Bobby just received word - or just finally understood - that the books and materials for his classes this summer are not covered by his scholarship. He called the office yesterday, and they told him to bring around $300 this weekend to buy his books.
Not sure what to do on this one. He doesn't have any money, mostly as a result of the fact that the guy who was his boss during his under-the-table job (really, the only one a kid could get during a three-week summer before college) ran off with the money he was promised. I've already been supporting him, with food and some supplies and what-not, but this was certainly an expense that I had not planned on. I've finally planned well for a summer financially, but I'm by no means a rich man, and was already planning on buying him a computer for school. I had that all picked out online from Dell - coming in at $478 including a printer - but then this came up and I know I can't afford both right now.
Bobby hasn't asked me for any money. In fact, he's been given a list of supplies from college that he's supposed to have with him when he arrives, but he won't show it to me for fear I will buy stuff off it. He's doing stuff like selling his old lacrosse equipment to Play It Again Sports for cash to try to buy notebooks.
Oh well. We'll get through it. He's got only a couple more days with me and then it's clear sailing. Hopefully.
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9 comments:
if you can pry the book list away from him, check online for the books. (or check online to see if the prof has posted the syllabus) textbook markup at the school bookstore is so high. of course, you don't have a whole lot of time to order online... but sometimes with a little luck and patience used bookstores work out well too.
everyone who reads this had been rooting for Bobby as well. you are a good man, and i hope this all works out.
check out barnes & noble, freecycle, and craigslist for the used books, too. but make sure he gets the right edition (you know how that works).
If you set up one of those Amazon accounts like you did for Outward Bound, my husband and I would be happy to make a donation to help Bobby out. (Or I could send a check.) I am endlessly impressed with what you have done for him. Most people only give lip service to "making a difference."
Check half.com for the books he needs - I bought mine for half what the bookstore was asking for USED books.
I second Paula's recommendation. I would also be willing to make a donation towards Bobby's books.
Epiph.
C'mon. Donations dude. You're already buying the kid a computer. Let some of us feel like we're doing something good. What's your paypal e-mail?
I usually save more than half on my books for the semester by buying them off Amazon. You usually have to do some research to figure out which way is going to be cheaper -- paying for shipping for used books, buying at least $25 worth of books to get free shipping, or getting them used at the bookstore -- but in the end, I can save anywhere from $50-$300. Also, if you can email the professor or find a syllabus online, you might be able to help him budget it out for the semester -- he's not going to need all of the books the first week. Also also, put up a paypal link!
I know everyone would really love the chance to donate, Epiph.
The Color of Money column in today's Wash Post happens to be about this. Although the column says mostly what everyone commented here, this is the link:
http://tinyurl.com/fjjme
Also,the university's library may have some of the books allowing him time to use those while looking for them cheaper online.
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