Rising living costs are putting pressure on young Canadians, with Statistics Canada noting that a majority of those aged 25 to 44 are finding it harder to manage everyday expenses. As such, some students at TRU are exploring alternative ways to save on costs.
One solution comes in the form of an expanded program that delivers exclusive discounts directly to students’ phones.
The Deals Discount program, available through a free mobile app, is the result of a student initiative led by the British Columbia Federation of Students, which includes TRUSU and 14 other student associations across British Columbia. Together, they’ve created a shared platform that makes everyday spending a little easier for over 170,000 students in the province.
The app connects students with verified discounts across a variety of categories, including food, health and wellness, travel, technology, retail, entertainment and services. The purpose of the app is straightforward: to provide practical and accessible ways to alleviate financial strain for students.
Each student union involved works with local businesses to secure offers that reflect the needs of their student communities. These discounts are then listed in the app, where students can browse them by category, save their favourites and use a digital card to redeem offers either in person or online.
Among the current offers available to TRU students are discounts at several well-known local spots. Food and dining deals include a 15 per cent discount from Boston Pizza and a burger-and-beer combo at Local Pub Eatery for $12.75 (both offers valid until June 30). Those seeking personal care services can save 15 percent on haircuts at Straight 8 Barbers (offer valid until June 30; some conditions apply).
In the health and vision category, Specsavers is offering 30 per cent off lens upgrades (offer valid until Oct. 1), while students in need of academic support can benefit from a $40 tutoring voucher through Tuex Education (valid until Aug. 31).
To access the discounts, students need to download the Deals Discount App from the App Store or Google Play, register with their TRU student number, and select TRUSU as their affiliated union. After a quick verification process, the app unlocks access to hundreds of offers across B.C.
Once logged in, users can find deals using the map view or explore by interest. Redeeming a deal is as easy as tapping on a virtual coupon and showing the app at checkout.
As affordability continues to be a major concern for students across the province, programs like the Deals Discount program contribute to more than just small savings—they support financial wellness and promote smarter spending habits on and off campus.