Are Meal Plans Worth It?

rs0525
Tue, 13 Aug 2013 21:44:42 +0000

If you have a debit or credit card, don’t get a meal plan. If not, get a declining balance. It’s much more flexible than a meal plan - you can use it at any restaurant, dining hall, or store (except the bookstore) on campus. Unlike flex bucks, your balance rolls over semester to semester. I got a meal plan in Fall 2012, when I started at UF. I didn’t like the dining hall food very much, so I converted it all to a declining balance of about $2,000. After, Fall, Spring, and Summer B, I still have nearly $200 left. I did eat off campus somewhat frequently with friends though.

Bottom line: DON’T GET A MEAL PLAN!..unless you like mediocre food and plan on eating for most of your meals in a given week.