Last week, Patti Wyatt saved $5 at Coffee Culture through a Groupon purchase.
She said she purchases deals about once or twice a month through LivingSocial or Groupon - indulging in expensive meals and spa services that she might not otherwise be able to afford.
Now, the 21-year-old exercise physiology senior will have another source for her online bargain hunting.
The University Network, or TUN.com, added UF to its growing list of college campuses last week.
The New-York-based website lists deals and student discounts for surrounding businesses.
Started in 2010, TUN is present on about 200 campuses across the United States and works with about 5,500 businesses.
Unlike companies such as Groupon or LivingSocial, TUN.com does not act as a middleman, providing one-time-only deals, but rather as an advertiser listing long-running deals like happy-hour specials or student discounts.
As of Sunday evening, TUN.com listed about 30 businesses with discounts in Gainesville.
Places like Salty Dog Saloon, Mother's Pub and 101 Cantina list their weekly drink and food specials. Others like Alter Ego Fitness and Regal Cinemas list student prices for memberships or tickets.
If a business does not offer any type of discount, TUN tries to negotiate with the owner to offer one through the website, spokeswoman Shannon Eberly said.
Eberly said the website is beneficial in two main ways. First, by making students aware of discounts that they may not have known about previously, and second, by drawing in young customers to businesses.
"The main goal is to save students money," she said. "We try to do that by connecting students with the businesses in their area."
