How are you all paying for books? Forum

[Cupidity]

So, not sure how it works everywhere, but at least at the school I will be attending, loan money gets dispersed a few days after the start of classes. It's all I can do to cover the upfront on my housing until I get those sweet loan dollars, how are you all buying your books?

[SuichiKurama]

I've been sweating bullets over this same issue!

[Cupidity]

I've been sweating bullets over this same issue!

Ok, I'm glad I'm not alone.

In UG I just faked it for about two weeks or shared with a better equipped friend until I got them, I imagine at a TLS that isn't an option.

[SuichiKurama]

I've been sweating bullets over this same issue!

Ok, I'm glad I'm not alone.

In UG I just faked it for about two weeks or shared with a better equipped friend until I got them, I imagine at a TLS that isn't an option.

LOL that's exactly what I did. Heck, I didn't even buy the books for many of my UG classes--I just borrowed them from friends who already took the class! For novels etc. I got many of them from the library.

[traehekat]

Iowa lets us purchase books and puts the charges on the student bill that includes tuition and fees, which is paid when you get your loan money. If you haven't I would check if that is an option for you. Otherwise you may have to do a credit card, which honestly isn't even a bad thing (this is assuming your school allows you to purchase books with a credit card).

[Oban]

credit cards? savings? beg parents for money? Don't buy them till after you get the loan money?

[quakeroats]

[mapnoren]

Can you not pay for them with your student ID card, which will go to your school balance?

[Cupidity]

I don't have a credit card, fml.

[James Bond]

I don't have a credit card, fml.

Get one

[Deuce]

I've been sweating bullets over this same issue!

Ok, I'm glad I'm not alone.

In UG I just faked it for about two weeks or shared with a better equipped friend until I got them, I imagine at a TLS that isn't an option.

Going into my final UG year and this is exactly what I do. Aid is disbursed a week after class begins, and I'd rather not pay double at the school bookstore and defer the payment, so I wait until that $$$ comes in and hit up Amazon asap.

[im_blue]

Don't forget Amazon now has free 2-day shipping with no minimum order for all college students with a .edu address.

[MrKappus]

I don't have a credit card, fml.

Welcome to adulthood. Go get a credit card.

[trialjunky]

Many colleges let you charge it to your account before disburstment

[maine08080]

I don't have a credit card, fml.

Got a checking account? A debit card is good.

But then again you need to build credit down the road.

[paz]

it boggles my mind to think of an adult who does not have a credit card. wow.

[dominkay]

it boggles my mind to think of an adult who does not have a credit card. wow.

Better than some kid in their early twenties with tens of thousands of dollars in credit card debt.

[Rudy]

it boggles my mind to think of an adult who does not have a credit card. wow.

Better than some kid in their early twenties with tens of thousands of dollars in credit card debt.

But not as good as some kid in their twenties with tens of thousands of dollars of credit.

[angioletto]

it boggles my mind to think of an adult who does not have a credit card. wow.

I had a couple in my early 20's. I paid them off and canceled them. I just prefer to pay for things with cash.

And that is what I am doing for books. I have been saving money all summer.

[nealric]

I paid them off and canceled them. I just prefer to pay for things with cash.

Well, that's the issue right there. Never run a credit card balance. Collect the frequent flier miles and/or cashback and reap the benefits intended for those who do run a balance. Just think of your credit card as a debit card where you have to manually transfer the money for your purchases each month.

I get paid $300+ a year to use my credit card and have never paid a dime in interest or fees.

[quakeroats]

I paid them off and canceled them. I just prefer to pay for things with cash.

Well, that's the issue right there. Never run a credit card balance. Collect the frequent flier miles and/or cashback and reap the benefits intended for those who do run a balance. Just think of your credit card as a debit card where you have to manually transfer the money for your purchases each month.

I get paid $300+ a year to use my credit card and have never paid a dime in interest or fees.

+1

There's nothing like 2% back on everything you spend.

[Deuce]

I've been thinking of getting a CC for a long time and running no balance on it for many of the reasons listed, but have no idea where to begin. What's a good card for a student?

[hiromoto45]

I've been sweating bullets over this same issue!

[WestOfTheRest]

I plan on paying for books with the rolls of hundreds that I would normally use to wipe my ass. I know, my bathroom is going to be a little less luxurious, but I'll have to learn to live with 2-ply.

[catharsis]

paying for my books with my savings since financial aid wont be in yet. then i'll take my financial aid money and reimburse myself back lol.