Every fall, a new breed of students flocks into Penn State with high expectations, low bank accounts and no one to advise them. They are freshmen and, for some, alone for the first time.

Many concerns come with attending college, especially the cost, therefore a guide to saving money is imperative for the newcomers to learn and live by.

Simple purchases, such as food and clothing, add up to astounding numbers if they are not bought wisely and leave many with large dents in their pockets.

One necessity is buying textbooks for classes. Books tend to be very expensive and, in many instances, remain on the residence room floor to collect dust.

However they are a requirement, so a quick tip to spending less is the way to go. Used books are generally the best option, as they cost 25 percent less than new ones, said Thomas Fankhauser, assistant store manager of The Penn State Book Store, located in the HUB.

More people buy new books, though, because teachers assign different required reading or editions of textbooks change. These factors result in a 70 to 30 percent split of new to used books bought, Fankhauser said.

Even if a used book for a class is an option, he said "it is impossible to stock enough for all the students."

Another trick for book buying is to get to the bookstore early enough that all copies, especially the used ones, are available for a cheaper purchase.

Fankhauser, who said the last week of classes as well as finals are the best time for monetary compensation, also recommends an early book return. About half of what was paid can be returned if the book will be used in the next semester.

"For example, an introduction to biology book that costs $80 will give you $40 back," he said.

Banks obviously play an important role in a college student's finances. The two most used banks on campus, PNC Bank and M&T Bank, each have branches and ATMs at Penn State to limit the need for alternative ATM withdrawal fees.

According to each banks' Web site, within one mile of campus, there are at least 15 ATMs and one branch bank of PNC, and a total of five branch banks and ATMs from M&T in less than two miles. This can fully eliminate needless fees and allow for more cash in the pocket.

Food is also a major part of college life, but knowing how and where to eat are key elements in saving precious money.

Favorite eatery hot spots and take-out may seem easy to the avid student; however, the commons dining halls offer more for the buck. Thomas Gibson, the associate vice president of auxiliary and business services, said the buffet-style dining allows seconds or thirds, so every student may eat to his or her heart's content.

The commons dining is a "part of room and board and all tied together. It should really be looked at as one complete package," Gibson said. Meal points are offered for the convenience of the student and have been working in such a way for about 16 years.

"Eating at the commons is the best value," Gibson added.

It is recommended to avoid expensive meals found off-campus and to not fall under the misconception that each meal point is equal to one dollar. The conversion from dollar to point is not one to one, and can force naïve consumers into debt.

The commons are offered in every part of campus, so no one will go home hungry or without money in their wallets.

Transportation is another large concern for students.

Planes, trains and automobiles help alleviate the time issue, but it still costs a lot of green for the trip.

Greyhound buses, one of most common means of dealing with the dreaded four-hour ride home, gave a few words of advice for the weekend traveler.

Jessi Lavanish, a ticket agent for Greyhound, said, "always buy the round-trip ticket." She estimated that each time a single-way ticket was purchased for each direction, about $10 is wasted in the transaction.

It is also recommended to buy the tickets about a week in advance, especially if traveling to farther distances such as Philadelphia or Pittsburgh, which can save the student an extra $10 or so, said Lavanish.

Ultimately, the cheapest mean of transportation is getting a ride home with another student; however, opportunities like that come with meeting older students with cars. This may take some time, but at least it leaves the wallet in tact.

In the end, students can save money by buying used textbooks, making friends with the lunch ladies, taking out money from ATMs and branch banks around campus, as well as checking the ride boards in the commons.