<p>I have seen many references about the meal plans not being worth the money in this thread. My son has a housing number of 350 and he is still trying to decide on a dorm. He is leaning towards Wildwood and I see that a meal plan is not mandatory which is a bit confusing since the dorm rooms in Wildwood do not have a kitchen? Wouldn't it be more expensive and a hassle to pay for each meal individually than purchase one of the FSU's meal plans?</p>
<p>The meal plans aren’t worth the money. Unless you use every meal (and then spent all of your flex bucks, etc) it’s really not economical. </p>
<p>The meal plans are now getting upwards of $2000 a semester for the most part. For that price, you can normally buy the meals individually and save a lot of money.</p>
<p>Totally agree. My son lived in Wildwood and I just loaded his FSU card with Garnet Bucks that he could use anywhere on campus, not just the 2 you have to eat at with meal plan. Once or twice a semester, campus dish will run a special like, buy $X dollars of garnet bucks, get 10% free. Saved a lot of money over the meal plan.</p>
<p>How does that work Stanton mom, can they use garnet bucks to also go to the dining hall? As my daughter will be a freshman and has a very low number and wants Wildwood, would she be able to eat any meal in a dining hall with friends we opt for the garnet bucks route? Also if she ends up eating mostly at the dining hall, is that still cheaper than buying the meal plan? She isn’t a big eater, some meals just fruits and salads.</p>
<p>If you get a meal plan, can you choose a different one in the Spring or does it have to be the same one? </p>
<p>My son tends to eat 4 or 5 smaller meals a day - so I could see him popping in for an apple and water or some pasta and water between more normal meals. He runs so is always hungry. So I was thinking the meal plan would be nice for that. Plus I think he’d eat more fruits and veggies in a cafeteria setting then going to fast food type places around campus. </p>
<p>But If I went with the 5 day all day plan and he decided the 14 meal plan was fine (keeping fruit and waters and breakfast items in his room) I was wondering if he could make that switch in the Spring. </p>
<p>Since my original post I have learned that in lieu of purchasing a meal plan that a student can put money on their ‘FSU Card’ and they can use this card at any dining location on campus, including the dining halls. </p>
<p>In order for the meal plans to make sense a student would have to eat three true meals a day averaging $5-$6.50 a meal. </p>
<p>My son was in the dorm fall of 2012 and spring of 2013 and I know meal plan prices have gone up since then. I did all the math back then and it did prove out that in our case it saved money. He did keep cereal and snacks in his dorm room and so some days only ate one meal out. I don’t know if its the same now, but if you bought meal plan in fall, you had to keep it for spring - you can upgrade plan but not downgrade. You can track the garnet bucks(money you put on their fsu card) online and add to it anytime via credit card</p>