If you’re anything like me, you’ve ignored your ever-shrinking meal plan balance every time it’s displayed on the Pollock Asia Market touchscreen. You definitely had enough for the crab rangoon and maybe even a Starbucks drink from Edge to reward yourself for going to class.

Times have changed, and your once insurmountable balance has dwindled. It’s time to learn how to budget. Here are some tried and true tactics to help you feed yourself through finals week.

Skip The Ready Made Options In The Market

Ready made meals are super quick and easy solutions to your hunger, especially when classes and clubs are cluttering your schedule. Be wary, though, as the campus markets sell these pre-packaged meals at prices well above their other options. Consider instead the sub shop, grill, or pizza stand in the dining commons while on a budget. They’re not as convenient, but getting a 65% discount on your meal is definitely worth standing in line for your food.

Another option is to take advantage of the buffet system. I know, the menu isn’t always enticing and the hours can be a little bit restrictive, but the best bang for your buck on campus can be found at the dining hall. It’s all-you-can-eat, meaning you can get the salad, sides, entree, and dessert with just one swipe. If your game plan is to get as much food as possible, it’s really a no-brainer to hit the buffet for lunch, load up your container, and take it to go so you can munch throughout the day.

Crash Some Department Functions

You might have ignored those countless emails from professors and coordinators within your department about different meetings and lunches, but I’m here to remind you that they’re usually free! I know talking to important people within your major plan can be scary, but these networking events will both feed you and possibly set you up for a better future, so make a plan to visit at least one as the semester winds down.

Phone The Family

If you’re lucky enough to have folks that agree to pay for your meal plan and things are looking dire, it might be time to ask for some more help by making a deposit to your LionCash account. While it might feel a little shameful, your benefactors have invested in your education already, and it won’t pay out if you die of starvation… Another good thing to remind them is that laundry costs money, too! They won’t want you to smell bad when they pick you up next week, so it should make for a convincing argument.

Find A Frugal Friend To Help Out

If you’ve been complaining to your friends about your low meal plan balance, chances are you have found a friend with the opposite problem — having too much money to spend. Remember that your meal plan vanishes at the end of the spring semester, so they’ll have to spend it eventually. Say “pretty please,” and see if they’ll take you to the dining commons for a nice meal. You’ll be “helping them out” by spending their money, and the meal you’ll share together could be a great bonding experience. What a win-win!

Check The TVs In The Commons For Deals

You’ve probably tuned them out of sight after walking by them every day, but the TVs in the commons actually flash some pretty good deals. Take notes and tailor your tastes to what’s on sale this week. It might save you from a two-week-long ramen sentence.

Hunker Down, Eat Ramen

It’s cliche, but it works. You are down to $40 in your account, and using the dining hall isn’t an everyday option anymore. So if your parents have respectfully declined to top off your LionCash for the final push of the semester, ramen packs from the market might just have to get you through your day. Make sure to look out for ways to get your other nutrients, though. Sodium can’t do it all.