Here’s a quick rundown of 15 clever budget hacks suggested by work-study students:
1. Show your student card to get discounts
A lot of places in Ottawa and further afield offer discounts to students, including museums, the National Arts Centre (look for Under30 tickets) and some stores. Always ask and have your card ready for proof!
Check Reddit threads to find the latest intel on grocery store discounts for students. You may need to travel further to get the best deals.
Pro tip: Admission to the National Gallery of Canada, the Canadian Museum of History, the Canadian War Museum and the Canadian Museum of Nature is free on Thursdays from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
2. Track your spending with a budget
Make a monthly budget of what you need for rent, food, school supplies and entertainment. Take note of what you spend on extras and try to think twice next time.
3. Get creative on dates
Instead of shelling out for a movie or a dinner, get creative by taking your special someone to a free event in between classes.
For example, check out an amazing visual arts 2024 student showcase in Simard Hall, attend a lecture at the library or go to events and activities on campus. Go for a walk in one of Ottawa’s great parks or along the canal (or skate in the winter). You won’t look like a cheapskate — you’ll spark a great conversation. The best things in life are free!
4. Exercise — get what you’ve paid for
Not only do you have access to our two fitness centres, but did you know that drop-in classes are included in your fees, without you needing to register? Meet new people and try something new. Join a group fitness session or play squash, volleyball, basketball, soccer, badminton or pickleball.
5. Sell unwanted stuff
Combine entrepreneurship with minimalism. If you have clothes piled up that you no longer wear, or other unwanted items, you might be pleasantly surprised that others would pay good money for them. Before you donate items or drop them off at the Free Store, try selling them via Plato’s Closet, Facebook Marketplace or Depop — or even hold a garage sale!
“I once made around $80 selling old clothes. I’ve also sold a shelf for $160 and shoes for $85 on Marketplace. For students looking to buy furniture, I recommend Marketplace for cheap deals.”
Camila Merino Pavez
— Third-year sociology and communications student
6. Get free stuff
Whenever you need something, your first stop should be the University of Ottawa’s Free Store. Who can say no to free stuff? This is your go-to place for free clothes, office supplies, kitchenware and many other items.
Pro tip: Pick up a quirky birthday gift for a loved one. It’s the thought that counts, right?
7. Think about thrifting
Thrifting is a lifestyle for anti-fast-fashionistas. But who doesn’t love a bargain? Some clothing thrift shops have discounted food, cleaning products and other items. Try the Shop Smart Thrift Store on Dalhousie or the Community Thrift Shop on Elgin. If vintage is your thing, Ottawa has loads of great places: Bee You Creative Styles, Darling Vintage and Lainey’s Luck, to name just a few. It costs nothing to browse! You may even spot a rare find you can re-sell for a higher price!
8. Shop smart
Time to lose that old cliché of surviving on instant Ramen noodles. Here are a few resources:
- Price matching: Use the Flipp app to compare prices and find the best deals at Superstore, No Frills, Giant Tiger and Freshco. A little research can save you a big chunk on your weekly grocery haul.
- PC Optimum: Accumulate PC Optimum points on your purchases, which can be redeemed for free products. It’s like getting paid to go grocery shopping.
- Scene+ points: Love movies? Accumulate Scene+ points on purchases for free movie tickets.
- FlashFood app: Snag products nearing their expiry date at a discount of 50% to 75%. A real boon for savvy students.
- Too Good To Go: Join the anti-waste movement with the Too Good To Go app, offering surprise baskets from retailers at small prices.
- Circulaires.com and RedFlagDeals: Don’t underestimate the power of flyers. They’re available online and can help you plan your shopping around promotions.
Pro tip: Never shop when you’re hungry!
Pro tip #2: Use a small cart or basket as large carts encourage you to add more when grocery shopping!
9. Buy in bulk and freeze meals strategically
Your freezer is your friend. Buying food in larger quantities and cooking big vats of Bolognese sauce, hearty chilis, soups and curries can be a great way to get more bang for your buck when it comes to your food budget. Get some Tupperware and freeze multiple meal-sized portions. That way, you’ll save cash and you’ll have ready-made, healthy meals when you’re in a study crunch.
10. Use those Flex dollars every month
Every month, you could win one of two $25 prizes in the Monthly Flex Dollar contest. Just use your uOttawa card to make a purchase at selected retailers and you’ll be entered to win 25 Flex dollars. That’s free money! Monthly participating retailers are posted on the uOttawa Card website and your uoZone message board.
11. Get a part-time job on campus
There are lots of part-time jobs for students at the University of Ottawa. The work-study program will start hiring for the Winter term November 28.
12. Use the library
Instead of buying books or paying for entertainment, you can borrow books, films and magazines for free from the University of Ottawa Library, or your local municipal library.
“Before buying course materials, I always check if they’re available at the University library or the public library. I found the manual I needed for my crisis communication class, saving money!”
Amina Kahina Achouri
— Fourth-year communication student
13. Scrutinize your monthly subscriptions
Cancel or reduce apps and streaming platforms for things you’re no longer using regularly. It’s surprising how some things seemed like a good idea at the time but then month after month goes by…Stick to one TV streaming platform at a time, binge it all, then cancel and move on to the next one.
14. Ride a bicycle, walk or use public transit
Resist the temptation to call that Uber or borrow the car, and save money on gas and parking. Use the U-Pass on your student card to get around via public transit in Ottawa and Gatineau. After all, you’ve paid for it via your student fees! Make the most of it!
Cycling is one of the best ways to commute to and from the University of Ottawa, and with nifty bike parking spots sprinkled all around, you can be sure you’ll never miss that sunrise lecture. For your convenience, here’s a handy map of where you can lock up your bike to help you plan your journey (even if it is next spring).
Walking is also great exercise. With the right playlist, 45 minutes will fly right by.
15. Try carpool apps or cheap bus deals
If you’re planning on travelling home or seeing friends in another Canadian city, you can cut costs with carpooling apps like Poparide – or ask around to see if mutual friends you trust are headed in the same direction. It’s worth planning ahead and looking for the best deals on BusBud, Flixbus or CheckMyBus.
Lastly, if you’re facing an unexpected financial emergency, you can apply for timely and confidential support from the uOttawa Students’ Union Emergency Hardship Fund.
There you have it! With these tricks up your sleeve, you’re ready to face the adulting world with a well-managed wallet. After all, every penny saved is a step closer to that coveted financial freedom. And remember, the key is to be ingenious and stay on the lookout for good deals!