University may seem like an impossible time to save money, but after four years as an undergrad, I’ve learned many ways to stretch my paycheque and save whenever I can.
On top of tuition, students fees, textbooks and a U-pass, there is the additional cost of school supplies to consider. Binders, paper, and pens cost money, but they don’t have to cost a lot. Many thrift stores have an office section where you can purchase previously owned backpacks, binders and notebooks — many of which have hardly ever been used.
Spending dollar store prices on name brand school supplies will save a lot of money over the course of your degree, so why not scour the office aisle of the thrift store instead of buying from the bookstore?
Bringing your own travel mug to to coffee shops is also a great way to get more bang for your buck. The majority of coffee shops award discounts for those bringing their own mug, with Renaissance Coffee and Higher Grounds both offering this savings option — 10 per cent is taken off your purchase every time. This may sound small, but over the course of a month or an entire semester, the savings add up and can help stretch your coffee budget further! These two cafés also have stamp card programs, meaning that every eighth or so drink is free.
Even the biggest cost outside of tuition — books — don’t have to cost as much as you may think. There is a Textbook Trade Center page on Facebook where students post used course materials they have for sale, as well as books they are wanting to acquire. Because the texts posted here are used, it’s much cheaper than going to the SFU Bookstore, and you have the potential of making money by selling your old course materials.
Using the library is also a great avenue. By combining the collective powers of SFU’s libraries and your own local libraries, it can be quite easy to obtain books depending on which courses you are taking.
Between second hand stores, savings programs at coffee shops on campus, and alternative routes to obtaining course materials, it is possible to save bundles of money as an SFU student.
