How to manage your finance as a student

When I chose Stuttgart, I honestly did not know much about the city. What attracted me was the university and the professional opportunities in the region. But once I arrived, I was surprised how expensive Stuttgart felt, especially when it came to housing. That feeling is not just personal. The University of Stuttgart itself says that living costs in Stuttgart are high and that international students should currently expect at least 992 euros per month for living costs alone. 

If you commute every day, a ticket like this can save you both money and stress. But if you mostly walk, cycle, or stay close to campus, it is worth checking whether you really need a full monthly ticket.

One obvious option for students is the Mensa, there are different options for different tastes, and it is more student-friendly than eating out regularly.

That said, for me personally, cooking at home was usually the more economical option. Even cooking a few basic dishes in larger portions can make a real difference over the month.

Two other options that are worth mentioning are “Too Good To Go” and foodsharing. “Too Good To Go” lets you buy leftover but perfectly fine food from cafés, bakeries, restaurants, and shops, often for half price or less. Foodsharing is another useful option if you want to rescue edible food instead of letting it go to waste. The platform is free to join. 

If there is one area where Stuttgart can really shock you, it is rent. If you apply for student housing, be flexible. The Studierendenwerk explicitly advises applicants to indicate several dormitories, and it also warns that you need to keep confirming the link they send you at regular intervals. Otherwise, your application can be deleted. That is the kind of detail that can save you a lot of money and stress later. 

Be careful with rental scams with unrealistically low rents, landlords who say they are abroad, and requests for advance payment before you have seen the place. Never pay money in advance, and always insist on visiting the flat and getting a written lease. 

This is something I wish I had understood earlier. When you first arrive, it is easy to feel that you need to buy everything immediately and buy it new. But there are alternatives.

In Stuttgart you can often find used furniture for a good price or even for free through places like flea markets, Freeguide Stuttgart, or eBay Kleinanzeigen. Sharing and lending at the university, including free tool lending for bike repairs at the bicycle workshop in Vaihingen is also a good option for cost savings.

So, if I were starting again, I would not rush to fully “set up” my student life in the first two weeks. I would first buy only what I truly need, and I would look for second-hand options before paying full price.

Another practical tip: keep the receipts for bigger study-related purchases. If you buy a laptop, tablet, software, headphones, or other equipment for your studies, those documents may become useful later. The German tax authorities recognise work equipment as relevant for tax returns. So even if you are not sure yet whether it will help you personally, keeping the receipt is simply the safer choice. 

And if you are just starting your studies and come from a low-income household, it is also worth looking at the Studienstarthilfe from the Studierendenwerk Stuttgart. It is a one-time 1,000 euro grant, not something you have to pay back, and it is specifically meant to help with costs like learning materials, a laptop, or a rental deposit. 

If you live in a shared flat, only one resident usually has to register and pay the “GEZ”, and the others can share that cost. But in student housing, it can depend on the layout of the building: if your room is considered its own dwelling, the monthly fee of 18.36 euros may apply per room. 

Health insurance is mandatory in Germany. Public student insurance is reduced compared with regular rates, and many statutory insurers also offer bonus programmes for healthy behaviour such as exercise, check-ups, or fitness activities. Some health insurances says its bonus plan rewards sports and other preventive activities.

For me, saving money in Stuttgart was never really about deprivation. It was more about learning how the city works, where the hidden costs are, and which student options are actually worth using. Once I understood that, saving became much easier.

Arya