8 Things to Take from Restaurants to save Money in College ...

You may think it’s difficult to save money in college, but there are tons of tips and tricks that can help you shave off costs. Fast food restaurants are the ideal place for stocking your kitchen, so if you’re not afraid of getting a few dirty looks from the employees, follow these tips and you’ll definitely save money in college!

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1. Napkins

Save money in college by taking some extra disposable napkins from a fast food restaurant. Paper towels are always in severe shortage at my house, and buying a new pack of rolls can get pretty pricey for a student’s budget. If they’re in a dispenser, take a large stack. You might look a little odd, but trust me, those little napkins will come in handy. If you’re going through the drive-thru, ask the cashier for extra napkins. If you have any doubts, just remember they’re free and it’s okay to take more than you need as long as you don’t go overboard.

2. Sugar and Sweeteners

An obvious one, right? There’s usually a little bowl with packets of sugar and other sweeteners on any table in most restaurants, fast food or not. Take a several packets—not the whole bowl!—each time you go out to eat, and pretty soon you’ll have your own sugar stockpile.

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3. Salt and Pepper

A lot of times, fast food restaurants will have little packets of salt and pepper that they’ll put into your bag if you ask them. Ask for a few packets of each! They might not be a proper replacement for quality cooking salt and pepper, but they’ll make do for sprinkling on meals.

4. Condiments

Do you know how much money you can save on condiments alone? If you’re into making sandwiches for lunch, this tip is for you! Stock up on as many condiments as you possibly can, of all different varieties. Ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, barbecue sauce, and even soy sauce from Chinese restaurants. These little packets will always come in handy.

5. Silverware

More like plasticware, I suppose. But, an arsenal of plastic forks, knives and spoons will definitely get you through any meal. Sure, it might seem like you’re poor—but then again you’re in college, so it’s the same thing, right? You’ll get used to eating with plastic silverware soon enough, and it’ll save you plenty of money on the metallic counterparts.

6. Cups

I know there’s plenty of fast food places that have plastic cups that can be washed and reused. These cups are my LIFELINE. I use them for everything, and the great thing is that they’re portable. Those cups can be taken anywhere. Plus, they’re nice and big so they’ll hold a lot of liquid.

7. Bowls

This might sound really weird, but it’s not, I promise. There’s a salad place close to my house that serves the salads in these big plastic bowls with a lid. I discovered that instead of Tupperware, I can just wash this plastic bowl and reuse it for practically any kind of meal, not just salads. With good care and thorough washing, those plastic bowls will last me months!

8. Butter

Butter? Yes, butter. You know how restaurants will usually serve some bread when you first sit down? Well, along with the bread they’ll usually include a few little packets of butter. If you know you’re going home soon after, snatch that butter! It won’t be enough for any baking needs, but it’s perfect for some hot buttered toast in the morning!

Keep in mind that all these things need to be taken in moderation. They may be free for you to use as you like, but it’s just rude to take an entire container of sugar and leave none for the next person. Are you a student in college? Have you found ways to save money? Would you consider doing some of the ideas listed above?

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Where Thoughts and Opinions Converge

Okay I have a really good one: eat leftovers! And normally if you are not in a fast food restaurant you can ask for a to-go drink too

I sincerely hope this is an April fools joke. Restaurants are businesses, many of which are struggling to make a profit in this economy. Suggesting that things like sugar packets, etc should be taken from them is completely ridiculous. Re-using cups and bowls is one thing, and a great idea, but restaurants provide condiment packets, sugar, Splenda, etc as a courtesy to their customers. These often become very costly to restaurants, since there is no extra charge for them. I usually thoroughly enjoy all the articles, but I am highly disappointed to read this.

I honestly think this is unnecessary I understand if you happen to have had extra ketchup in ur bag or something but that is stealing in all Honesty. Your morals should be higher then that. Plastic cups that come with your meal anyway and that stuff ok but stealing extras and taking the sugar is just rude.

@Rachel Tibbs no need for name calling. Show some maturity.

Wow.. Never expected to see this kind of reaction here. Chill out people. When she said fast food restaurants I immediately thought of the multi-million dollar chains, and I think that's what most of us would think of. Never once did I think of a small business. So I think most people reading this actually get her point and won't be stealing from any small business and its owners.

Fast food*

agree with Liz

@Ashley Delgado I understand completely encouraging small ways to save money, I myself just graduated from college. However, as Gwen said, in small businesses, every little bit counts. Better to pick up that one packet of ketchup and leave the other three you might have thought of taking. While it may be nothing to a huge chain like McDonald's, you have to realize you are encouraging an action that could really hurt small individually owned businesses. Having worked in a restaurant myself, you would be shocked how much those individually packaged products cost.

This article and the reactions here are hilarious

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