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Broke college student needs ideas for food to eat to survive

I give my vote for eggs (+bumming of course). While rice, potatoes, noodles etc will keep you away from hunger, they only consist of carbohydrates. Eggs will give you the rest as they have lots of proteins (pretty much all kinds of proteins that human body needs) and fats.

So, eggs + something that has lots of carbos is my recommendation. I would also look at whole grain products (rice and pasta) because they include lots of fibre which has no calories but keeps you full. Things made of just white flour only boost your hunger, that's what I have recognized.
 
foidulus said:
Just a warning, this is technically illegal. I know some people who got in a ton of trouble for selling MREs. Odds are you won't get caught, especially if someone is just giving them away, but it is a possibility.
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Perhaps. But they were given to me free of charge, and only in small quantities and on rare occasion (I would've felt uneasy about being given a whole case of the stuff). Besides, this was over twenty years ago, so I think the statute of limitations is past.

That's right, I finished college over twenty years ago. Now get off my lawn! :p
 
In college I lived on ramen , and hot dogs...well of course cheep beer.:D I lived above a convenience store and my room-mate worked night shift at the mini mart. He used to hook me up with the old hot dogs off the roller grill in stead of tossing them at the end of his shift...little tough but it was food:D
 
StealthRider said:
I have a better idea - don't buy $300 phones with $60+/month contracts if you can't eat as a result. :rolleyes:
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This is a lesson many techies and tech lovers learn when they leave the nest for the first time. I think the OP said he/she was a techie.

As much as I love Apple, I assessed my needs vs. my wants and I found I don't need an iPhone, even though that and the Blackberrys and Droids seem so much fun. Being rather broke these days like many of the people in my rural county, many people have dropped iPhones in favor of a regular cell phone and when they used to have Power Macs or Powerbooks, they now have iMacs, Macbooks, or Mac minis. The Apple Store where I live only has one Mac Pro on the shelf and they never get inquiries for that. The 17" inch MBP on display is still and old generation model and they don't sell those either.

Not only do contracts for smart phones cost a lot, I have found with many people instead of being a tool, all the apps make the smartphone a very fun time waster (when they could be working, cleaning the house, doing homework) and some people get downright addicted to their smartphone.

Also besides finding out needs vs. wants, one has to also find out if they are using the technology or the technology is using them. The worst case scenario, which is all too often the truth, is like that GEICO sales ad guy pretending he is a teenage girl and bashing into everything while driving a pink SUV while being distracted with their smartphone.
 
StealthRider said:
I have a better idea - don't buy $300 phones with $60+/month contracts if you can't eat as a result. :rolleyes:
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you know before you jump on him for the phone remember a few things. In todays college world you need a cell phone because it is very difficult to next to impossible to get by with out one. Remember most people you are working with have phones and many of them will be long distance numbers and text messaging is often used to plan and chance study groups.

Also on phones remember that could easily be covered under the parents so again non-issue on monthly cost. I am on a very limited budget and I have a smart phone but I do not pay the monthly contract on it. Just figured I would point that out.

As for a way to get some easy money go sell some plasma. Plasma centers tend to pop up around colleges often.
 
dXTC said:
Perhaps. But they were given to me free of charge, and only in small quantities and on rare occasion (I would've felt uneasy about being given a whole case of the stuff). Besides, this was over twenty years ago, so I think the statute of limitations is past.

That's right, I finished college over twenty years ago. Now get off my lawn! :p
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Not yet... you need to wait until it's 35 years after college to yell at me to get of your lawn...:D:D:D
 
Go for cheap and filling - rice, dry beans, potatoes, pasta, etc.

Not to take a dump all over the ramen idea, but it's incredibly unhealthy to eat only that. Very high in sodium, fat, and hardly any vegetable content to speak of.

If you go with a store brand, a 1 lb bag of spaghetti goes for about a dollar, same with a can of pasta sauce. That's easily three meals.

A bag of rice goes for about a dollar and a half, a bag of red beans is about a dollar. Cut up about fifty cents' worth of onion and celery, and you have a huge pot of red beans and rice - easily 6-8 meals right there. Spread some of your peanut butter on the leftover celery for a snack. :)

Buy a huge bag of store brand cereal and a gallon of milk - for about four bucks, you can have about 10 breakfasts.

Others have mentioned it, but don't discount the free samples, especially at warehouse stores like Costco or SAMS. They're typically out in force every Saturday and Sunday. You might not get a full meal out of a single visit, but it could be enough to take the edge off.

Whatever you do, don't spend the money on anything to drink - just drink water.

Best of luck to you.
 
Most supermarkets have discount shelves, usually in the back of the store. You can get many types of food and canned goods with dented packaging at huge discounts - things like soups, vegetables, mixes, drinks, dried foods, pastas, and sometimes even perishables like breads and pastries.

I hit up this section every time I go to the supermarket, and it always helps me get through the week!
 
Look around your school's psychology department and see if they're doing any studies.

When I was broke as an undergrad, I'd look at local colleges in and around my area (Boston) to see if they had any put on by their students. Usually, the studies would be quick 30-minute questionnaires or computer exercises for $10. If you're lucky, you might get referred to other studies. In one instance, I had to wear a heart monitor and watch The Dark Knight. I was paid $75 for that. Not a bad deal.

I did this throughout undergrad and during the summer right after graduation while I was looking for work as a means to get groceries.

Hope that helps. Good luck!
 
timerollson said:
Look around your school's psychology department and see if they're doing any studies.

When I was broke as an undergrad, I'd look at local colleges in and around my area (Boston) to see if they had any put on by their students. Usually, the studies would be quick 30-minute questionnaires or computer exercises for $10. If you're lucky, you might get referred to other studies. In one instance, I had to wear a heart monitor and watch The Dark Knight. I was paid $75 for that. Not a bad deal.

I did this throughout undergrad and during the summer right after graduation while I was looking for work as a means to get groceries.

Hope that helps. Good luck!
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I did this a few times during undergrad. One of more interesting ones was supposedly a test of how alcohol affects reflexes. I thought "Hey! Free booze and money!". They were testing us on this driving video game. I noticed I wasn't getting buzzed, even after 4-5 rum and cokes, so I kept telling them they needed to make them stronger. Of course, they were really testing placebo effects as all they were doing was wiping down the rim of the glass with alcohol to give the smell and taste. I told them they couldn't fool and experienced drunk like me. :)

Anyway, another tip: make friends in the food service industry. Like someone else said, I had one friend who would bring home old hot dogs and chicken strips from the convienence store where he worked. Another friend worked in a pizza joint and would give me stuff at employee prices or sometimes free for "mistake" pizzas. Oh yeah, I second the ramen, with lots of spices added in. I still can't stand ramen to this day because of eating it in college.
 
IKEA serves meals for $3, if you don't mind Swedish food (meatballs). Otherwise, the McD dollar menu is a good choice if you aren't good in the kitchen. I also second ramen. I lived on that stuff too when I was in college. I also supplemented my income in doing survey questionnaires online and from school. I'd usually get $5-10 for each completed. It wasn't much, but it certainly helped in the long run.
 
God, this thread reminds me of my college days! :eek:

I still don't know how I lived through those years. It was horrific and I was so skinny. I think everyone has given good suggestions, but also, don't forget Chef Boyardee ravioli! It's yummy and has everything.
 
Surely your parents would lend you some money to get FOOD?

If not... then Noodles, Eggs, Bread.

I find it hard to believe that you only have $20 and no way of getting a little more. I am a uni student. If I ever was that low on cash I would have to ask my parents or a friend etc if they would borrow me some until I get my next payment.

I know that sounds like a knock on pride, however... thats what friends/family are for...
 
Rodimus Prime said:
you know before you jump on him for the phone remember a few things. In todays college world you need a cell phone because it is very difficult to next to impossible to get by with out one. Remember most people you are working with have phones and many of them will be long distance numbers and text messaging is often used to plan and chance study groups.
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None of your arguments require a smartphone. The phones you get free with contract text message and even make phone calls :eek:
 
I know quite a few people that donate plasma for cash.
Actually let me be more specific. I know a few people that donate plasma for pizza and beer money.

I don't.
 
jknight8907 said:
None of your arguments require a smartphone. The phones you get free with contract text message and even make phone calls :eek:
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you missed another one.

If his parents are paying for the phone. Cell phone bill has nothing to do with his monthly expenses and lets assume he uses his iPhone as an iPod as well. Again a great device for studying. I use mine all the time when I am studying to create back ground noise to block out other sounds while I am studying.

As for the smart phone. The email from my blackberry has been a great tool for me when I am working with class mates as I often will fire back quick response from them when working on homework or projects together.
 
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