A little math goes a long way…
Jan0
By the end of last semester, I had about 50 meal plans left in my account. A&M’s stupid policy wouldn’t allow roll-overs for meal plans, so that means I had to use them up or lose half of the value to dining dollars ($3). I wasn’t prepared to do that, so before I left for Christmas, I bought a crapload of Chick-fil-a to take home. A stunt I don’t want to pull again this semester.
So, with my calculator and a little spare time, I calculated which meal plan I should get for spring
| Name | Description | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 210 Meals/$125 Plan | 210 Meals/semester – $125 Dining Dollars/semester (averages 14 meals/week) |
$1,442.00 |
| 150 Meals/$150 Plan | 150 Meals/semester – $150 Dining Dollars/semester (averages 10 meals/week) |
$1,133.00 |
| 105 Meals/$200 Plan | 105 Meals/semester – $200 Dining Dollars/semester (averages 7 meals/week) |
$906.00 |
| 10 Meals /$1250 Plan | $1250 Dining Dollars/semester – 10 Meals/semester | $1,442.00 |
| 20 Meal / $900 Plan | $900 Dining Dollars/semester – 20 Meals/semester | $1,133.00 |
| 30 Meals / $600 Plan | $600 Dining Dollars/semester – 30 Meals/semester | $906.00 |
| 20 Meals / $350 Plan | $350 Dining Dollars/semester – 20 Meals/semester | $541.00 |
| 45 Plan | 45 Meals/semester (averages 3 meals/week) | $335.00 |
The dining dollars have an 110% purchasing power (10% discount), and assuming each meal is worth $8, I would save $375.5 for the first plan, $232 for second, -$154, -$13, -$17, -$6, -$4, -$25. But we all know a “Maroon Plate Special” isn’t worth $8, unless you go to Sbisa for all-you-can-eat.
Anyway, I was just surprised that I’m not actually saving money when I purchase a meal plan – I’m actually better off paying my meals with my credit card. I don’t have to worry about having a zero balance at the end of semester, and I have better flexibility with what I want can get.
Interesting, innit?