BY TAYLOR EVANS // MARCH 19, 2014 //

The majority of college students are broke; it’s just the way it is. I know I am.

After working all summer we often think we’ll have enough money to last us through the next academic year, but it never works out that way. If you are the rare few that isn’t broke, consider yourself lucky.

I love food, probably a little more than a girl my size should. But since I am a food junky and possess little monetary wealth, I have figured out a few things to help me budget when it comes to food.

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If you want to save money throughout the entire school year, get one of the lower meal plans. Here at Curry, I get 14 meals a week, which I never take advantage of. Coming into college, I questioned if that would be enough for me. But I’ve come to find out that it’s hard to make time for three regularly scheduled meals a day. Sometimes, I don’t get around to dinner until late, when there are few inexpensive options other than fast food joints.

Skip the McDouble and large fry at midnight, though. Use the money you saved from a less expensive meal plan to grocery shop. There is a Stop & Shop close to campus, and they have great options—especially if you want to eat healthy. You would be shocked at how much money you can save by buying your own food and making it yourself.

Also, when it comes to food shopping, keep your eye out for coupons. Coupons are all around us, and although one coupon might not seem like a lot, things add up. Sites like Groupon also always have great deals. Other great sites include CouponMom.com and GroceryCouponNetwork.com.

Budgeting can be tough, especially when you’re on a tight budget. But money affords you options—and that’s just the way it is.