OPINION BY ELYSE WHEATON
The list of college expenses often feels like it is never ending.
There is the big whopper— tuition. Then there is room and board. If you have a car, you need gas. You can’t forget about the boatload of cash everyone drops on textbooks at the beginning of the semester. Even as a junior, I always forget.
Sadly, I am reminded quickly as I’m sliding my debit card for $300 and change at the Drake Book Store.
Before college, I wasn’t much of a bargain shopper. I didn’t search for cheaper things because I didn’t really need to. But let me tell you, college has turned me into quite the bargain shopper. I am not quite to the level of the people on Extreme Couponing, but I’m always searching for a deal.
I actually found that a lot of places offer student discounts. They just don’t advertise them-so I am going to advertise them for you. Here are a few of my favorite student discounts.
At any J. Crew, Banana Republic or Kate Spade location if you show your student ID you will receive 15 percent off full priced-items. I have a few friends who have said if you ask at clothing stores if there is a student discount, they will give you some sort of discount so it never hurts to ask.
Everyone wants cheaper food or something free at restaurants for being a student. I often feel guilty when I eat out because it doesn’t fall into my budget so I try and get water or the cheaper item on the menu, but with some of these discounts they allow students to be more flexible with what they order.
Students receive free drinks at Chipotle and Chick-Fil-A. A lot of eateries have started special
student meal deals. At Qdoba ,there is a $5 meal deal if you present your student ID. Dairy Queen has a similar system.
If you’re looking for some weekend entertainment, look out for student nights and discounted tickets for being a student. Many sports teams have student nights where, if you present your student ID, you receive discounted admission and food deals. When going to a play or opera, always look for a student price over paying the adult price and if they don’t have one listed, ask if there is one available.
Asking is key when it comes to receiving these discounts. Most places, like I stated before, don’t advertise their discounts- so if you don’t take the initiative you won’t receive the discount. Finding discounts and going to places you know have discounts is a great way to save a few bucks when everything else in college is so expensive.
