Being a college student automatically implies that one is put on a strict budget. With tuition, room and board, the costs of necessities, eating out, and clothes, your money is already stretched out as thin as can be. Or is it? Actually, being a college student opens the doors to deals and discounts across Pennsylvania and beyond.
The first place to look for when searching to put more money in your pocket is online.
Collegebudget.com is your best bet when it comes to general shopping. Designed exclusively for college students, it follows the bargaining styles of Groupon and Tippr. These sites allow you to get a $100 certificate for designer clothing and accessory rental from renttherunway.com. Of course, there is a reasonable fine print associated with each certificate. Typically, you must to use the certificate within a specific timeframe. You can also get similar discounts for popular sites from studentrate.com. By purchasing items through these websites, you can receive either a percentage cash back or savings on your total order.
Even more virtual deals are available for new gadgets and laptops. Apple has a student promotion that goes until September 20th, which gives a $100 back to school card when you purchase a Macbook Pro, Macbook Air, or iMac. This card can be used on iTunes and iBooks. Otherwise, all students have access to a general 8 percent discount. Sony also has an online education store where students can save up to 10 percent on computers, cameras and more.
If technology and general shopping savings are not your desire, student discounts on travel, hotel rates and other activities can be found across the web. Studentuniverse.com specifically provides this and more with their affordable flight rates for students studying abroad, discounts on activities for when you get there and even deals on spring break trips. Statravel.com has similar deals in addition to volunteering opportunity listings.
Aside from the Internet, one of the best places to take advantage of such deals is right here in State College. In the Nittany Mall, both Charlotte Russe and Strawberry offer a 10 percent discount if you show student I.D. Outside the Nittany Mall at Sam’s Club students can buy a collegiate membership for only $40. In fact, when a student shows their student ID and gives their .edu email, they get a $15 Sam’s Club gift card.
If none of these saving methods appeal to you, there are coupons that come in local papers every Sunday as well as on coupon websites. Some of your favorite products may have newsletters online that can be sent to your email along with printable coupons. Otherwise, websites such as allyou.com, couponcabin.com and coupons.com, allow you to print out coupons or provide a link toward free samples.
Overall, being a college student provides ample opportunities to save money. Companies know that you are already put on a strict budget and want to help. Why not take advantage of that and have fun at the same time? Good luck and happy savings!