How To Get the Most Out of Your Meal Plan

So we're all broke college students-- well, maybe not yet, but eventually our parents will cut us off and we will be jobless and homeless with a $200,000 education.  It's important to learn tricks now for healthy spending habits when we are older.  One of the best places to save money is in your food budget.  We're all a fan of the wrap/chips/drink combo at the Cave or the Bistro, but there are many ways to get more out of those precious 14 or 19 meals per week.  There may be a time in your life where you scrounge through couch cushions for enough change to buy Top Ramen, so pay attention:

*Note:  There is a fine line between stealing food and taking advantage of what is yours.  Don't resort to thievery.

At Mather:  This is the easiest place to be thrifty, as it is an all-you-can-eat extravaganza.  However, if you're not keen on shoving three plates of food in your mouth in one sitting, you can casually bring home a few snacks for a late night of studying.  We all know that grabbing an apple or banana for tomorrow's breakfast is a good idea, but why stop there?  Bring a Ziploc to fill with your favorite cereal (Lucky Charms never last long!) and grab a thermos full of milk- voila! There are often disposable coffee cups under the counters at Mather if you want to grab something to go.  Make a sandwich, then transport it safely in one of the empty bread bags at the deli counter.  Use these ideas to get some creative snacking going.

Not Okay: Having a friend sneak you in the back without swiping; taking plates, glasses, and silverware (with the exception of trays for sledding—and return them!); dumping the entire pot roast into your bag for later. 

The Cave/The Bistro:  It’s harder to take advantage of the meal deals here, but not impossible.  Obviously accept the largest drink size (no extra charge) and fill it with Gatorade to chug after you work out.  Ketchup, mustard, and mayo are free, if you want to resort to that.  Equally stingy but more useful: stock up on plastic silverware, paper cups, and napkins!  But please, remember to recycle.

Obviously:  Don’t take food from the coolers and casually skip the cashier.  Stealing.

Extra Meals: Ahh, Thursday evenings.  When being too hungover to make it to Sunday brunch finally pays off: an extra meal. Five and three-quarter glorious dollars to spend on crappy snacks and moldy meals.  Obviously, Thursday night is the beginning of your weekend festivities, so think about what you might need to supplement those activities.  Tropicana juices go like lightning at the Cave, ad they’re probably not part of your “healthy breakfast.”  Chips are great munchies for late-night study parties—or just late-night parties.  I like to stock up on yogurt and cereal for next week’s breakfasts—which results in more extra meals! 

Use them wisely, and treasure them well, because in real life there is no meal plan.