Student saving tips work best where you spend money every week. These are food, leisure and clothing. A fixed weekly plan, the student ID at the checkout and a look at the second-hand market add up to a noticeable amount over a semester. Fixed costs such as rent, phone and broadcasting fee are covered in cutting household costs (in German).
The most important student saving tips in brief
- On food, you save with a weekly plan, a shopping list and a stock of staples. Whatever is not on the list stays on the shelf.
- For leisure, it is worth asking about the student price. Your student ID or certificate of enrolment is the proof.
- Clothing and furniture are often much cheaper second-hand. Flea markets, swap parties and classified ads are all options.
- You can save without giving things up if your budget also plans in some fun.
How can you save on groceries?
On groceries, the weekly plan brings the most. Before you shop, you think about what goes on the table during the week, and you only write on the list what you need for it. What is already in the fridge goes into the plan.
Shopping list and plan for the supermarket
Do not shop on an empty stomach, because then more things end up in the trolley that are not on the list. The supermarket’s own brands are often cheaper than branded products, so a comparison is worth it. Look at the price per kilogram, because pack sizes can be misleading.
Use stock and leftovers
Pasta, rice, tins, passata and frozen vegetables keep for a long time. Buy them when they are on offer and build up a small stock. Leftovers become a second meal the next day, which you pack for university.
Spend less on the go
A coffee from the bakery and a snack between two lectures barely register in the monthly budget until you add them up. A thermal cup and a packed lunch replace many of these purchases.
Cook together in a flat share
A cooking group shares shopping and work. You take turns cooking larger quantities and share the costs. Each meal is cheaper than cooking alone, and the evening belongs to the flat.
How can you make your leisure time cheaper?
Always show your student ID at the cinema, theatre, museum and swimming pool. Ask actively for the student price, because not every till points it out. More discounts and benefits are collected in benefits for students (in German).
Many universities offer sports courses, and each university sets its own prices. Check what your semester fee already includes before you join a gym. The university library also saves money: you can borrow course literature there and only buy books you want to write in.
Cities often offer open-air concerts, exhibitions, town festivals and readings, and you will find their programmes in the event calendars. For going out, look for venues with student-friendly prices and an evening together in the flat. How to save on travel is explained in cheap travel during your studies (in German). The Germany semester ticket costs 37.80 euros a month, the regular Germany ticket 63 euros. At some universities, the semester ticket is included in the semester fee.
Trips and holidays are part of leisure too. You will find planning tips and destinations for a small budget in travelling as a student (in German).
How do you save on clothing?
The easiest way to save on clothing is the second-hand market. Charity shops, flea markets, classified ads and swap parties often offer well-kept items at low prices. You can buy furniture and electronics second-hand in the same way, and buying used during your studies (in German) covers this in more detail.
If you buy new, wait: put the item back and decide after a day whether you really need it. Pay attention to workmanship and care instructions, because a durable piece is cheaper over several years than three cheap ones. Small damage can often be mended, and in many cities repair cafés can help.
How do you save without giving things up?
Saving without giving things up starts with an overview. Write down all income and spending for one month, sort them into categories and set a maximum amount for each. Deliberately plan money for leisure and going out. With some room to spare, the budget is easier to keep.
Also review your subscriptions and ongoing contracts. Streaming services, apps and memberships often continue even though you hardly use them. For electricity use, saving electricity during your studies (in German) is a helpful guide. Put aside what you free up on a lasting basis as a reserve.
Calculation example: coffee and packed lunch
Example with assumed prices: Mia buys a coffee for 3.00 euros at the bakery on four university days a week. That is 3.00 euros times 4 days times 4 weeks, which equals 48 euros a month. If she makes the coffee herself and calculates 0.50 euros per cup, it comes to 8 euros a month.
| Option | Cost per month | Cost per year |
|---|---|---|
| Coffee from the bakery | 48 euros | 576 euros |
| Coffee made at home | 8 euros | 96 euros |
| Saving | 40 euros | 480 euros |
The prices are assumptions and depend on the bakery and the ingredients. The calculation method works for any recurring small expense.
Frequently asked questions
How can I save money day to day as a student?
Start with the costs that recur every week: groceries, eating out, leisure and clothing. A weekly plan with a shopping list, the student ID for entry prices and second-hand buying for clothes and furniture bring savings fastest. Also review subscriptions and contracts.
How do I save on groceries as a student?
Plan the meals for the week, write a shopping list and do not shop when you are hungry. Choose the supermarket’s own brands, use offers for long-lasting staples and use up leftovers. In a flat share, cooking together lowers the cost per meal.
How can I save money without giving things up?
Set a budget that includes leisure and going out. Cut first the spending you hardly notice, such as unused subscriptions or a daily coffee on the go. That way the fun stays, and the amount left at the end of the month grows.
Where can I get student discounts?
Cinemas, theatres, museums, swimming pools and software often offer student prices. Ask for them actively and show your student ID or certificate of enrolment. Which other benefits your status brings is described in the article on benefits with student status (in German).
What to do now
- Write down all your spending for one month and sort it into categories.
- Make a weekly meal plan and only shop with a list.
- Ask for the student price at every entrance. An overview shows where students can save (in German).
- Review your subscriptions and cancel what you have not used for weeks.
- Put the amount you free up aside. The first step to building wealth (in German) shows how small amounts can grow.
Related articles
- Cutting household costs: the big guide for students (in German)
- Student discounts: here is how to save properly (in German)
- Travelling cheaply as a student: tips for wanderlust on a small budget (in German)
- Saving on PKV premiums: what helps students with an existing contract (in German)
Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice. The German version is authoritative.
