results. Well thanks for reading and good luck renting your textbooks from Chegg!
Grab the current code...
Use the following link and get a 2011 Chegg coupon promotional deal. After clicking the link you will be taken to a page with all available deals for the 2011 school terms. Big savings are just a copy and paste away, so don't miss out!
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Tips for Paying Back Student Loans - How to Leave College without Being Forever in Debt
Although student loans can be very helpful to some, they can also be quite troublesome to others especially when it comes to paying back a large balance. Here are some tips for paying back student loans in order to help youths leave college without being in debt.
1. Do not leave a large unpaid balance – Although student loans have generally looser repayment schedules, it is important not to abuse this perk. While it may seem very helpful and convenient in the beginning to be able to defer payments, regret may come at the end when one sees how much one actually owes. In order to avoid this, it is important to make payments whenever one can. If it is possible, one can even try making partial payments every now and then, just in order to lessen the payment load by a little. Keep in mind that with every payment one makes, that is less money one owes and, conversely, with every payment one skips, that is more money one will have to pay back in the future.
2. Save whenever you can – Even if student loans are designed to help students pay for their educational expenses, it is important to keep in mind that one still has to save. By saving money even when one does not feel the need to, one will have extra money to use for repaying out-standing balances. There are different and multiple methods by which one can save money throughout college; for example, one can take packed lunches and snacks rather than buying at the cafeteria, one can take a carpool to school instead of one’s own private vehicle and one can rent textbooks rather than buying new ones every semester. Through small yet dedicated efforts to save, one is sure to make loan payments on time, every time.
3. Take on a part-time job – Although it may be tricky taking on a part-time job while one is still in school, it is something that can certainly be done; What is most important is choosing the right job for you. Do your best to find a job that has flexible working hours so that it does not interrupt your studies and cause your grades to fluctuate. Good options for a part-time job would include freelance writing and peer tutoring. One could also consider putting up an online store and selling clothes or other items on the internet. Regardless of one’s choice, it is important that the job fits as it should, as an extra source of income to pay back student loans and not a complete replacement for school itself.
Sunday, August 14, 2011
CourseSmart Goes Mobile - Now Available on the Android, iPad, and iPhone
Many sites online provide students with these eTextbooks and CourseSmart.com is among the best of them. Containing an eTextbook library with over 90% of all textbooks in print, CourseSmart is the site that is most capable of giving students the reading material they want and need. By simply typing keywords or titles into the search box, one can find eTextbooks in nearly any publication, edition and possibly even language.
CourseSmart has been so successful in providing students with their eTextbooks not only because of the wide library that they hold but also because of the prices they offer. Offering prices as low as 60% cheaper than standard textbooks, eTextbooks from CourseSmart are hard to say no to; especially because students know that they are not only paying for the reading material but also for the service. With CourseSmart, the downloads are cleaner, smoother and faster, giving one his entire
eTextbook in no more than 5 minutes.
In addition to all this, CourseSmart eTextbooks can be accessed anywhere, anytime, even when one is not connected to the internet. One can also copy and paste texts, print pages and even send information to other students and classmates. You can also grab a coupon that will drastically reduce the cost of your books. Off course its not hard to imagine that we are heavy advocates of this step in the textbook process. For the convenience, the accessibility and for less than half the price of standard textbooks, eTextbooks from CourseSmart are surely a step into the future.
Textbook Rentals for iPad - Do Tablets Hold the Future for Cheap Textbook Buying?
While there are some who are resisting the flow of the trend, others are irresistibly being swept along with it, unable to say no to the instant, practical and easy charm that all digital things seem to offer. Because of this, textbook rentals for iPad are becoming more and more popular. In order to determine whether or not tablets hold the future for cheap textbook buying, one must first know all its advantages and disadvantages.
First, the advantages: with an eTextbook, one has instant access to any needed reading material. One will not have to go out and look for new, updated editions in any large yet under-stocked bookstores. With a few typed words and a flick of the finger, any and every textbook is most likely to be made available to you. Also, having eTextbooks means no lugging around heavy stacks of books because in one lightweight digital device, one can have an entire library waiting. Lastly, there is also the undeniable advantage of eTextbook rentals being much more affordable than purchasing or even renting books in print.
On the other hand, having an eTextbook instead of a printed textbook is also said to have its share of disadvantages. First of all, one must be connected to the internet in order to access these eTextbooks. This means that unless one is at home or at school, one might have to pay extra in order to get an internet connection just to access the material. Also, with eTextbooks, one runs the risks of running out of battery, software glitches and crashing. In addition to this, some reviews for these eTextbooks complain about the poor maintenance and unresponsiveness of the technical support teams.
Having taken a look at both sides, it is difficult to say whether or not eTextbooks are a positive step into the future. Nonetheless, they open up a new avenue for learning and education that definitely appeals to some—something which, at the end of the day, cannot be all too bad.
Thursday, August 11, 2011
eTextbooks for Mobile Devices such as the Android, iPhone and iPad Aim To Help Students Cut Textbook Costs
In this modern day and age, standard, heavy and expensive textbooks are slowly being nudged aside in order to make room for eTextbooks. eTextbooks are basically downloadable textbooks made for mobile devices such as the android, iPhone and iPad. eTextbooks share with standard textbooks all things of content and substance, they leave out no words or prefaces or editor’s notes; what the two do differ in is size, weight and of course, cost.
Since eTextbooks are digital files, they take up virtually no space other than in the chip of a single lightweight mobile device. eTextbooks are hence much easier to carry around and store than their standard textbook counterparts. Also, because eTextbooks require no printing and no publishing, they are much more affordable and hence easier on any student’s budget.
Apart from being practical and economical, eTextbooks are also considered to be extremely environmental. While the making of them requires practically nothing in terms of natural resources, the disposal and decomposition of them occurs instantly, with the flick of a finger. In this sense, eTextbooks are not only student-friendly but they are also earth-friendly.
Given these reasons, eTextbooks are a great way for the younger generations of students to save money and learn through a medium that is more in tune with them. Catering to the fast-paced, highly technological appetites of students today, eTextbooks may be exactly what they need.
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
CengageBrain for iPad - Browsing Your eTextbooks from Cengage on Your iPad
For these reasons, eTextbooks have slowly been replacing standard textbooks for many college students of today. Because of their popularity, supplementary programs and applications have also been created to further facilitate and maximize the use of the eTextbook. Among the most widely known of these supplementary applications is Cengagebrain.
Created mainly for iPhone, iPad and android devices, Cengagebrain is an application that enforces the saying “study smarter, not harder.” Cengagebrain allows students to access textbook specific study tools such as quizzes, puzzles and other forms of review. With a catalog system containing over 1000 titles under dozens of topics, the Cengagebrain user need only to type into the search box in order to find what he is looking for. Cengagebrain also gives the user the power to buy or rent the books within its catalog.
Making studying easier yet possibly even more effective, Cengagebrain is an application that truly caters to students looking to excel. It not only helps them remember, review and retain what they have studied but it does so in a language that speaks clearly to them—the language of technology. Given that the youths of today are so perfectly in-tune with all things digital, online and technological, Cengagebrain can keep them interested and always learning.
To get the best possible deals on your eBooks, use a coupon to take advantage of any special promotions being offered by the company. The link will take you to a list of deals updated regularly from sources all over the web.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Abebooks vs. Amazon – Comparing the top textbook market places
The two most popular textbook market places would be Abebooks and Amazon. What many people do not know, however is that Abebooks and Amazon are not rivals in the textbook market place; Abebooks is actually a subsidiary of Amazon. The main difference between the two is that while Amazon sells generally anything one can think of, from textbooks to toys to music memorabilia, they specializes in dealing with textbooks alone. Also, Abebooks is unique in the sense that it does not just sell textbooks but it purchases them as well.
Abebooks is actually known to be a very big help to students looking to save or make money because it helps them do exactly that. Offering competitive prices for old and used textbooks, Abebooks allows students to get rid of their old textbooks and earn some money at the same time. As a special bonus, Abebooks even takes care of the shipping costs of purchased books by making them eligible for free shipping.
Another great thing about Abebooks is that they purchase textbooks from all over the globe, not just in the United States of America. In fact, the payments made for the purchased books are guaranteed to be made in the currency of the country they were from for the convenience of the seller. A strength given to them by Amazon, Abebooks is considered a major contender in textbook marketplaces.
In order to make a textbook purchase or sale, the process is quite simple. For sales for example, one must input the textbooks into the sites, wait for a suitable quote then have it shipped off. Free shipping labels can be printed out during this process. When the textbook has arrived at its final destination, the payment is sent and the process is complete.
In conclusion our Abebooks vs Amazon comparison shows that Although there are a handful of textbook market places, Abebooks is certainly one to consider for those who are looking for easy and fruitful transactions. Catering to students worldwide, visit their site and have a look at how Abebooks can help you today. That about wraps it up, the only thing to remember is to head over to our coupon site and take advantage of an available Abebooks Coupon Code that you can apply to your order cost. Its a simple step that will help you save even more cash on your books. Good Luck!
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Top Textbook Rental Sites – Which should you choose?
Easy, cost-effective and practical, more and more students are choosing to rent rather than purchase their yearly textbook requirements. Due to this growing trend, textbook rental sites have grown in number as well; but though the plethora of options makes renting textbooks more accessible, it does not necessarily make the choice easier. For students new to renting textbooks from textbook rental sites, the vast number of textbook rental sites can make it quite confusing. To make one’s choice easier, one should know the basic things that make one textbook rental site better than the other.
Offhand, one should do a little bit of research. Blogs, polls and testimonial sites usually offer useful information, at times even ranking top textbook rental sites along with detailed descriptions of the rankings. Also, one should note the things one is willing to pay for and give up when it comes to renting textbooks. For example, if one is looking to find newer textbooks, one should be ready to pay a little bit more. On the other hand, if one is looking for cheaper prices, one should be prepared to get older, slightly more used copies.
Textbook rental sites also vary in terms of the collection of textbooks they have, as well as the time periods within which you can rent them out. Be sure to check the different options each textbook rental site offers to see which services suits one the best. Many textbook rental sites also offer regular promotions ad discount rates for students looking to cut their costs even more. If caught at the right time, these sites can help one slash an average of about 10-15% of their rental fees off.
With just a little bit of effort, one is sure to find the right textbook rental site. If in doubt, one should turn to the lists of top textbook rental sites and simply go choose among those; although they may be a little bit more expensive than other, less popular sites, one can be assured that one’s money will not be put to waste.
Monday, July 18, 2011
College Expenses List - How To Get Your Expenses In Order
Here is a college expenses list to help you get your expenses in order:
1. Tuition: without a doubt, tuition expenses will be the most costly of all. For those struggling to make full payments, most colleges offer alternative payment plans that can afford one more time. Also, if one foresees some difficulties making payments, one can apply for a scholarship or aid program.
2. Textbooks: although the price of a single textbook is generally affordable, having to buy 3 or 4 of them every semester can make expenses go up. As alternatives, one can opt to purchase textbooks from second-hand bookstores or rent them from online textbook rental sites. Purchasing eTextbooks on digital devices is also another option.
3. Supplies: one’s expenses for supplies can either go up or down depending on how smartly one shops and maintains items. It is best to purchase good-quality pieces for items that are essential and will be used for a long time such as a school bag or school shoes. Although these good-quality items will initially be more expensive than other options, the time it takes before you actually have to replace them makes up for the cost. The items that one can choose to save on are the pens, notebooks and pads of paper.
4. Food: just like with supplies, food expenses can go up or down. If one chooses to purchase meals, snacks and beverages every day, the expenses will surely rise especially if some of these meals, snacks and beverages are purchased in restaurants or eateries outside school. If, on the other hand, one chooses to pack food and snacks as well as take along a water bottle, food expenses will be very minimal. If one does choose to purchase some meals and still save some cash, these meals should be purchased on campus as prices as generally cheaper in cafeterias than in restaurants.
5. Transportation: getting a student to and from school will definitely cost money. In order to save, one can assess the different public transportation options available or perhaps even form a local carpooling system with nearby friends.
College Budgeting Tips for 2011
Keep track of your money: simple yet extremely effective, writing down the amount of money that comes into and goes out of one’s wallet can be a very big help. Most of the time, people are not conscious of the amount of money that they spend in a day, especially if it is spent in little amounts at a time; what happens is that while they are spending a few bucks here and a few bucks there, they never realize how much money they have spent in total. By keeping track of your expenditures, you can make yourself more aware of it and hence more in control.
Rent textbooks: as important as textbooks are to one’s educational experience, one need not purchase new textbooks every semester. Instead, one can opt to rent them from campus stores or online rental sites. Easy to do and very practical, renting one’s textbooks are a great way to save some cash.
Pack your own food: although it may be tempting to purchase food at a nearby eatery or at the school cafeteria, bringing packed lunch and a water bottle can be a big help on the budget. One should keep in mind that packing food need not be a daily practice, unless one is truly trying to save up. Otherwise, one can simply choose two or three days out of the week wherein food will be packed and treat oneself to purchased meals on the other days.
Get a part-time job: though college life seldom leaves time for standard part-time jobs, there are many alternative job options to explore, especially online. Using the internet and just a little bit of effort, one can make a substantial amount of extra cash. Whether it be selling old items, freelance writing or basic tutoring, taking an online job is something one should definitely give a try.