You’re in college, and like many of us who spent our formative years there, you want to have FUN in your free time from the classroom.
Pelican knows every penny counts, especially for college students who want to enjoy life without the financial burden.
Here are some savvy tips to stretch your dollars further when you’re living out the college experience:
Use Your Student ID
Your student ID might not be a Visa, but it is your golden ticket to discounts at theaters, restaurants, museums, clothing stores, and more!
Reap the benefits of two-day shipping, free food delivery, and deals on college essentials with Amazon Prime Student. The account also gives you access to Prime Video, Amazon Music, and more! The best part about Amazon’s Prime Student account? It’s only $7.49 a month.
Not a fan of Amazon? Don’t miss out on the latest album drop or the newest episode of your favorite show by using your student email to subscribe to streaming platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Premium, and Hulu. These platforms offer students heavily discounted subscription prices. You can’t beat Hulu’s student discount— only $1.99 a month.
Websites like UNiDAYS give students discounts at hundreds of retail stores.
Do you consider yourself a fashion icon? UNiDAYS offers discounts at stores like American Eagle, Levi’s, Under Armour, and ASOS. You can also find discounts from stores like Clinique, HudaBeauty, GlossyBox, and Charlotte Tilbury. Gamers and tech lovers can find deals for B&H Photo-Video-Pro Audio and Apple and Dell products.
Exploring your town or catching a manatee doesn’t have to break your wallet! Once you tire of binging shows and feel the need to venture out, remember to research the student discounts at local museums and theatres.
Plan, Plan, Plan
Okay, so you and your friends are planning a night out on the town, but you’re being mindful of your monthly budget. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have fun. There are many ways to be budget-conscious while still having a great time!
When you and your friends plan to go out to eat, make sure to check for happy hours and other dining deals. Restaurants typically offer discounted drinks and appetizers during their happy hours in the late afternoon and evenings. You can also consider eating at restaurants that offer discounts on certain days, like a Mexican restaurant on Taco Tuesday.
Some cities and towns host restaurant weeks. During restaurant weeks, local restaurants serve specialty-priced, multi-course meals. So, keep an eye out for any restaurant weeks scheduled near you!
Share the Fun (and the Bill)
We know that most things are better when you share them with friends! As you decide how you’re spending your day or night, consider splitting the cost of the activity with a friend.
Planning on going out to eat? Invite a friend along and share the meal. Taking an Uber or Lyft? Split the cost of the ride between your friends. You might not be able to split a movie ticket with a friend, but you can split snacks and popcorn to alleviate some of the expense.
Embrace Free Fun
In all your planning, don’t forget to look up free events in your city or town.
If you’re into art or music, concerts in the park and local art shows allow you to discover new and exciting artists for free. Some places even offer free admission to art, music, and food festivals.
Eat Smart
Finally, the one we’ve probably all heard as children, “There’s food at home!” Advice that annoyed in childhood can save you a lot of money in young adulthood.
It’s true! Eating at home is significantly cheaper than going out to eat all the time. Consider this: the average cost of a home-cooked meal is $4.31 per serving, while the average restaurant meal is $20.37. It might not seem like a lot, but those purchases can quickly add up!
If there’s no way of opting out of eating out (say, a friend’s birthday dinner), eat a quick snack before you head out to curb spending money on an expensive meal.
You can still have fun as a college student living on a mindful budget, and our tips and tricks will help you do so!
Do you have a favorite way to save money while living a busy lifestyle? Let us know in the comments below!
My name is Leiana Pineda Gonzalez-Rubio, and I am the Content and Digital Strategist at Pelican State Credit Union. I have over 6 years of experience in the marketing and communications field. I love reading, dancing and making art in my free time as well as spending time with my boyfriend, family and my dogs.
