One of the events I look forward to is our almost-annual, sometimes-twice-a-year Sister Retreat. My sisters-in-law and I “retreat” to the college town of whichever niece or nephew is graduating that year to shower that person with a little “auntly” affection.
We have visited Eastern Illinois University ( my alma mater), SIU-Edwardsville, Northwestern ( I had to miss that one. Darn.), Indiana University, and the University of Illinois, several times ( My favorite-Go Illini!).
This year, we were back in Champaign celebrating Tom. And boy did we have a good time!
In a whirlwind-not- quite 48 hours, we…..
…..went to a free Sidewalk Prophets concert (thanks WBGL)
…..ate
…..talked
…..played games
…..talked
…..practiced Holy Yoga
…..talked
…..shopped till we dropped
…..talked
…..ate
…..talked
…..and something we had never done on a college visit before…..
Or they would try to resell the books they did use and get pennies on the dollar.
I have lugged heavy textbooks all over the house trying to figure out where to put them because I wanted to save them for the boys in case they ever needed them.
Guess what? They never wanted them.
Colossal waste of cash.
I love the idea that you can rent the books for all the general coursework, but then when your kids are really studying in their field, buying textbooks might be just the thing to do.
If you know someone who will be hitting the books in the fall, you might want to suggest they check out Campus Book Rentals or their sister site rentback.com, that offers the opportunity for students to sell their books to other students.
That $500 might be better spent on Jimmy Johns, or pizza, or a couple of great pairs of cowboys boots to wear line dancing!
This is my first ever sponsored post. I promise this will not turn into a blog of one advertisement after another. I really thought this might come in handy for someone.
That company sounds like a great solution for those expensive text books! I LOVE all the fun you gals have together and that first picture is priceless. What fun to take up line dancing -xo Diana
You mentioned Champaign and now I am homesick. 🙂
One year in college, I kept putting off buying a couple of books…as the semester wore on, it dawned on me we weren't using them…and NEVER DID. I was so happy I had not bought them. This is a good program. I'll probably post it on FB.
That is just so sweet what you and the sister-in-laws do for nieces and nephews.
How sweet that all of the Aunties shower some love on the graduate. What a lovely idea.
You were in my neck of the woods at one of those graduations!
Thankfully my alma mater rented textbooks. I had to pay a textbook rental fee, but it was much cheaper than having to buy all my textbooks!
The cost of those books used to just infuriate me! What a great site! I love that part of Illinois too!
what a great idea and looks like y'all had a great time. love those boots!
both of my sons schools over rentals and it is definitely the way to go
sounds like a fun weekend
love the boots
brett
Cute picture of boots! Book rentals sound like a great plan for books you don't want to keep. We got back pennies on the dollar for the ones we sold back after purchase…
I haven't been line dancing in ages! What a fun experience 🙂
How fun is this! I am putting this book rental in my back pocket as the thought of college expenses makes me so nervous! Oh and I too am an EIU grad! SO glad you all had such an awesome time! Sounds like a real hoot!
Hi Susan! Wow, how did you come home, and not be exhausted? You sure sound like you had a great time.
I think anyone with college-age kids would be happy to have this information. Books are just insanely expensive!
Peace in Christ,
Ceil
I've used Campus Book Rental now since January, and absolutely love their service =D Glad you're sharing it with others!