How to Live Like a Cheap Student in Paris

The glitz and glamour of Paris doesn't have to be enjoyed with money. Paris is a live museum. As a student the temptations of good restaurants and famous clubs can make you broke. With patience and the willpower to say no to things you know you can't afford living in Paris like a cheap student is possible and still enjoyable.

Things You'll Need

• patience
• savings mindset

Instructions

1. Besides shopping and dining one of the more expensive activities in Paris is going out (clubbing, dancing, whatever you want to call it). You can go out dancing in Paris, but most clubs on most nights have a fee. However, each club does have deals. For example, there are certain clubs in Paris that have free entrance before midnight or free entrance on Wednesdays only.

2. Grab the cheap Pariscope magazine (less than 1 euro that comes out weekly) from a nearby newsstand. This magazine is filled with the week's activities in Paris: cultural, theater, concerts, ballets, clubbing, festivals, etc. As a cheap student in Paris take a look and see which clubs offer discount dancing nights.

3. Living like a cheap student is all about mindset. Paris is filled with temptations, but you can certainly have a good time without spending lots of money. Just say no! When it is warm enough to be outside at night, grab your friends, a blanket, a bottle of wine and have a picnic on the Champ de Mars (park located just behind the Eiffel Tower) or the many other beautiful parks in Paris such as the Luxembourg Gardens or the Parc Monceau in the 8th arrondissement. Parks are free so take advantage of the live museum that Paris is.

4. Make food for yourself at home. It's cheaper, especially in Paris. You don't have to eat pasta everyday. Make yourself cheap but healthy bean salads, chili or stir fried vegetables. All these are easy and a healthy alternative to the daily pasta diet of a cheap student in Paris.

5. You probably want to look good in Paris. Who doesn't? The biggest clothing advice for cheap students in Paris: Do your shopping in the US (it's easier to find cheap clothing in the US, where as in Paris there are only two big sales a year). The benefit of shopping back home is that you will have clothes that no one else in Paris does! Be creative, unless you want to shop at H&M and look like every other Parisian high school student. The other option for cheaper clothing is the Marais district in Paris. It's a beautiful little quarter to explore and you will find several used cheap clothing stores.

Tips & Warnings

• Paris has many cheap and fun activities to offer. Rent a bike (called the Velib) and cruise Paris for just 1 euro an hour or just sit in a cafe for hours sipping a cheap coffee while you people watch.

• Be creative and understand that you don't need money, especially when you live like a cheap student, to enjoy yourself in Paris!

Resources

• How to find a cheap apartment in Paris
• How to earn free frequent flier miles with major world airlines