Your back-to-school guide to saving money in Toronto.
Being a student in a city can mean a lot of expenses. Saving even the smallest amount of money can mean an extra treat for yourself at the end of the week or add up to your tuition fund.
The good news is you can use being a student to your advantage, and here are a few ways how:
Transportation:
TTC: The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) is the easiest way for students to travel to and from school or anywhere else in the city. If you are commuting every day and spend $60 to $70 each week on your Presto card, you may want to avail the student discount. Monthly passes for post-secondary students will cost you $128.15, which is equivalent to more than 40 normal rides in a month.
Bikeshare: If you prefer biking or have a short commute to your daily classes or work, Bikeshare maybe your transportation choice. For $99 plus HST you can get a yearly pass with unlimited 30 minute or station-to-station rides, 365 days a year.
Living:
Groceries: No Frills and FreshCo have some of the best grocery deals and cheapest food prices in Toronto. You could also shop for basic snacks and drinks at your closest Dollarama or Dollar Tree stores.
If you cannot afford nutritious food for yourself; the Student Association’s Student Nutrition Access Program (SNAP) also provides one free food hamper per month per student. You can register for this service through an online form here.
Stationery: You can find anything you want, ranging from planners to highlighters – so long as you are not looking for the high-end stuff – at a Dollar Tree or Dollarama.
Entertainment: The college’s Events and Recreation department puts together events for students at an affordable rate every semester. This semester, as we transition back to in-person activities, you can go to a Blue Jays game or celebrate the return of the annual Boat Cruise, all for under $25!
There are also museums in the city that offer a discounted rate for students.
Library facilities: The Toronto Public Library gives free membership to any Toronto resident. With a library card, you can access library facilities such as free printing, borrowing books, and joining in-library activities.
The GBC library – Library Learning Commons – is also accessible to any GBC student. They lend out equipment such as laptops, Wi-Fi hotspots, and iPads.
Banking:
Most banks offer free student accounts with perks.
CIBC offers a student account with no monthly fees, free unlimited Interac transactions, and one free non-CIBC atm withdrawal per month in Canada.
BMO also offers a student account with no monthly fees and unlimited e-transfers.
TD bank has a student chequing account too with zero monthly fees, unlimited transactions and free Interac e-transfers.
Scotiabank offers free student chequing accounts with unlimited debit and Interac e-transfers. Students can also earn SCENE+ points on their daily expenses.
Subscriptions:
Here is something we all wish for – affordable subscriptions! Ordering an International Student Identity Card (ISIC) or signing up for UNiDAYS can get you discounts on many subscriptions, stores, and attractions. Both offer free registration.
With the ISIC, you can redeem discounts to the Royal Ontario Museum, Ripley’s Aquariums, or even the CN tower.
Similarly, UNiDAYS can give you discounts on select stores including options to save on Apple products. You can get cheaper subscriptions from Spotify for $4.99 per month and Apple Music starting from $5.99 per month, if you are registered with UNiDAYS.
Amazon Prime offers students a free 6-month trial and a discounted rate of $4.99/month after.
While there are many options to choose from so you can pay less, using your student card may be the ultimate hack. Carry it with you everywhere and always ask if they offer a student discount!
