How to: Eat for Free Without the Dhall

Everyone knows the best way to reach college students is with free food — every club advertisement I have seen has had free Trader Joe’s snacks or ice cream from the Square. If you have found yourself tapping your card daily to get your fix of caffeine or want to avoid the often underwhelming taste of HUDS, this guide will show you how to get a full day’s worth of good food for free (or heavily discounted).

Early risings: Caffeine needed ASAP

If you have committed, like many of my sleep-deprived peers, to walking into your first class every day wielding a Blank Street coffee, you know how expensive it can be. Thankfully, you can make this flex a far cheaper endeavor. Convince a friend to invest with you in Blank Street’s Regulars program. For $17.99/week, you can get 14 coffees for free, meaning you and your bestie can be caffeinated every morning for a fraction of the cost.

But, if you’re like me and want something truly free, you may want to consider a different caffeine source: energy drinks. Spend a bit of time on the weekends to head out to local events (Head of the Charles Regatta, Oktoberfest, etc.) and stock up. Additionally, if you find a free vendor, push them for everything they will give you. Get as many free caffeinated and carbonated beverages as you can handle: your bank account will thank you.

Feeling ravenous after 9 a.m. section: Time for breakfast

Now that you have already fueled from your favorite coffee spot, it's time for the next most logical thing: go back to a café for a quick breakfast bite! And there’s no better place than Dunkin Donuts. Joining Dunkin’s rewards program and checking the daily deals has given me countless free or very cheap breakfasts, and it's a great option if you are on the go.

Classes have been grueling: Lunch

Need something more filling to counteract the coffee effects? Head to CAVA for a free lunch! It’s another rewards program to join, but CAVA’s is especially worth it. When you sign up, on the day of your birthday, CAVA will give you a $9 credit to spend! If you play your cards right (the kid's meal can be very filling if you get the most from it), that is a free or heavily discounted and delicious lunch! Reuse that birthday trick as much as you want — a free meal will always taste better than a paid one. If you are willing to jeopardize your zodiac sign and become a Scorpio for the day, tomorrow might just be your CAVA birthday.

Dinner plans with friends fall through once again: Time to scavenge on your own

If your dinner plans seem to never make it out of the groupchat, have no fear. Flyby has the perfect solution so you don’t have to suffer through HUDS dinner alone. Most clubs on campus often have evening time meetings, and, in my experience, love to provide free food. I am not saying to join clubs solely for the sake of a complementary sandwich, but it should always be a factor. Most students do not join clubs for actual reasons other than the LinkedIn grind anyways. Having a club or two that you are a member of and can count on for some free Joe’s or Felipe’s is pretty much common sense.

Beyond a last-minute dinner, club snacks can help you stock up for grind season. If a club meeting ever has an excess, ask if you can take those chocolate-covered pretzels from Trader Joe’s home! I promise you will be doing club leadership a favor.

Psets are kicking your butt: Pause for a sweet treat

Looking for something ooey-gooey (and free)? Insomnia Cookies has your back. Their rewards program gives you a free classic cookie upon sign-up, and you can make a new account every night! A good dessert can make or break your night, and even though Chip City is far better than Insomnia, a free cookie is a free cookie.

I, like most, need to be in a certain mood for a cookie to sound good. Something I always have the appetite for, however, is ice cream. In the square, ice cream is SO expensive (talking about you, J.P. Licks). My go-to, and the way cheaper option, is Lizzy’s! While it is not free, it will save crucial dollars, and every dollar counts when it comes to cheap food options. Plus, it tastes significantly less chemical.

From free birthday rewards to taking as many free snacks as your heart desires, there are several ways to eat free on campus. You can effortlessly steer clear away from dhall concoctions without draining the bank account. The best-tasting food is free: happy foodie-ing!