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?
Comments
Jennapher: omg, this has been going on since like forever. I think there is even a scene in Catcher in the Rye that has Holden Caufield taking an extra something from a bar or diner. Something no one has mentioned is that you are paying for the food that you order, so instead of buttering your bread you slip the pats of butter into a plastic bag in your purse. No one is suggesting or encouraging stealing from businesses, the idea here is to take a small advantage of what you are already paying for. BTW, "broke" college kids have eaten and will continue to eat fast food, what does economic status have to do with it? And, students can do the exact same things suggested here when they eat at the college commissary. Please save the moral outrage for an issue that matters. Just saying.
Kylee: One of the only things you should take home is leftovers
Alice: This article and the reactions here are hilarious
Diana: I don't understand what all the fuss is about. I'm pretty sure McDonalds wouldn't care if you took a couple of their napkins besides no one ever said go take from small businesses wherever you want to take these things from is your own problem if you feel that it's wrong because it's a small business then don't take anything and go elsewhere. Boom! Problem solved
Tammy: She did say fast food. But my suggestion for struggling college kids is the dollar store. Or a regular grocery store.
Aimee: 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.
Ashley: @Aimee M absolutely, you're right. But that's why I said "fast food" in the second sentence of my article. Taking a few extra packets from McDonald's is not going to cause them to go bankrupt. I never once insinuated taking from small businesses.
Anishai: guys, please don't be that critical. Ashley wrote her opinion and that probably shared within the students. It's good chance to talk and discuss the points to help others see the other part on these "solution" ;)
Stacey: I don't think it's wrong at all from taking a couple from a multi million pound company like mc Donald's or KFC but maybe you shouldn't take any from smaller struggling businesses.
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