If you’re going to be a UBC student, you need to learn how to save money (unless Mom and Dad are going to pay for every move you make). I am the kind of person who makes every mistake possible. But I am also the kind of person who learns from them. This is a basic list where I’ll post every tip and trick I have, that will help you save some money for that thing you’ve been eyeing for a while now. This list has no specific order, whenever I have another tip, I’ll just add it on here.

 

  • Bring as many things from home as possible. This will save you the time and money it takes to buy home supply you might already have. I arrived with one suitcase that had all my clothes and that was it. I have my excuse though, I’m an international student and flew to Vancouver from Paris. But still, I had to buy everything new and ended up spending so much more than expected.
  • If you don’t mind using second-hand items, buy everything at the thrift store ! I recently spent 53.00 C$ at one by getting myself three t-shirts, one raincoat and a pair of Kamik rainboots (which were 9 C$). All of those items, new, would’ve very likely cost me over 300 C$. Here’s a good address : Wildlife Thriftstore on Granville St. (they even have bowls and carpets and books and rice cookers !)
  • Don’t buy your textbooks before classes start. The booklist in your SSC is a lie.
  • Don’t buy your textbooks at the bookstore.
  • Check out the Discount textbooks shop in the Marketplace (aka the Village).
  • Buy your textbooks on Amazon, they very likely have the best prices.
  • Try to buy your Iclicker from someone else. The bookstore sells them at 50 C$. Discount textbooks sells them at 40 C$. (Sometimes though, the latter has the best price)
  • Check the ISB number before spending your dollars on a textbook.
  • Can’t have a credit card because you’re under 19 ? Welcome to the club ! Don’t worry though, you can still buy your textbooks online by using a prepaid Visa or Mastercard credit card which you can find at the bookstore or anywhere else. There is an activation fee (I got a 75 C$ Vanilla Gift card but had to pay 80.50 C$ because of the activation fee you see), but despite it, I saved a few bucks by purchasing the textbook on Amazon. You could also get yourself an Amazon giftcard !
  • Don’t panic if you see that you spend hundreds in the first few weeks following your arrival. You need to move in and make yourself comfortable. This is not a holiday house. This is your new home for the next 8 months (or more !). Once you’re settled, you’ll spend much less.
  • Invest in good quality supply. The cheapest option is the most attractive for sure, but, you don’t want to buy two rice-cookers in the same year because the first one wasn’t the best quality.
  • Whenever there is “FREE FOOD” or “FREE STUFF” on a sign, just fucking go for it. It doesn’t matter if it’s the lamest event. It doesn’t matter if there is the logo of the company on it. It’s free. We’re all in this together. We get it. If it’s bad food though, don’ eat it. Life is too short for bad food.
  • Don’t buy small bottles of olive oil and such (in case you’re going to cook). Again, this is not a vacation accommodation. This is your new home.
  • Eat healthy. It might be more expensive. It might take more time. But guess what ! The easiest isn’t the best ! When you eat healthy, you feel much better and you have more energy to study and do other things. You’ll be more efficient. Your mind is going to be clearer so you’ll be more aware of what you’re doing.
  • “You don’t actually save on food at Saveonfoods”. That was a joke one of my friends said to me a few days ago, but it turns out to be actually true ! Where should you go grocery shopping then (if you need to) ? No Frills ! There are a few in Kitsilano and there, you will find everything you need for cheaper prices. However, if you are looking for organic fruits, this is not the right place to go and as vegan and gluten-free options are concerned, there are few, but definitely not enough if that’s what you’re into.
  • Try grocery shopping at the Apple Farm Market (bus 14 or 99, get off at McDonald St.)