A dollar is worth a Penny at Penn State.

Do you remember when your mom used to yell your name from downstairs saying, "Food's done!" As you rush downstairs, you see a plate full of home cooked foods with steam rising from it. So many options. But for some odd reason, you still want to have takeout instead?

                                                                   Home Cooked meal
I used to crave fast food when I was back at home before I came to college. Now, I completely despise it. You know why? Why should I eat healthy when salads cost $8 while French fries are only 79 cents!?!? Obviously I'm going to get the French Fries if I'm not trying to go broke.

                                                                       French Fries
On top of that, Penn State's students use a budget called "meal plan" in order to buy their foods. I have the highest level, which is level 6, but I'm still broke before the semester ends. College isn't cheap. As a student that comes from out of state, I have to pay nearly $15,000 a semester just to attend this university. Both of my parents got middle class jobs, but that is still not enough to cover the expenses. It makes one hundred percent sense on why students tend to go "broke" at college. Lets examine them:

Meal Plan Comparison

Question	LionCash+	Commuter Meal Plan	Campus Meal Plan
Is there a base cost?	No	No	Yes $1,330 per semester (2015-2016 rate)
What are the meal plan costs?	Based on amount deposited	Level 1: $500 Level 2: $1,000	Level 1: $2,065/semester Level 2: $2,155/semester Level 3: $2,215/semester Level 4: $2,340/semester Level 5: $2,425/semester Level 6: $2,600/semester (Amount includes base cost)

In order to wash your clothes, you have to spend 1 dollar and 50 cents. Then, in order to dry your clothes, you must spend 50 cents to dry it. That is already 2 dollars for one set of clothes.  Now, times that per week in a semester and that's close to 200$ spent on laundry.

                                                                    Washer Machines
In order to be prepared for classes, you must buy books that you will most likely never use again later on in your life. For one class, a book can be 50$. Not bad right? But imagine 4 other classes that you got to buy books for, and can vary from $50 to $300? Yea. No wonder why I'm debt.

                                                                 College Textbooks
Remember all those French Fries you brought from the Big Union or Roxy's? Well, you got to burn off those calories one way right? So you need a gym membership to target all components of your body. Luckily, these gyms have all types of machines that can target your legs, arms, bottom, stomach, and more. What's the catch? Gym membership cost 120 for two semesters! You might think that's not bad, but it adds up quickly!

                                                                           Gym
You can't forget living on campus! Nearly $3,000 a semester for a double traditional room. I can only imagine what a suite will cost for each semester.

                                                              A typical dorm room
You want to join a fraternity? You want to join a sorority? That's a great idea! There are many connections established from Greek Life due to networking, but how much are dues? You said a couple of thousands? Ouch. My pockets are literally screaming for help.

                                                              Fraternity of Sigma Pie

Moral of the story: Penn State University is not cheap. Of course you want to be engaged in the community and live the lifestyle you want, but everything comes with a price tag. Everything adds up so quickly without you even realizing it. Therefore, to those college students, not only PSU students, be conscientiousness on what you spend your money on or else that dollar loses its value.