I went through numerous years of college (a double-degree, and MS except for *sigh* the thesis) and bought books only in my freshman year through ignorance. Most current textbooks are in the University library. If you’re fast or talk to the professor before the semester begins to find out which text s/he is using, you can reserve it for checkout at the beginning of the semester. Sometimes, libraries keep texts in the reference section – well, you can read/make notes in the library. I understand its a great place to study :-) I even had one professor with double copies of the text he was using – he loaned me one for the semester with the stipulation that I wouldn’t get a grade until I returned it. Occasionally, you can find some texts in public libraries as well. Usually there is little or no different between editions- – and when there is a difference, the information is usually the same. Especially with the 27 books assigned in literature classes. Don’t do this with math books where problems are assigned out of the book for grading- – problems are usually the only things changed in math/physics type books. On the other hand, I went through one of my math courses with no book because even though he assigned problems from the book, he never picked up the papers. As long as I was on subject and could do the work demonstrated in class and using an old text on the subject I was fine.
Also, I never purchased a textbook until the first assigned reading. I never purchase a textbook until and unless the professor says “The final will be 100% from the book”- – which is very rare. Usually the say “from class discussion”.

Once I ‘rented’ a textbook from the student next to me who stated he was going to spend the weekend doing something besides studying. I paid a minimal fee for ‘renting’ the book for the weekend.

These actions saved me a stack of cash during my college years. And, with judicial use of the credit card, I still ended up with a good credit history.

I also used the cards to buy Christmas presents, as I knew I’d work during Christmas break and would only charge as much as I planned to make over those 2 or 3 weeks. That way I had the money up front, but was able to pay it all off when the bill came.

By the time I graduated I had a $9,000 limit on one card, great credit, and a better understanding of “real world” finances.