Many of us are familiar with the trope of the broke college student: the fear of checking your bank account, eating ramen for weeks on end and wondering how you’re going to survive until your next source of income shows up. If you find yourself falling into this category, here are some tips and opportunities to save some money.
The Peer Assistants have two different opportunities for student discounts at Gustavus and in St. Peter:
If you are a first year student, you can stop by the the GustieWELL for the opportunity to get a $5 giftcard to The Bookmark. This is also a chance for first year students to check in and destress with some upperclassmen who are familiar with some of the situations that you may be going through.
The Peer Assistants also have a project for students who are turning 21. Students should go to the GustieWELL a week before their 21st birthday to learn how to safely enjoy their birthday celebrations. After your meeting, you will be able to get a booklet full of discounts for businesses in Saint Peter like Dominos, Patrick’s, and Diamond Dust. There are also coupons for the Courtyard Cafe and The Bookmark, as well as a few businesses in Mankato.
Gustavus Residential Life also has coupon books featuring discounts from local businesses. While not everyone on campus has a car, there are plenty of ways (via shuttle or carpool) to get to Mankato and surrounding cities. Here are some of the businesses that have student discounts and coupons:
Food:
- Buffalo Wild Wings and Rings
- Cold Stone Creamery
- Dairy Queen (St. Peter and Mankato)
- Frozen Yogurt Creations
Transportation:
- Midas
- Nick’s Car Care
- Jiffy Lube
Activities:
- Maverick Bullpen
- Kato Escape Room
- All Seasons Arena
Also, Venmo and Cash App are two popular apps used by college students. These are essentially a bank in your pocket, and these apps are a lifesaver for when you forget your wallet and your friends decide to go out to eat. Did you know that when you use your Venmo or Cash App card or app, you can get a discount at certain businesses like Chick-fil-A, Starbucks, DoorDash, and AMC?
Quick Tips for the Caf:
It’s easy to lose track of how much money you spend in the Caf, and nothing is worse than having to eat peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for an entire week because you already have a negative balance in your account. Here are some cost-effective tips for purchases in the Caf:
- Take advantage of GustieWare! This is a free to-go option, while normal to-go boxes cost 50 cents.
- Buy food items that will last you longer (i.e. opt for a box of cereal and a gallon of milk rather than buying individual bowls of cereal each day).
- Go for meals rather than snacks (i.e. at checkout, they bundle most side and main course dishes from the United Nations station in the Caf, whereas the Gustie Grill station charges main courses and sides separately).
- Bring your own mug for coffee or tea to get the green discount from both the Evelyn Young Dining Room and the Courtyard Café.