Let’s keep it real: as a college student keeping up with class, work, sports and other extracurricular activities, the last thing that you want to do is cook. Luckily we have the ability to choose a meal plan that best works for us.
At the beginning of the semester, a full balance of flex dollars feels like gold: unlimited access to Starbucks, soft serve ice cream and snacks. However, by October, reality starts to set in. Your low flex dollar balance starts to hover over your head, leaving students with an intimidating choice to make: spend money out of pocket or ration the remaining flex dollars in our account.
For upperclassmen that live further away from main campus in Apartment Village (AV), South Campus Apartments or senior housing, who are adjusting to no longer having the security of a full meal plan, low flex dollars can be an even stickier situation.
Junior strategic communication major Mackenzie Powell spoke about her experiences with flex dollars.
“Since living farther away from the dining hall, in Apartment Village, I have had to be strategic when I use my meal plan,” Powell said. “I have now a routine where when I am on campus for class, I will try to use my meal plan, since I am already on campus. However, sometimes I will take a drive up to [A-Town Café] for an ice cream stop.”
Senior elementary education major Lexie Davis juggles the daily stress of being a full-time student teacher and student athlete.
“I definitely miss the flexibility of having a meal plan and being able to use flex dollars to purchase meals whenever I need them,” Davis said. “Having that option made it much easier to manage my meals and fit them into my daily schedule.”
Whether you are hiking all the way from AV or in between class or practices, trying to get yourself to the end of the semester can take serious effort. Here are some essential tips to stretching out the last of your flex dollars.
Making it a meal
One of the most important things to remember before you go to scan for checkout at A-Town Market is “Did I make this a meal?”
Even though purchasing each item individually is faster, this will inevitably dry out your flex dollars sooner. Instead of purchasing everything separately, combine qualifying items to make a flex meal.
Prioritizing your pantry
When you start to reach that 20-dollar balance too soon, you have to do a complete flex-spending 360. In September, Starbucks seems like the perfect morning pick-me-up, but by November, you have to wisely spend every last dollar.
“I did burn through my balance a lot faster than I expected,” Powell said. “However, with my last few dollars I am definitely spending them wisely now on things I need instead of just Starbucks.”
If you are running low on flex dollars, think about your trips to A-Town Market. Stop buying that six dollar latte every day and instead, spend the rest of your flex dollars on food that will keep you full past your 3:30 p.m. class.
Find a flex dollar donor
Since our flex dollars do not carry over, the end of the semester always creates such an interesting divide on campus. Some students have one flex dollar left to their name and others somehow manage to have 200 flex dollars.
Seniors like Davis who have been through this meal plan system for many semesters stress how having leftover flex dollars at the end of the semester is a waste of money.
“I’ve learned that what works best for one person may not work for everyone,” Davis said. “It’s important to prioritize your meals and find an option that fits your needs … I also think it’s important to use all of your flex dollars before the end of the school year because any unused funds go to waste.”
Before you go and waste your last $20 on UberEats or DoorDash, try to take advantage of your already-paid-for meal plan.
“The craziest thing I have seen people do to get rid of remaining flex dollars is take their friends who no longer have any left to the market to go on a shopping spree,” Powell said.
If there’s someone on your floor or in your class desperately trying to get rid of their leftover food before the break, see if you can offer them a drive off campus, in exchange for grocery shopping at A-Town Market or Residential College (ResCo).
Getting low on flex dollars is an experience that all Butler students go through at least once. At this point, it’s also an introductory course in college financial education. All it takes is smart decision making.
Shift your priorities away from too many trips to Starbucks and work toward more wise purchases. Or, if you’re really desperate, find someone who can help fund your end-of-semester needs.