Save Big On Expensive Services at Your Local Vocational School

When I was a freshman in college, I chipped one of my front teeth in the dining hall and immediately went into panic mode. I had only been on my own for a few months and already had an expensive medical issue that I needed to be fixed ASAP.

Luckily I found a dental school nearby and was able to get my pearly whites fixed for a fraction of the cost a dentist would have charged.

Not only did I save money, but I also didn’t lose any quality of care either. The student dentist was professional, careful, and made my smile better than ever.

Whether or not you have a dental emergency, you can find deals on services from a local vocational school. Students nearing graduation in many fields need practice at a vocational school before they can get licensed, so you can help them out by being their guinea pigs.

Dental Deals

Not only is oral care necessary, but it can also be expensive. If you’re having a dental emergency, like I was, need your wisdom teeth out, or just need a cleaning, dental schools can offer those services at lower prices.

Pricing depends on your situation and location, but odds are you’ll find a deal compared to your dentist.

You can find dentistry schools online to see if any are in your area.

Pay Less, Eat More

How does this sound: Gourmet meals at fast food prices. Too good to be true, right?

Well, student-run restaurants at culinary schools give you exactly that. For example, at One World, which is run by students at Seattle Culinary Academy, you can get a soup or salad with a braised short rib for just $12.95.

Since the chefs are also students, these eateries are generally only open at certain times, so be sure to check in advance.

To find a culinary school near you, just enter your zip code here. 

Beauty Salon That Won’t Break The Bank

Cosmetology schools offer discounts on just about anything you can think of – haircuts, mani-pedis, makeup, etc.

Putting your look in the hands of a college kid might be a scary idea, but cosmetology students will take good care of you. There are usually professional stylists supervising as well to make sure everything runs smoothly.

At Aveda Institute locations, you can get a haircut for as little as $12, as well as discounts on waxing, makeup, nails, and facials. Paul Mitchell schools offer similar discounts as well. 

Outside of brand name schools, you can find other local cosmetology schools in your area.

Save On Massages

Unsurprisingly, massage therapists need to practice on real people to get licensed. That means you can get an amazingly relaxing massage for a discount.

You still can’t get a free massage from most schools, but you’ll usually get close to a 50% discount. Massages usually cost about $60/hour, but at schools like the Cortiva Institute, you can get an hour for $30.

You get a massage, save money, and help a student get experience. It’s a win, win, win.

The American Massage Therapy Association has a useful tool that can help you find a location near you.

For even more thrifty ideas, here are some of our favorite ways to save money.