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Ann Arbor can be expensive. Our college town has a plethora of places in which your budget can be wrecked. Scattered with high-end brands such as Lululemon, Anthopologie, and Von Maur, the opportunity to splurge is endless. However, the city is also home to businesses and brands that are more suitable towards the college budget. When in Ann Arbor, the option to save or splurge comes into play, and students are faced with choices daily.

Coffee, Tea, and More

When you are in Ann Arbor, and craving a fun morning drink, the options can feel endless. Luckily, the city has many options that are suitable for any budget. If you would like to splurge, options like Roos Roast and Bodega Bros. offer delicious options. However, the more price-conscious choices are also tasty. The coffee shop Misfits has a rewards club. The Misfit Society Coffee Club offers discounts to returning customers and can result in free drinks.

Panera Bread also offers a program that boasts unlimited drinks, including coffees, teas, and soft drinks, at about $15 per month. This is a great option, as there are two Panera Bread locations on campus.

Other options for cost-effective coffee are offered through the university. Campus has conveniently located cafes, such as Bert’s Cafe, Cafe 32, Darwin’s, UMMA Cafe, Blue Cafes in South Quad and East Quad, and many more. These cafes accept Dining Dollars from your MCard as a form of payment, so this prepaid option is always a great one.

Lastly, the dining halls offer coffee and tea. Fresh coffee is always available to those with a meal plan, and add-ins such as cream, various milks, honey, and sugar, are also available. Getting a pick-me-up in Ann Arbor can get costly, and the right options are always available whether you are in the mood to spend or save!

Groceries

Daily life in Ann Arbor is conceived to be costly. This is sometimes the case, but hidden gems are also located around campus. If you are looking for groceries, Aldi has great prices and two locations right near campus. However, if you cannot find what you are looking for here, two Whole Foods are also nearby. A great way to save here is to utilize the coupons available and to connect your Whole Foods account if you have Amazon Prime. This way, you can maximize your savings!

Another great grocery option is to consider the Maize and Blue Cupboard. The Maize and Blue Cupboard’s mission is “to ensure members of the University of Michigan community — whether on a tight budget or physically restrained from getting to a grocery store — receive equitable access to healthy, nutritious, and nourishing food and the ability to prepare it for themselves or others.” The Maize and Blue Cupboard offers essential groceries to students free of charge by appointment. The Maize and Blue Cupboard is located behind Helen Newberry, with appointments available online.

If you are hungry and in the mood to splurge, Zingerman’s is your best bet! Ann Arbor-made, this brand consists of a restaurant, shop, and coffee bar. Because only the freshest ingredients are used, prices can pile on fast here. Nevertheless, it is a great, local option.

Low-cost Activities

If you are no longer in the mood for food, our city has great activity options, as well. The shopping here is amazing, but there are also great second-hand options. Nearby thrift shops, such as the Salvation Army off of State Street or the Ann Arbor Thrift Shop, are great options that are very central to campus. However, my favorite cost-effective activity on campus is walking. Ann Arbor is such a beautiful city, and there is always something to see and do. Walking around campus, downtown, and through the Arb are activities that won’t break the bank, but will ensure a day well spent!

My Day for <$20

Personally, I would spend $20 on a fun morning drink and a meal with friends. I would opt to splurge on a chai latte at Misfits, walk around campus for free, and then meet up with some friends at Zingerman's for a meal! Learning to budget in this way has helped tremendously, as I’ve learned how to balance wants, needs, and time with loved ones.