Anyone who's been to college knows that the cost of completing your assigned reading can get pretty absurd. The average student spends about $1,200 per year on books and supplies, according to The College Board. With that type of money, you could finance your next spring vacation or several months of rent.
Going through college spending very little or no money on textbooks isn't just a fantasy. A surprising number of people have cheated the system and worked their way around buying books. Here are some tips from education experts, regular, thrifty college students, and alumni on how to avoid dishing out more funds on top of your already unreasonable tuition.