Saving Your College Dollars
Katie O'Brien

Ever have your oil changed? How about seen a late night movie or had a quick bite to eat? Well as college students we have all done these things dozens of times but have we been cheating ourselves? Many students don’t realize the money they can save by simply flashing their student ID’s and getting a student discount. There are dozens of ways to save and the easiest is asking “Do you offer student discounts here?”

Here in Lowell, student discounts aren’t as easily noticed but are most certainly still here. Many local movie theatres offer student discounts on evening tickets at the box office and online. Other great bargains are at local gyms, some offer a discount on memberships and others on sign up fees. Also local fast food chains give discounts when asked. Both Subway and Wendy’s give 10% discounts when given a student ID. Even places like Jiffy Lube here in Lowell give five dollars off for U Mass Lowell students. Along with discounts, places have specials for students, “buy one large pizza get one half off” or “buy 4 the 5th is free”, bargains like this are also great ways to save. Also a large part in saving your college dollars is in coupon booklets. In local coupon booklets you will notice special prices for “limited time offers” from hair salons to sporting good stores these booklets have pages and pages of great value. The Internet also offers special deals and limited time offers.

If you felt like going out on the town you could save huge on Boston entertainment. Many Boston museums and theaters have special rates for students and “College Days” where college students are admitted free. The Boston Museum of Fine Art takes off two dollars any ticket for college students (18 plus) and Wednesday nights after 4 pm admission fees are voluntary. The New England Aquarium has special days were there is no admissions fee with any valid student ID. At many theatres they have college group rates and also special walk up prices. Don’t feel like being quite for three hours, then go to the fleet and watch a Celtics game at a discount on a “college night”. Along with having special college nights they also have special group rates as well.

Now that you’ve saved at restaurants, everyday errand stops, and on nights out what else is there? You guessed it, travel! The best way to save on trips is “The Student Advantage Discount Card”. With this card not only does traveling become easier, but so does just about any shopping a college student could do. These cards cost money but are well worth it. There are two kinds and both have the same savings. You can get the one year card for $20 or the four year card for $60. With these cards a student will get 15% off any greyhound bus or Amtrak train, anywhere from 5% to 25% on rental cars, and numerous deals for great savings on airfares. 

After using this great card on travel the next step is shopping A to Z! With the Student Advantage Discount Card discounts can happen even when it comes to fashion. Both the Armani Exchange and Urban Outfitters offer 15% off all purchases. Even though you spend 20 to 60 dollars for this card you make it back in the great savings you get.

Now that you have seen all the ways you can save, remember that there are more then one way to get the most for your student dollar. Ask the question “Do you offer student discounts here?”, get the booklets , look for deals and get the cards. These ways of saving are out there to help you the college consumer. For more information on discounts and The Student Advantage Discount Card visit Discounts.com and TheStudentAdvantageDiscountCard.com.