I love books. All books, textbooks even. Purchasing a new book is kind of guaranteeing that you’ll know more than you do before you bought the book, that’s the whole point right? But excitement for new knowledge can quickly be squelched upon learning the exorbitant cost of textbooks.

For reasons unbeknownst to me, tuition for a class does not usually include the required text.Wouldn’t that be nice? So, that leaves all of us students with a mission: Find the books.

Now, the easiest way to complete this mission might be to walk to the bookstore with your semester schedule and have the friendly sales associates help you locate your reading materials. But there are other options that could save you money. I’ve been a student for a few years and have learned a few tricks that have saved me hundreds of dollars.

First off, find out what you need. The sooner you can find your books, the greater chance the cheapest options will still be available. This also ensures that you can have your books before the start of class.

Be sure to ask your teachers if an earlier edition would be all right to use. This is by far the most cost effective method, if available. Textbook companies use forced obsolescence by issuing new editions of books, even if there might not be new information to cover.  Often it’s just a few page numbers that differ between editions. So always ask if it’s OK to look for an older edition. Your teacher may even know which pages numbers are different. However, it is important to check so that you’re properly prepared for class.

Once you know your titles, check online for better prices. Amazon.com, TextbooksRus.com, and BarnesandNoble.com are all great websites to check out. It’s easiest to search by ISBN.

Amazon has almost everything, so it’s a good way to find out the ISBN of a book if you only know the title. TextbooksRus.com is my favorite.  It’s often the cheapest and they have the best buyback values I’ve ever seen. I bought a $100 art history book from them and I sold it back for $60. High-fives to whoever is running that place.

Save the planet and buy used copies of the books you need. If available, used copies are always cheaper, no matter what site or store you go to. They are also the first to go. Amazon and Barnes and Noble offer used copies from third-party sellers for even better prices.

Renting textbooks is another option, as are e-books, which are online versions of the textbooks. Chegg.com, Amazon.com and BarnesandNoble.com offer renting options for textbooks. I personally have never done this, but it’s a great way to save money. However, it adds the extra responsibility of getting the book back on time, something I’d be likely to forget.  Also, if something happens to the book, you’ll be liable for the entire cost.

If you need the newest edition of the book immediately, check the library for a reserved copy. While it might be problematic for the semester, it’s a good option for getting that first chapter read while you’re waiting for your textbook to ship.

College is expensive enough as it is. By implementing these strategies, there’s potential to save hundreds of dollars per semester, dollars better spent on other things.