Posted November 1, 2018

How To Ball On A College Budget

Just being a Temple student gives you the automatic right to brag at the family table over the holidays. Or any day. Nutshell’s coming at you with something else to brag about: How you figured out how to be financially savvy and save a few bucks while maintaining an Instagram-worthy lifestyle. Here is our list of some of the best college student discounts, programs, resources and free things to do that Philly has to offer. You’re welcome.

I’m sexy and I know it (remember that LMFAO song? LMFAO.):

With your OWLcard, you have access to all Campus Recreation Facilities, which include the STAR Complex, Independence Blue Cross Student Rec Center (IBC) and more. You’ll be able to work out with top-tier gym and cardio equipment, sign up for your favorite group fitness class, climb a rock wall, be on an intramural sports team and even compete for a City 6 championship.   

Lights, camera, action:

If you didn’t know that Temple had its own movie theater, where tickets only cost $2 dollars with your OWLcard and $4 dollars without one, then you’re in for … well, a cheap movie. The Reel Cinema plays flicks that are no longer in theaters, but haven’t been released to the general public yet. Not only are the tickets cheap, but so are the concessions. The Popcorn Mega Reel Deal includes one large popcorn, one candy and a drink, and will only set you back $4.

The AMC theater at Broad and Oxford (Formerly the Pearl. R.I.P.) offers student discounts, too, and the Cinemark theater in West Philly has super cheap tickets every Tuesday for $5.50.

Be the next Guy Fieri:

Chima Brazilian Steakhouse, Butcher and Singer, Del Frisco’s, and El Vez might seem like some of the city’s most boujee restaurants, but during Center City District Restaurant Week you can indulge in a three-course dinner for only $35. In addition, some restaurants will offer a three-course lunch for only $20. With more 100 restaurants participating, it’s an awesome opportunity to check out the restaurant scene without having to eat rice and beans for the rest of the month.

There are usually two Restaurant Weeks per year—next one is Jan. 13–25, which could make coming back to real life after winter break a little bit easier.

Feed your inner (or outer!) artist.

The Philadelphia Museum of Art offers special rates for college students at $14 dollars for a day visit. If you are a student at the Tyler School of Art, you will receive FREE (confetti explodes) admission with a valid school ID.

First Fridays are another way to immerse yourself in the art scene without spending a penny. Every first Friday of the month (hence the name …) galleries and shops open their doors and usually offer free snacks and drinks in Old City and Fishtown.

Let the beat drop, Bill Gates:

Temple offers Adobe Creative Cloud for current students, faculty and staff at no charge. Creative Cloud includes the latest versions of Photoshop, Acrobat Pro, Dreamweaver, InDesign, Illustrator and more. The software is available for Windows/Mac computers and mobile devices, and includes access to Adobe online storage.

Spotify and Apple Music both offer unlimited music with more than 50 million songs for a student discount of $4.99 a month. Apple also offers students a 5 percent discount off most purchases and up to $200 off on a new Mac or iPad with Apple’s Education pricing.

News You Can Use:

The Washington Post, New York Times and The Wall Street Journal offer student discounts on both their digital and print subscriptions.

Retail therapy:

Big J. Crew fan? College students get an extra 15 percent off any online purchases. Other retail shops that offer student discounts include Banana Republic, Club Monaco and Champ Sports.


Have other student deals or discounts that we didn't mention? Let us know at Nutshell@temple.edu and we’ll add to our list.