Budget tips for students

Hola! Salut! Grüezi! I hope you are enjoying the summer and slowly preparing for the new semester. We know that the new semester might be scary as it entails not only unlimited number of sleepless nights but also quite a hit on the budget. Don’t worry! We are here to provide you with advice to relieve you from huge spendings.

money saving tips

So here are some tips for you on how to save some money on different categories:

Food
- Many students mistakenly think that Spar is the cheapest store - it is simply not true. Lidl and Hofer have a way cheaper assortment while the quality is the same. 
- Check the store websites for the discounts that are available for the following week.
- Often Lidl and Hofer set discounts up to 50% on pastries, fruits and vegetables on Saturday evenings and before public holidays.
- Use tooGoodto Go if you eat big amounts of food or live with friends. This app allows you to get big amounts of pastries, snacks, fruits or vegetables for a funny price of 5€ or so. Moreover, you make an important contribution in tackling the problem of food waste. 

Books
Often students have to buy many books that they will use for only one semester, nevertheless these books hurt your budget not less than other spendings. How can one reduce these costs?

- Usually universities have book stores where you can buy books which were already used by other students and therefore the price is reduced.
- Communicate with previous cohorts! They might see you their books even cheaper or give them for free.
- If such book store exists at your university, you can sell your books there after using them.
- Don’t forget to check out different online platforms. 

Leisure time 
Vienna is a heaven for leisure time as one can find absolutely different activities and live according their own life regime and yet enjoy every minute here.
Of course visiting all museums and theaters at once might be expensive which is why we suggest you being patient and waiting for discounts which happen very often, especially for students.

- Belvedere museum organizes Free Friday night on each first Friday of the month when the entrance is free.
- Leopold museum has entrance free of charge every first Thursday of the month.
- Many other museums open their doors for everyone on the 1st Sunday of the month
- Many clubs (except for Volksgarten) have discounts for students on the weekends if they enter the club before midnight, just check their stories on Instagram before choosing the club.
- Vienna Staatsopera opens its doors on the 1st of September and offers interesting excursions. It’s a unique opportunity to see one of the most beautiful theaters in the world for free!
- Vienna organizes many different festivals, Christmas markets, fireworks and different events free of charge. Just ask around and keep an eye on tabloids. 

We hope our tips will help you to save money and yet enjoy your stay in Vienna to its utmost extent! 


Best wishes,
Vlada Petrova