Most colleges/universities offer meal plans to their students. This can be a great way to save money on food, but watch out! Sometimes you’ll end up spending more than you have to. Before you sign up for a meal plan, check out your college’s cafeteria. If it looks like a place you’ll eat often and the prices are reasonable, invest in a meal plan. Also, find out if you can use your meal card at local coffee shops or markets. Or are there only a few places where you can pay with it? Chances are, if you have multiple options, you’ll use your meal plan more often.

Does the cafeteria operate on a one price for all-you-can-eat system? Or do you pay for what you get? Some cafeterias are function like buffets. You swipe your meal card when you enter, and get all the food you want. Others are basically like restaurants. You fill your tray with the food you want and the cashier tallies up what you owe at the end. If the cafeteria is a buffet style, you’ll save money by eating there. You can always grab an extra sandwich or two for later. That way, you get two meals for the price of one. If the cafeteria isn’t a buffet style, be wary of the prices. Make sure you aren’t over paying.

Take the convenience of going to your university cafeteria into consideration as well. Are there many alternative restaurants or grocery stores in the area? Would it be just as easy to visit one of them as it is to drop by the dining hall?

If you decide a meal plan is worth it, start out with the standard amount of money on your meal card (or in your account). What amount does your university suggest? Then budget! How much money can you spend on your meal card each week so that you don’t run out of money before the end of the semester? After the first semester, you can decide if the meal plan is right for you based on how often you used it, how much money you spent, and how well it worked with your budget.

-Pick the right place to shop and save.

You won’t always want to eat cafeteria food, take out, or fast food. Grocery shopping can easily break your budget if you let it. The first step to saving is picking the right store. Try to stay away from on-campus markets, the prices there tend to be higher than they are at chain grocery stores (unless you can use your meal card here! Then budget occasional grovieries into your spending, note #1). Research the deals you can get locally. Most grocery stores offer memberships cards that can actually help save you money and, sometimes, they will give you an extra discount if you show your campus ID.

-Shop at the right time.

As the day winds down, some sellers discount items that might be reaching their sell-by dates. It’s a good time to find deals. Stores are typically less crowded towards the end of the day, so you may find it easier to focus on what you need. Try to go grocery shopping after dinner. Shopping while you’re hungry only leads to a cart full of food you never meant to buy. You should limit yourself to going grocery shopping once per two weeks. This will help you keep your spending down and keep you focused on buying only the products you need to get. It’s also a good idea to avoid going when you’re stressed out or down about something.

-Be a savvy shopper. 

Look for the deals, clip coupons, and go generic. Don’t buy product that aren’t on sale. Flip through the local newspaper to find sales ads so you’ll know when something you need is going to be on sale. If you need something that isn’t on sale, find a coupon for it. Collect coupons from promotional ads and store magazines throughout the week. You can also find coupons online at websites like Coupon Mom and Cool Savings. Don’t be afraid to use a coupon on a sale item either! There’s nothing shameful is saving money.

Brand items come with a higher price tag, so go generic. You will never know the difference. Give store brands a try. When you’re in Wal-Mart, try their “Great Value” brands. If you’re shopping in Food Lion, try their Food Lion brand chips instead of the Lays. And remember, always look low on the shelves. Some of the best deals are hidden closer to the ground. Since they aren’t at eye level, many shoppers never even see them.

-Make a list.

Before you get to the store, sit down and make a list of everything you need. Plan out meals and snacks for the next two weeks. Keep your list with you at all times and only buy the food you put on it. If you decide there’s something else you would like to buy, try to trade it for something of equal price that is on your list. If you can’t find something on your list that you are willing to sacrifice for the new product, it isn’t worth the money.

-Think preserve-able. 

Don’t buy foods with upcoming expiration dates unless you know you’ll eat all of it soon. You shouldn’t waste your money on food you are just going to throw away. Try to get frozen, canned, or dried food that you can store for a while as opposed to fresh foods. If you buy fresh, only buy a little at a time. Ramen is one of a college student’s best friends. Pasta, canned soup, rice, frozen veggies, and microwaveable chicken or mozzarella strips are a few of the others.

Check out the menus of local restaurants online before you dine there. Can you really afford it? What are their best deals? If you are going to eat out, decide what you want to order and how much you want to spend before you get there. Don’t let the fancy menus or pretty food pictures break your budget. Some restaurants even have special deals one day a week (like Hot Wing Wednesday). Try going then! Find out if they offer college students discounts. If you have an on campus post office, go there and ask for a coupon book. Many college town businesses put together booklets or loose coupons for students. They may be put in your post office box, slipped under your dorm room door, or tacked on campus bulletin boards.

This may sound weird, but it’s a good way to get a few free meals or snacks. Some clubs serve food during their meetings and let members take home the leftovers. Don’t be surprised if organizations also give away free food for just five minutes of your time or for nothing at all. Pay attention to campus news and know where the food is.

It’s cheaper to buy ingredients in bulk and make your own food than it is to buy meals every day. Learn how to use the groceries you buy effectively. Can you turn that single serving package of Ramen noodles into a pot of vegetable soup? Can you make pizza out of those Pillsbury crescent rolls? Do you have to go to the bakery down the street for a slice of cake? You can make whatever you want with the right ingredients. And yes, those ingredients can fit into your budget!