Treating Yourself on a Budget

 
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A Local Guide to Student Discounts

Written Alison Stecker, Contributing Writer


Let’s face it. Retail therapy is a great way to relieve stress. But as college students, we don’t have the money to casually spend whenever we feel like it. 

The stress of the COVID-19 pandemic has also added to students’ financial difficulties. According to Jill Gonzalez, an analyst at CNBC personal finance site, nearly 7 in 10 students believe the pandemic will make it harder for them to get a job, which is a prominent financial stressor (Dickler, 2020). And they’re right — the pandemic has created the worst job market in modern history while exacerbating student debt balances. Roughly 13.3 million undergraduate college students say that this has changed the way they feel about their financial future, meaning they are less likely to spend money on maintaining their well-being if they’re stressed about paying off college loans (Dickler, 2020). 

Despite the economic disaster, it’s important for students to pamper themselves. To me, this means whenever I get in a dark headspace I’ll order a coffee or go get a manicure. While financial strains have made it difficult for me to spend money on such “unnecessary things,” student discounts can help reduce stress by making those “TLC” moments a little bit more affordable for everyone. 

Below is a list of locally curated businesses right here in Madison that offer great discounts to UW-Madison students. All you need to do is shop and show your valid Student ID. Now go treat yourself to a new pair of earrings or a face mask because you’ve been working hard and deserve it!  

Fashion and Beauty

Goodwill 

Receive 10% off your entire purchase when you show a valid Student ID. 

Located at 4530 Verona Rd, Madison, WI 53711

L.L. Bean

Receive 10% off your entire purchase when you show a valid Student ID. 

Located at 434 N Midvale Blvd, Madison, WI 53705

      2901 N Sherman Ave, Madison, WI 53704

      2127 E Springs Dr, Madison, WI 53704

Madewell

Receive 15% off your entire purchase when you show valid Student ID.

Located at 710 N Midvale Blvd, Madison, WI 53705

North Face

Receive 10% off your entire purchase when you show a valid Student ID. 

Located at 702 N Midvale Blvd, Madison, WI 53705.

Pier South 

Receive 15% off your entire purchase when you show a valid Student ID.

Located at 04 N Midvale Blvd, Madison, WI 53705.

Shine A Nail Boutique 

Receive 10% off your entire purchase when you show a valid Student ID. 

Located at 729 Hilldale Way #3235, Madison, WI 53705

Ulla Eyewear 

Receive 10% off your entire purchase when you show a valid Student ID, and an additional $50 off Ulla’s in-house frame line 

Located at 562 N Midvale Blvd, Madison, WI 53705

University Bookstore 

Enjoy 5% off your entire purchase when you use your Wiscard. 

Located at 711 State St, Madison, WI 53703 

UNTUCKit

Receive 25% off select styles with a valid Student ID.

Located at 726 N Midvale Blvd, Madison, WI 53705

Food

Babcock Hall Dairy Store

5% off if you pay with your Wiscard.

Located: 1605 Linden Dr, Madison, WI 53706

Buffalo Wild Wings

Get 10% when you show your valid Student ID.

Located at 789 University Ave, Madison, WI 53715

      240 E Towne Way, Madison, WI 53704

Burger King

Get 10% when you show your valid Student ID.

Located at 2655 E Washington Ave, Madison, WI 53704

      719 W Badger Rd, Madison, WI 53713

      6909 Odana Rd, Madison, WI 53719

Cafe Hollander 

Get 20% off your entire order when you show a valid Student ID. From 8 AM – 11 AM only, Monday through Friday.

Located at 701 Hilldale Way, Madison, WI 53705

Chipotle

Get a free drink when you show a valid Student ID.

Located at 658 State St, Madison, WI 53703

      4000 University Ave, Madison, WI 53705

      4628 E Washington Ave, Madison, WI 53704

      7066 Sligo Dr, Madison, WI 53717

Subway

Get 10% when you show your valid Student ID.

Located at 1401 University Ave, Madison, WI 53715

      700 S Park St, Madison, WI 53715

      19 W Main St, Madison, WI 53703

      1 S Park St, Madison, WI 53715

      711 State St, Madison, WI 53703

      951 S Park St, Madison, WI 53715

      2850 University Ave, Madison, WI 53705

Wisconsin Union 

5% off if you pay with your Wiscard.

Union South located at 1308 W Dayton St, Madison, WI 53715

Memorial Union located at 800 Langdon Street, Madison, Wisconsin 

Health and Fitness

Cyclebar

Students can sign up for an unlimited membership for $99/month, which is 30% off the normal pricing. You must sign up in person at the studio with a valid Student ID. 

Located at 1018 E Washington Ave, Madison, WI 53703

SOLIDCORE

With a valid Student ID, students can attend 3 Pilates classes for $45

Located at 726 N Midvale Blvd, Madison, WI 53705

Entertainment 

AMC Hilldale 

Ticket pricing starting at $4.49 with a valid Student ID. *before 2 PM

Wisconsin Union Theater 

UW-Madison students pay $10 for a single admission ticket at the Wisconsin Union Theater with a valid Student ID.

Located at 800 Langdon St, Madison, WI 53706

Transportation 

Campus Bus Routes

Free rides when you show the driver your Wiscard. Download the free Transit app for an easy and accessible way to track bus routes. 

Greyhound 

Get 10% off a bus ticket with a valid student ID or school email address.

Madison Metro 

Get 50% off metro ticket with a valid Student ID 

Sources:

  • “400 Student Discounts at UW Madison.” OneClass. Accessed March 08, 2021.

  • “Student Discounts at Hilldale.” Hilldale. February 03, 2020. Accessed March 08, 2021.

  • “Wisconsin Union Theater.” Wisconsin Union Theater ” Wisconsin Union. Accessed March 08, 2021.

  • Dickler, Jessica. “Due to Pandemic, More than 13 Million College Students Are Worried about Their Financial Future: Study.” CNBC. August 31, 2020. Accessed March 09, 2021.

  • Denkin, Sam. “How Does Self-Care Affect Mental Health?” Mission Harbor Behavioral Health. July 29, 2019. Accessed March 09, 2021.