Treating Yourself on a Budget
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.