Smart Ways for UT Austin Students to Save Hundreds Every Month

College is expensive. Between tuition, rent, textbooks, groceries, transportation, and entertainment, your monthly budget can disappear fast. The good news? There are plenty of companies that offer student discounts and affordable alternatives, you just have to know where to look.

Here are some of the smartest ways UT Longhorns can save money every month.

Save on Food and Groceries

Food is one of the biggest recurring expenses for college students.

Instead of paying full price every time you shop, look for discounted groceries and prepared meals. Platforms like Too Good To Go and Flashfood help consumers purchase surplus food from participating businesses, while Bitezar connects students with a limited amount of fresh and discounted meals and groceries from local grocery stores, restaurants, bakeries, and food trucks nearby.

With savings of up to 70% off, you can stock your fridge, grab lunch between classes, or pick up dinner without stretching your budget. At the same time, you're supporting local businesses by helping them sell during their slow hours, for less. 

Potential savings: $100–$300 per month.

Reduce Your Streaming Costs

Entertainment doesn't have to be expensive. Many popular services offer student pricing:

• Spotify Premium Student
• Hulu Student Plan
• YouTube Premium Student
• Apple Music Student

If you live with roommates, sharing eligible family plans can reduce your monthly costs even further.

Potential savings: $20–$60 per month.

Never Pay Full Price If You're a Student

Being a college student comes with more perks than you might realize. Platforms like UNiDAYS, Student Beans, and ID.me provide exclusive discounts on thousands of brands, including clothing, electronics, restaurants, travel, and software.

Before making any purchase, check whether a student discount is available, you may be surprised how much you can save.

Potential savings: $25–$100+ per month.

Save on Transportation

Owning a car around campus can get expensive once you factor in gas, insurance, parking permits, and maintenance. Fortunately, UT students have several lower-cost options:

• Ride Capital Metro buses using your student benefits.
• Walk or bike whenever possible.
• Split rides with friends using Uber or Lyft.
• Rent a vehicle only when necessary through services like Zipcar.

Even replacing a few car trips each week can significantly reduce your monthly transportation expenses.

Potential savings: $50–$200 per month.

Spend Less on Textbooks

Before buying new textbooks from the campus bookstore, compare your options. Services like Chegg, eCampus, and ValoreBooks let students rent or purchase used textbooks at a fraction of the cost. You can also check the UT Library or ask classmates if digital versions are available.

Potential savings: $100–$500 each semester.

Take Advantage of Free Student Software

Many software companies offer premium products for free or at heavily discounted student rates. Check whether you're eligible for offers from:

• Microsoft 365
• Adobe Creative Cloud
• Canva
• Notion
• GitHub Student Developer Pack

These tools can save hundreds of dollars while helping you succeed academically.

Shop Secondhand Whenever Possible

Need furniture, kitchen supplies, or apartment essentials?

Browse Facebook Marketplace, local thrift stores, and UT buy-and-sell groups before purchasing new items. Every semester, graduating students sell quality furniture and household items for a fraction of their original price.

Review Your Monthly Subscriptions

It's easy to forget about recurring charges.

Take a few minutes each month to review your bank or credit card statements and cancel subscriptions you no longer use. Even eliminating two or three unused memberships can free up money for groceries, rent, or weekend plans.

Small Savings Add Up

Saving money in college isn't about giving up the things you enjoy, it's about making smarter decisions with the tools available to you.

Use student discount platforms before shopping. Take advantage of discounted streaming services. Rent textbooks instead of buying them new. Walk or use public transportation when possible.

And when it comes to food, make Bitezar part of your weekly routine. Instead of paying full price for groceries or meals, you'll discover affordable options from local businesses near campus while keeping more money in your pocket.

A few smart habits today can easily save you hundreds of dollars every month, and those savings can make a real difference throughout your college experience.