Although Cakes is just starting preschool and Cupcake is only 6 months old, my husband and I have already begun saving for college. As someone that was burdened by the weight of student loans for so long, I know first hand how much financial assistance helps. I hope that not only will my girls both want to attend college, but that we’ll be able to have enough saved up so that they won’t have to anguish quite as much as I did over how to pay for their education.
I know that with the exorbitant costs of education outpacing the rate of inflation that it’s unlikely we’ll be able to fully fund both girls’ college expenses. Even if they miraculously find their college educations fully funded through our contribution, scholarships, and from working, there’s no reason to squander the money away.
Via Lifechanger on Creative Commons
One way I plan to help ensure they are able to stretch any money they do obtain is to encourage my children not to purchase text books from the bookstore. By utilizing online resources such as renting textbooks through a service such as CampusBookRentals, they could save anywhere from 40-90% over bookstore prices.
I wasn’t even aware of textbook rentals when I was attending college. Renting a textbook just seems like such a better alternative than purchasing even a used text. I wish I had known about this for my Nonverbal Communication course because I could have saved myself 44%. A textbook for less than $100 is usually a steal but less than $35? And free shipping each way? That sounds pretty great and could easily fit into a college student’s budget. I hope this company is still thriving in 15 years and my girls can take advantage of it!
How did you pay for college or help stretch your budget further?
Seriously, the cost of a semeter’s worth textbooks rivals that of a college course itself. It’s insane! Anything to help is welcome.
This sounds like a perfect place to save money. I was taking online courses but the textbooks were included in the costs. I’ll have to remember places like this when my kids are off to college.
I can’t believe anyone still buys books at the college book store! Certainly not me. I’m not made of money.
That’s a good idea, to rent the books esp on things you really don’t need to keep or would sell back anyway. Then you don’t have to worry about if they won’t buy them back etc… I’m going to have my hubby check out the site.
Books are insanely expensive. My husband just finished up his masters and I swear the books cost more than the tuition.
You are so smart to start saving for their college now! I agree textbooks are so expensive. My daughter just found a couple for her masters classes on amazon that saved her a lot. I didn’t know about the rental books. Thanks for the info.
cake is such a cute baby name.
I agree with you. If I would’ve been in the situation, I’d also encourage my kids to study hard at the same time work extra hours for them to learn how to be independent and get the feel of the real world. That’s for their part, for mine I’d look for other options or suggestions in the net to cut big on my expenses. Of course, saving is always a need before they reach the right age for college. It’s how you make of your life that matters most in this world not what others would have to say to go ahead with whatever viable plan you have in mind.
I wish there were book rentals when I was in college! I remember spending so much on my textbooks and then they would always find some reason not to buy them back at the end of the semester. ;(