Everyone knows that attending a prestigious college is bound to be quite pricey. A year’s tuition at Lehigh University, for example, costs around $60,000 a year, and that doesn’t even cover all of the miscellaneous expenses students incur throughout the school year.

As someone who has a limited budget, I am always looking to find helpful ways to save money while living on campus. I’ve found that it’s possible to have a good time at college while opting for more wallet-friendly activities.

Here are some tips and ideas that my friends and I have used that may be helpful for incoming Lehigh first-years or returning students looking to cut back on spending while still having a fulfilling college experience.

1. Get the 225 block meal plan.

If you live on campus and are required to buy a meal plan, the 225 is the way to go. With this plan, you get 225 meal swipes per semester as well as $50 dining dollars, which can be used at various locations on campus. This meal plan offers the lowest price per meal, with each dining hall meal costing you about $11. A good thing about this meal plan is that your meals swipes do not fall through if you don’t use them during a given week, as they do with the 14- or 19-meals-per-week plans. Even if you don’t use all of your meals, you can trade them in for goods at Upper Court at the end of the semester.

2. Try to avoid the school bookstore.

I have saved big bucks on textbooks by buying or renting from websites like Amazon or Half.com. It’s also far more cost-efficient to buy miscellaneous conveniences (like school supplies or toothpaste) in grocery stores (Ahart’s, C-Town) or drugstores (Rite Aid, CVS) that are located within walking distance from campus.

3. Get a job.

If your schedule allows, find a job or a work-study position. I had an off-campus job my first semester and a work-study my second semester and personally found the latter to be preferable. Work study jobs tend to be more flexible, which is helpful when you have a busy schedule. Even if you can only work a few hours a week, having a job can help you cover various expenditures that might come up throughout the school year.

4. Use your student ID for discounts.

Don’t be afraid to ask about student discounts! You’d be surprised at how many businesses offer deals on their services if you present your student ID or school email. Some examples include:

• A free six-month Amazon Prime trial, as well as discounted rates on Prime subscriptions.
• Between 10 percent and 20 percent off purchases from stores* like Madewell, J. Crew, Banana Republic, Vineyard Vines, Club Monaco, Alex and Ani, Goodwill, Charlotte Russe, H&M and Eastern Mountain Sports.
• Deals at restaurants like Chipotle, Subway, Chick-Fil-A and Waffle House.
• Discounted subscription rates from publications including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and The Economist
• As well as plenty of other discounts on travel, electronics, food, clothing, entertainment and more

*Shopping at outlets is also a good way to save money on quality clothing. Some options near Lehigh include The Outlets at Sands Bethlehem and Jackson Premium Outlets.

5. Buy snacks in bulk.

If you have a dependency on Goldfish crackers, like I do, you may want to consider buying your snacks at a wholesale store like Costco, Sam’s Club or BJ’s. Buying things in bulk is more cost-efficient and your purchases can last you the whole semester.

6. If you drink a lot of coffee, get a Keurig.

It can be easy to get into the habit of buying coffee or tea every day at cafés on or off campus. However, all those beverages can quickly add up. If you’re someone who likes caffeine, it may be a good idea to invest in a Keurig (coffeemakers and electric water boilers are not permitted in dorm rooms). By making coffee or tea in your room, you can save money that you might otherwise spend at Lucy’s or Saxby’s.

7. Cook dinner with your friends.

Sometimes you need a break from dining hall food, and it can be tempting to eat off campus. In an effort to cut back on unnecessary food expenses, a group of my friends and I started a monthly tradition of cooking meals together as an alternative to going out to eat. We would agree upon a theme or recipe, go grocery shopping, cook the meals together and host a festive dinner. In most cases, the cost for the whole meal totals only a few dollars per person, and preparing a home-cooked meal with friends is always a good time.

8. Consider options other than Greek life.

Being in a sorority or fraternity can sometimes be quite pricey. In addition to application fees and membership dues, costs might include social activity fees, clothes and other miscellaneous expenses. Fortunately, for those who are unable or unwilling to invest in these costs, Greek life is not the only social option. There are plenty of organizations that you can join to expand your circle of friends, as well as a fulfilling non-Greek social scene on campus.

9. Attend free/discounted campus events.

If you’re looking for entertainment, there are always interesting events taking place on campus. Plays and concerts at Zoellner Arts Center are usually free or discounted for students, and you can attend the home games of Lehigh sports teams for free. Organizations like Lehigh After Dark, University Productions and Music Box often host fun events like concerts, comedy shows and open mic nights. (Some of these events include free food and/or t-shirts.) You can also take advantage of discounted trips to places like Hershey Park or New York City. Additionally, if you join a sports team or other organization, there are often plenty of opportunities to travel off campus.

10. Explore Bethlehem.

There are so many things to see in the Christmas City, many of which you can reach on foot from campus. In South Bethlehem, you could explore the woods behind campus — including the student sculpture garden and the Bethlehem Star - Steel Stacks and more. Or you can head to North Side where you can find the Japanese Serenity Garden, the Heritage Trail and Moravian College as well as plenty of great storefronts for window-shopping.