Whether you are new to Oulu or have lived here for some time, here is a convenient list of money-saving tips. This list pertains to Oulu City, and does not include services available in the suburbs.

Free parking:
Currently, free parking is available at these locations:

* In places where there is a time limit, you must remember to set your parking clock with your arrival time and place it in the window where it is clearly visible from the outside. Parking clocks can be purchased from most department stores and hardware stores.

Free public toilets:

Seasonal clearance sales:
Watch for major department store sales: Stockmann has Hullutpäivät (Crazy Days), Kärkkäinen has Sikapäivät (Pig-out Days), and Halpa Halli has Shokkipäivät (Shocking Days). All clearance sales are advertised in the newspapers.

Oulu City Art Museum:
The museum, located on Kasarmintie in Myllytulli, offers free admission on Fridays.

Discount Cards:
There are 3 major kinds of shopping discount cards: Plussakortti (Plus card), Bonuskortti (Bonus card), and Etukortti (Advantage card), all of which can be used at a variety of shops and restaurants. The cashier will scan the card every time you make a purchase, which builds up credit points. When you have a certain number of points in your account, you will receive coupons by mail, which can then be spent as cash the next time you shop. There are specific products which you can sometimes only get at discount by showing your card to the cashier. The cards are all free, and application forms are available at supermarkets. Also, watch for coupons in free weekly newspaper inserts.

Hairdressers:
The cosmetology department of the trade school (Oulun Ammattiopisto) on the corner where Isokatu turns into Kasarmintie, offers hairdressing services by students for both men and women. Prices start at about 7 €, which includes a wash, cut, and styling products. The salon accepts Visa and Visa Electron. For reservations call 08-312-8432. The training salon is closed during summer and appointments take considerably longer than at a regular salon, but if you are flexible with time it is a great bargain. Alternatively, at many other salons around the city, you can look for advertised “Oppilaistyö” (student work) by cosmetology trainees, which generally offers about 20% off.

Clothes:
For the best prices on casual clothes, try Citymarket (K-Market) at Raksila mall (Kajaanintie), Prisma supermarkets in Linnanmaa and Limingantulli, Kärkkäinen discount store on Alasintie in Limingantulli, and Nettomax on Kempeleentie in Heinäpää.

Discount bus fares:
This link contains information about bus prices: 
http://www.koskilinjat.fi/in_english/fares/city_tickets/index.html

Some examples of discount ticket prices:

There are also special prices for children and students. All bus cards can be purchased at the Koskilinja office, Hallituskatu 11. Tel: (08) 555-0253, 555-0524

Discount bus fares also apply for the OuluCard system, which is a smart-card that can be used for various city services, both normal priced and discounted.

Generic food brands:

Watch for Pirkka, Rainbow, X-tra, First Price, and Euroshopper labels.