If you are a freshman forced to have a meal plan, chances are you have a ton of DineX left over. With the end of the semester fast approaching, you stand to lose a lot of free money (just kidding, it’s actually really expensive money *laugh/sob*). Don’t let it go to waste! Spend, spend, spend! When else are you going to have the opportunity to grab anything and everything from the store shelves without a care for how much it costs?
That said, there are good ways to spend your DineX, and there are decidedly more, shall we say responsible, ways to spend your DineX. Here are some suggestions.
What to Spend Your DineX on in order to . . .
A. Feel Like You’ve Got This Adulting Thing Down
The short story: household products and toiletries. If you can stockpile these items now with money you already have, you’ll have money later for things you really need, like this tiny sandbox or this macaroon pillow.
The long story:
- Toothpaste
- Toothbrushes
- All the medicine
- Cough drops
- Band-aids
- Gauze
- Feminine hygiene products
- Deodorant
- Shampoo
- Conditioner
- Lotion
- Dish soap
- Hand soap
- Bar soap
- Laundry soap
- Basically all the soap
- Dryer sheets
- Stain remover
- Nail clippers
- Makeup remover
- Razors
- Shaving Cream
- Chapstick
- Contact solution
- Paper towels
- Napkins
- Kleenex
- Air freshener
- Sewing kit
- Tape
- Ziploc bags
- Clorox wipes
B. Not Starve During the Apocolaypse
The short story: non-perishable food. That way, in the near future when you no longer have more blocks than you could ever need, you’ll still have something to eat. Maybe not the healthiest something, but something.
The long story:
- Peanut butter
- Nutella
- Chips
- Ramen
- Cookies
- Crackers
- Pretzels
- Goldfish
- More Ramen
- Macaroni and cheese
- Ravioli
- Cereal
- Candy
- Canned tuna
- Soda
- Juice
- More Ramen
- Flour
- Sugar
- Baking Soda
- Cake mix
- More Ramen
C. Survive Finals Week
The short story: it’s coming up fast, my friends, and we need to be prepared. No one recommends that you pull multiple all-nighters in the library, but in the event that such a thing somehow ends up happening, be prepared. Lots of caffeine and sugar.
The long story:
- Soda
- Coffee
- Iced coffee beverages
- Energy drinks
- M&M’s
- Skittles
- Twizzlers
- Sour Patch Kids
- Chocolate
- All the candy
- Oreos
- Chips Ahoy
- Milanos
- All the cookies
- Pringles
- Doritos
- Tostitos
- All the chips
- Pizza rolls
- Ice cream
D. Be Charitable
The short story: You can tip the delivery people and servers from certain off-campus dining locations with DineX. You don’t have to spend all your money this way, but consider leaving a large tip at least once when you venture or order from off campus for food.
You could also by a few necessities for a friend who doesn’t have a required dining plan, or to donate to a local food bank or shelter.
Hopefully this gives you some ideas about what to do with all your DineX. Whatever you spend it on, remember to have fun. Having a few hundred dollars around that you have to use to buy whatever you want is a rare occurrence.