<p>im trying to figure out the budget for food for next year & would appreciate your input. i dont skip breakfast like some and also usually have a few snacks throughout the day in addition to 3 meals/day. how much should i plan for food each year? im living off campus but is considering buying a nonresidential meal plan. do you think that'll be worth it? it seems awfully expensive, with about $8/meal, but it also seems very convenient and i can get food to go.</p>
<p>thanks!</p>
<p>I think it is totally worth it. $8/meal is for dinner only for some of the dining commons but this convenience factor is much stronger than you think. Just go for Blue membership meal plan that gives you 650 points per semester. You only have to visit to dining commons 5~6 meals a week (obviously even less if you buy a lot of snacks) so there’s not much pressure to stick with the dining commons food.</p>
<p>you also use it for various snacks and food around campus. Buy the smallest plan, since you can always add points. You aren’t giving up much money doing that, even if you eventually add points.</p>
<p>Depending on where you are living, you could also purchase a meal plan for the International House. If you buy 100 meals, they cost $5.95 each. They never expire, so you can use them over all four years if you like.</p>
<p>Yeah, it’s worth it, and do buy the smallest plan. Like someone else said, you can use the points on campus – Golden Bear, Ramonas, etc. So you’re not stuck with Crossroads or Cafe 3, and you can take out.</p>