<p>Loyola seems to employ a system where you put a certain amount of money on a card, and then each meal or food purchase is debited from the card.</p>
<p>I would put the minimum required on a dining card. It’s good to have some meals shared with your classmates, but you don’t need to eat 3 meals a day in a dining hall - too expensive! I would plan on eating one meal a day in a dining hall M-F.</p>
<p>I would make good use of grocery stores - bagels, fruit, etc. If your parents are willing and able, have them stock you up with non-perishable microwaveable foods (my kids like the Chili bowls and the Clam Chowder soup bowls), cereal boxes, non-fridge juice bottles, water bottles, etc from Sams Club or Costco or similar. Those can be stored under your bed. There is even shelf-stable boxes of milk that you can have on hand when you run out of regular milk. </p>
<p>I would ask my parents how much they can help with the food area - since they won’t be feeding you at home. It would seem reasonable to me that when your parents grocery shop, they can pick up a few sale items or good deals for you to help you save on food and toiletries. Ask them about that. If I remember correctly, your parents live close to Loyola. That means that they can easily get such things to you on a semi-regular basis. (That may also mean that you can do your laundry at home every few weeks and save that way )</p>
<p>Ask your mom for some microwaveable containers. It may be best if they serve two purposes - cooking in them and eating from them. </p>
<p>I’m guessing that your dorm will have a micro-fridge in it. Make use of that. If you need ideas, I can help with that. 
Even spaghetti is easy to make with a microwave. </p>
<p>I realize that your parents don’t think that they can help much with college costs, but with their income they should be able to help a little here and there…for a text book, a graphing calculator, some food items, etc. Talk to them about helping out with the little stuff.</p>
<p>What are your plans for a summer job? :)</p>