<p>Even with the numbered meals, though, one can just “cash them out” at the end of the quarter to buy groceries at Banana Joe’s. They’re overpriced compared to just getting things from Safeway, but it’s better than letting any of them expire or feeling a self-imposed desire to “pig out” to make the meal feel worth it.</p>
<p>However, since the numbered meals are assigned a definite value ($8/meal in equivalency dollars, $8.95/meal to add additional meals, $7.50/meal to add additional meals in quantities of 20 or more), I can see some feeling as if more value needs to be gotten from them. But I still feel the buffet style dining is ridiculously cheap when you consider the food being served and what it would cost to have a similar, well balanced meal anywhere else that has been prepared for you.</p>
<p>What I usually see is people with the numbered meals will go in with homework and spend a few hours just sitting, snacking, and getting work done. Or simply using their meals to purchase groceries and extending the value further in their eyes.</p>