Money-saving tips

Entertainment

If you want to have fun, but don’t want to spend a lot of money, there are plenty of inexpensive entertainment options to choose from.

Participate in a Campus Recreation team, sport, or class
Attend Warrior Weekends for free
Read the Imprint – Waterloo’s student newspaper – or the Waterloo Daily Bulletin to find out about upcoming events, many of which are free
Join a club through the Federation of Students
Attend free public lectures sponsored by the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics
Attend a free concert put on by orchestra@uwaterloo – or audition to play in it!
Borrow magazines from the Turnkey Desk or movies and books from KW’s public libraries
Get discounted Galaxy Cinema or Princess Cinema tickets from the Turnkey Desk in the Student Life Centre (SLC)
Check out other theatres and events – many offer discounts for students, such as
- The Centre in the Square, where you can attend plays, concerts, comedy shows, and much more
- The KW Symphony, which offers incredible rates on season tickets for post-secondary students
- If you're on campus in the summer, Music and Movies in the Park (Waterloo Park, across University Avenue from Waterloo)

Purchase snacks and fruit for your lunch at a local grocery store. Avoid convenience store purchases since most items cost significantly more.

If you’re planning to live in residence, you still need to budget for some key costs, including laundry, long-distance phone calls, food (if you’re living in a suite-style residence), clothes, entertainment, school supplies, books, and tuition.
Waterloo Food Services has developed a number of meal plans that are convenient, flexible, nutritious, and full of variety and that and can save you 5% to 65% off the price of on-campus food purchases.

If you’re renting off campus, carefully check the terms of your lease – an 8-month lease will save you money in the long run if you’re not planning to spend your summer or work term in Waterloo. Visit Waterloo’s Off-Campus Housing website for a current listing of student rental accommodations.
If you need any help with your lease or want to learn more about the Landlord-Tenant Act, feel free to drop by the Waterloo Ombudsperson’s office.

Consider buying your bus tickets at the Turnkey Desk in the Student Life Centre (SLC) – they offer discounted rates!
If you live close enough to go home on weekends be sure to ask for a “student fare” when purchasing your bus ticket, or use the FedBus – run by Waterloo’s Federation of Students – for trips to Toronto, London, and Hamilton. The FedBus is cheaper than most commercial bus companies and leaves directly from the SLC.