5 Uncommon Ways to Find Coupons and Discounts

By Christine Ascher on May 2, 2018

Being a college student, as most people quickly discover, comes with a lot of expenses. On top of tuition fees, textbook rentals, and monthly rent, there are also all of those day-to-day expenses, such as food and transportation costs, which can add up more quickly than you might expect. A great way to alleviate some of the stress on your day-to-day budget is by using coupons and discounts as often as you can.

However, though that may sound great in theory, in reality, those money-saving deals can be hard to come across—unless you know where to look. By knowing a few places where you can find good coupons and discounts, you can save a lot of money in the long run. The next time you need to go shopping, try out one of the following ways to get some money off.

Coins, stacks, money

Image via https://pixabay.com

1. Newspapers

While it may seem old-fashioned for a college student to subscribe to a physical newspaper, doing so is actually a great way to find some coupons. Sunday newspapers typically come with inserts full of coupons, and, according to Donna Montaldo, a writer for The Balance Everyday, you can usually find coupons for local stores as well in mid-week newspapers. Clipping coupons is perfect if you’re looking for a way to save some money the next time you go to the grocery store. If you don’t want to spend money on a newspaper subscription, try asking some of your friends and family if they have any newspapers lying around and if they would be willing to give you the coupons inside.

2. Online Coupon Codes

If you’d rather find deals electronically, the internet also has some great resources. Popular sites like Groupon and RetailMeNot offer tons of coupons for stores, so it’s a good idea to check with them before you go out shopping or complete an online purchase; saving money may be as easy as finding the right promo code to enter in before you check out. Groupon in particular is a great website for college students, as they offer discounts on activities, such as museum admission or exercise classes, as well as for stores. If you tend to overspend on activities with your friends, check out some of the deals that you can find online to help you make more budget-conscious plans for next time.

3. Cashback Websites

If you tend to do a lot of online shopping, you’re probably missing out on the chance to receive cashback. There are many websites out there that offer cashback deals, and they’re fairly straightforward to use. Some of the most popular cashback sites include BeFrugal, Ebates, and Swagbucks, and they offer deals for a variety of popular retailers, including Amazon, Target, and Walmart. To use a cashback site, you first have to create an account. Once you have an account with the site, you can then access retailers through the cashback site in order to receive deals. While the amount of cashback that you can receive will vary based on the website and the retailer, in general this is an easy way to earn some money back when you’re shopping.

4. Student Discounts

Though they may not always advertise them, many stores and websites offer great discounts for students. It’s a good idea to ask when you’re checking out at a store if they offer a student discount, as they may not otherwise tell you. Some popular stores that have student discounts include Express, Forever 21, and Topshop. In some cases, you’ll have to verify your student status through a site such as UNiDAYS, so make sure you do your research beforehand. You should also remember to bring your student ID with you whenever you go shopping so you don’t miss out on any deals!

5. Cashback Credit Cards

If you need a credit card, try to sign up for one that will give you a good deal on cashback. You can typically earn cashback by using your credit card at places like grocery stores, gas stations, and restaurants—where you would usually be spending money anyway. While cashback deals will vary based on the bank that issues your card, this is a great way to earn money back on your everyday expenses. When applying for a credit card, ask your bank about the cashback deals that they offer and make sure to take advantage whenever you can!

While it may take a bit more time and effort to hunt down discounts or receive cash back, the payoff can make the process well worth it. Even saving a small amount of money each time you shop will add up, and you can cut down on your expenses significantly just through coupons and discount codes. Especially if you’re living on a tight budget, using some of these options to save money can go a long way!

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