Local Alums Give Miami College Students a Break on Textbooks at TheBookPost.com

Miami, FL (PRWEB) August 24, 2007

Students of FIU have long been at the mercy of local/campus textbook retailers, having to face high prices at the beginning of the semester, and low buy-back offers at the end. But Patricia and Roberto Espinoza are working to change that. Their free service, http://www.thebookpost.com, available to FIU and other regional students, offers a bulletin board format that allows users to browse textbooks for sale by fellow students, or to post their used texts for others to purchase.

Interested students exchange information via email or phone, and deal directly with one another. The service is free to use, and the student-to-student format avoids the need for shipping costs or retail markups, making it the best textbook deal available in the FIU area.

Rene, an FIU student who has used the service, raved that "I found the book I needed cheap and got it the same day;" while classmate Elisa A. noted that she sold her book within two days. Connecting students with each other not only avoids lines and frustration at the local textbook stores, but also tends to build community in the area. The service isn't limited to FIU students, though, as all Miami area students are welcome to post and purchase.

"We wanted to create this website for students to get a break on their textbook budget, this is our way to support students at our Alma Mater and those in the rest of colleges in Miami," notes Patricia. Both her and husband Roberto are alumni of FIU, and currently run CPC Computer Consultants, Inc., in Miami.

CPC Computer Consultants is a full-service web hosting, web design and e-commerce provider, and specializes in serving individuals and small businesses locally. TheBookPost.com was developed and is hosted via CPCCCI.com.

TheBookPost.com offers a user-friendly format, along with secure login and quick downloads. The majority of the book listings include a list price, asking price and even a photo. Returning FIU and area students are urged to check http://www.TheBookPost.com before laying out hundreds of dollars at local textbook retailers this fall.

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Costs of Attending College Soar; CheapCollegeDude.com offers Solutions, Tips

Nine Mile Falls, WA (PRWEB) August 19, 2008

Congress is currently working to pass legislation to help reduce the costs of attending college. Currently the average college student spends around $ 900 per year on textbooks, in addition to the sharply raising cost of tuition. While experts debate how effective Congress will be in reducing the burden of the average college student, others, like CheapCollegeDude.com, aim to help college students save money and live on a tighter budget right now.

With the launch of the new site, CheapCollegeDude.com is providing college students with a plethora of ways to save money, locate cheap college textbooks, find free or discounted software, get clothing bargains, and even create cheap meals that; the site claims are "dirt cheap" and "semi-healthy." The site is also trying to ease their visitor's financials burdens by slating to offer a monthly $ 100 contest for students who offer their own tips on how to live well on a college budget.

"I learned to live on a tight budget in college, years ago. Now it's my son's turn to do it. And he better do it well as prices have skyrocketed and I'm footing part of the bill," says Scott Chaney, creator of CheapCollegeDude.com. "Most college students could use information on how to live on a budget, stretch the few dollars they do have, and especially find deals on the items they need. We try to provide this sort of useful information in a practical and sometimes humorous way."

Finding the best deals on used textbooks is just one of the hot-ticket items on the site. They also discuss the pros and cons of various phone service options, including using VoIP. And the 'cheap recipes' section should help those living on limited budgets who are cooking in their college dorm or apartments. The site even has multiple ideas on how to liven up "the basic college staple" Top Ramen.

While much of their advice is practical, sometimes their tips are more unconventional. In one "parent play" the reader is encouraged to show up at the airport with duct tape holding their pants together in an attempt to shame their parents into buying them new clothes.

"We've tried to simplify saving money, while presenting our tips in a slightly unorthodox way." says Chaney. "Where else can college students get useful information ranging from cheap textbooks to cheap dates?

About CheapCollegeDude.com:

CheapCollegeDude.com is geared toward helping college students better afford the rising costs of attending college by living cheaply but effectively. The site provides practical tips and advice on how to save on textbooks, finances, clothes, eating, entertainment, transportation, software, and more. To learn more, visit the Web site at http://www.CheapCollegeDude.com .

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Related Textbooks For Cheap Press Releases

Iona College to Dedicate Ryan Library, One of the Most Advanced College Libraries in the Nation Re-design Combines Tradition and Technology

New Rochelle, New York (PRWEB) October 15, 2009

Continuing its leadership in educational technology, Iona College will dedicate on Saturday, October 17, its re-designed and expanded Ryan Library, one of the most advanced college libraries in the nation and one that is worthy of a nationally ranked private college. The $ 14 million project-- which was fully paid for by funds contributed by private donors and grants from the Kresge Foundation and the Booth Ferris Foundation--represents a sweeping renovation of the college's 60-year main library and has established a new center of ideas, information and culture on the campus.

It is the latest piece of a master plan that Iona College has been implementing since 1995 to strengthen the quality of its infrastructure and programs. A successful capital campaign of $ 100 million resulted in new residence halls, a student center, an athletics center and the new library that was officially showcased today for college officials, supporters, community leaders, alumni and others as part of Iona College's Homecoming and Family Weekend.

Brother James A. Liguori, CFC, Iona College President, said: "We are not only celebrating an important milestone in the history of our college but the individuals who made it possible for Ryan Library to remain the absolute quintessential center of academic life at Iona College for years to come. Thanks to those who gave generously and to the expertise, vision and commitment of the project team members, the new Ryan Library more than fulfills the Vision of Excellence capital campaign we announced for this library three years ago." He added: "They are leaving an enduring legacy for the pursuit of academic excellence at Iona College."

Among those attending the October 17th dedication ceremony will be some of the largest donors to the campaign to raise funds for the library project including Alice Marie and Thomas E. Hales ('58) of Briarcliff Manor, Retired Chairman and CEO, Union State Bank; Patrick J. Lynch ('59) of Sea Girt, NJ and Palm Beach Gardens, FL, Retired Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Texaco and Mary Catherine and Raymond J. Reisert, Jr. ('63) of Kitty Hawk, NC, Retired Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, PW Funding, Inc.

The 63,800 square-foot, three-story Ryan Library is about 15,800 square feet larger than the previous library and is equipped with technologically advanced facilities and an inviting design to better serve 4,300 students and alumni. It is the result of four years of intensive research and input from hundreds of students and faculty.

Since opening at the start of the fall semester, the Ryan Library has received rave reviews from students who have made it their preferred destination to study. "We are personally excited to see the students use the library in a way that we envisioned it to be," said Joanne Steele ('87), Iona College's Vice Provost who spearheaded the library's revamping.

The reconfiguration is a marriage of library science and technology that offers students both individual quiet study and group work/study areas. It boasts 104-dual-boot iMac workstations, networked printers and scanners, a knowledgeable staff of reference librarians and technical support available seven days a week and access to more than 80 electronic research data bases comprising more 15,000 journal and newspaper titles, a print collection comprising about 250,000 books and 700 hard-copy journals and newspapers and a caf