With gas prices increasing, college students are looking for ways to save money without having to work two or three jobs. Textbooks can also be expensive, but thanks to websites like Amazon, BookFinder, BookRenter, and Chegg, this is no longer a problem.

Amazon.com has long been used to buy top quality items at reasonable prices, or to sell that old junk you just can’t seem to get rid of anywhere else. Often, several people are selling the same thing at different prices, and they also provide descriptions so you can choose whichever seems like the best deal. Sometimes free shipping is included.

BookFinder.com is similar to Amazon, except that you can only find books there, 150 million books, to be exact. 

Head of BookFinder’s Public Relations, Scott Laming, described the website as “a price comparison search engine, meaning that we search dozens of bookselling websites on behalf of our users and then sort these findings allowing the user to find the bookseller offering the best possible price for the book they require.”

 
“The user is then able to buy the book directly from the bookseller. So we do not end up caring which bookseller/renter you purchase from, we just want to find you the best deal possible.” Laming said.

BookFinder also gives the option of renting a book, rather than having to buy something a student may only need for a semester or less.
 

BookRenter.com and Chegg.com are relatively new websites that allow college students to rent the books they need.

BookRenter has five rental periods to choose from, ranging from 30 to 125 days. And you’re allowed to write and highlight in the book you rent, but the website cautions, “just don’t go crazy!” 

When you’re done with the book, simply repackage it and send it back, or drop it off at a local store shown on the website. Standard shipping is free to and from your house.

With every order, BookRenter donates to First Book, a non-profit organization dedicated to giving books to children in need.
 

“I think renting books is a great option opposed to buying books,” said Mathematics major Jennifer Oertel. “The books are usually in great condition and it’s about $20-$40 cheaper than buying books. And with the extra money we can buy other school supplies. But the problem with renting books is that if you don’t return the books in time it costs a lot when they’re late.”
 

Chegg.com is very similar to BookRenter, but with a few add-ons.

In Spring 2010, Student Monitor Lifestyle and Media report rated Chegg the “#1 source of college textbook rentals.”

Chegg appears to be more college student friendly, as it offers help with classes and homework, besides renting and selling books and eTextbooks.

Just put in the name of your school then search for a book. The results will show what courses at your school require that book, as well as the other books those courses require. Then, during checkout, the option is given to donate a dollar towards planting trees. So far, Chegg has planted over five million trees.

The site is funded by investors, and recently raised $25 million dollars in equity.

Music major Francesca Reutzel said, “I prefer to buy used copies so that I can take notes inside, and highlight the text.”

After being introduced to BookRenter and Chegg, Reutzel said, “I think renting is a great, cheap option, and I might do this in the future. Books are crazy expensive.”

Homework Help is a corner of Chegg that offers just what the name implies. Submit a question any time of night or day, and get an answer from an expert within two hours.

Chegg also released a free flashcard app in February, which has already helped dozens of students prepare for exams.
 

“With regard to our increased outreach efforts, our goal is to save students time, money and help them get smarter,” said Chegg Communications Manager Angela Pontarolo, “so we will continue to help students connect with their peers, educators, content and services when they need it most.”
 

Biology major Luis Yataco said, “I think it’s a good idea because even though DVC is implementing a rent system as well, it gives us as students the ability to have more options and get more for our money.”