Moving to a foreign country will grant you an instant pass into currency conversion land. Nothing will make you an expert on conversion rates like moving to a new country. Most foreign countries offer student discount schemes for almost every product and service, from groceries, apparel, electronics to plane and movie tickets. To utilize these discounts, you need to have a student ID card. Once you set up your ID card, here’s how you can get the most out of it.

Local convenience store

Living independently means paying for everything out of your own pocket, and one of the biggest expenses will be your basic amenities. These include groceries, hygiene products, medical items, etc. If your purchases are not planned, this is a quick and easy way to run out of money. Make sure to avail any possible student discounts at your local convenience stores, and also keep an eye out for vouchers and coupons that apply to students.

Apparel, footwear, and accessories

A large part of college life is building impressions, and for a good one, you need to look the part. So it’s no surprise a good chunk of your money gets spent on new clothes, footwear, and accessories. Fortunately, several fashion brands like Levis, ASOS, Banana Republic, and many more offer student discounts. Make sure to research and find offers before setting off on a shopping spree.

Electronics & software

College students need various electronic devices like laptops, storage devices, etc., to be productive. Knowing this, almost all major electronics brands offer discounts to students. From Apple, Microsoft, HP, Dell, Lenovo, Samsung to Adobe, Corel, and Nuance, there are a number of concessions you can take advantage of. Most of these brands offer student packages where you can buy a number of devices together and, at times, get free software.

Books

Books are always an expensive resource that is also an absolute necessity. However, student discounts also extend to online libraries, which offer essential study material and reference books that will be valuable to complete assignments and prepare for exams. It’s not always viable to buy books and store them after using them. Group up with your friends to buy different books and devices which you can all ultimately share and make use of. Other than just cutting costs, this method has the added benefit of helping the environment!

Health & fitness

Exercising and staying fit are absolutely important when you’re in college. It’s easy to get discouraged when you have to make time amidst all your college work, especially when you see the high rates of gym memberships. That is why many fitness centers offer student discounts and useful packages to help you out. So, grab a friend and begin your mission for good health.

Hangout and fun activities

College life is full of fun moments where you and your friends go out together to blow off some steam. The endless stream of enjoyment only slows down when everybody starts running low on cash. With your student ID card, you can keep that fun train going a little longer. There are numerous deals to indulge in both online and offline. Some country-specific apps and websites offer exclusive deals to students. Next time you make plans with your friends, be sure to look up what offers are up for grabs.

Cellular plans

Being a thousand miles away from home really makes you want to stay connected to your friends and family through any possible medium. On top of that, data is a student’s lifeline. You’ll need it to survive in a new place and find your way back whenever you get lost. Your student ID card can save you some serious cash here because cellular companies like Vodafone offer student deals for international calling and data plans. There will be no chance you’ll be stranded or disconnected with plans like these.

Travel

Travelling is a given when you’re in a new country, especially when you have those long weekends and summer breaks. Make use of student discounts offered by airline and travel sites. These will make your travel, stay, and even visits to certain popular spots much more cost-effective.

Insurance

Insurance is important for students and can cost a lot. From Car Rental to Health, insurance for students is usually provided at special discounted rates in many countries. Make sure to mention your student status to your insurance agent and save a ton of money,

Miscellaneous

Keep track of student discounts on online forums and university notice boards. Most universities will have a list of basic student discount schemes, and you need to make sure to avail them. Brands like Spotify, Netflix, McDonalds, and several others offer student packages, and all you need to do is find them.

Your time at university can drive up a lot of expenses if you don’t know where to play it smart. With our top tips and other helpful resources like your student ID card, you will be able to have the ultimate college experience while also being efficient with your money.

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