Parenting tips for saving money on textbooks

It’s no surprise that college is expensive. But there are new ways for fathers and students to save money on one significant learning expense: textbooks.

"Publishers are finding more solutions to meet three critical goals – to help improve student success rates, to provide a range of options that meet all students’ budgets and to help schools control their costs," said Bruce Hildebrand, executive director for higher education at the Association of American Publishers.

Among some of the ways to save on course materials is purchasing e-textbooks through publisher websites and sites like CourseSmart.com. These electronic editions save students (and their parents!) an average of about $60 per title.

Buying books electronically one chapter at a time with websites like CengageBrain.com is also a money-saving option. This ensures students only buy what they need when they need it.

Shopping around for deals on required textbooks in different formats can also be budget-friendly. Unbound, black and white, audio, paperback and three-hole punched binder editions can save students as much as 50 percent.

Some publishers are also offering rentals of popular printed textbooks with savings ranging from 40 to 70 percent off retail prices.

Buying used textbooks is another way to save on this necessary college expense.