Posted August 18, 2016

Temple Survival Guide: Where to use your acres of Diamond Dollars

Good news, guys: That OWLcard of yours has more purpose than just getting you into buildings and flaunting an embarrassing mugshot. It’s also got your Diamond Dollars, which are like regular dollars but with a catchier name. Deposit money into that account of yours and, voila, Diamond $$$. You can use all over campus—to get a haircut, buy groceries and get into the Pearl Theater. Or, you know, to send a letter home about how your Diamond Dollz did the ol’ vanishing trick.

1. Dining halls. We’ll start with the obvious: Your Diamond Dollars can be used at J&H, the Student Center and Morgan Hall. If you’ve got a meal plan, you may wanna use the dollars when you’re stopping for, like, chips or an Einstein Bros. bagel.

2. The Fresh Grocer (aka FroGro). It’s that food wonderland where you’ll probz grocery shop during your four years on campus. Whether you’re picking up popcorn for a movie night or stocking your snack supply, you’ll find anything here, including prepared meals and sushi. (Pro tip: Grab a free Fresh Grocer Price Plus card for coupons and discounts.)

3. 7-Eleven and Rite Aid. With three of the former and two of the latter on and near campus, these convenience stores quickly become go-to stops for candy runs, random toiletries and oddball seasonal dorm decorations. (Wawa loyalists: You’ll have to go to Center City and DDs are def not accepted. We’ve tried.)

4. Barnes & Noble. The bookstore, in the basement of the Student Center, is where you’ll find textbooks, school supplies and Temple apparel. Hats, shirts, sweats, even socks—there’s also many parent options (holiday presents, noted). (Pro tip: Buy SEPTA token packets with your Diamonds.)

5. UPS Store. Literally right next door to B&N is the spot to buy envelopes, stamps and boxes. You can ship packages or have your mail and packages delivered here. Also, it’s where you’ll head when you want to send Mom a lovely handwritten letter (asking for more $$$$$).

6. The Pearl. For the latest movie releases, head to this theater at Broad and Oxford streets, where you can pay for tickets with DD. Also, check out the Reel Cinema in the Student Center to watch recent releases for $2 with your OWLcard. (Pro tip: Receive a student discount at The Pearl when you show your OWLcard.)

7. Liacouras Walk. No, you can’t buy the whole walk. But you can use your Temple currency at Saxby’s Coffee, Master Wok, Maxi’s and Mexican Post, all located on it. Also, check out the food vendors at the Wall on 12th Street (where you’ll find Fame’s Pizza, Richie’s, etc.). Or eat up at the dining spots below the View: Potbelly’s, Crisp Kitchen, Blaze Pizza and Chipotle. And, if you’re still hungry, there’s Jimmy Johns, Dunkin Donuts (that other DD), Qdoba and Philly Style Pizza & Grill.

8. The TECH. Cash in at the Starbucks on the first floor or take advantage of another DD perk: Each semester, students are given a $21 dollar print allocation.

9. Mecca Unisex Hair Salon (1432 W. Cecil B Moore Ave.) and Diamond Cutz (10th & Diamond streets). Deep in the throes of midterms or finals, you may find yourself resembling Hagrid. Fear not. Both of these salons offer student discounts and will happily accept your Diamonds.

- Hayley Chenoweth