The cafeteria is a staple of life on campus for many Harding University students. However, the allure of the restaurants lining Race Street does not go unnoticed.

The Christian Science Monitor reports that there are more than 950,000 restaurants in the U.S., and about 8,000 more sprout up annually. The restaurants in Searcy that seem to change from year to year speak to this. Pasta Grill, 2841 E. Race St., is one of the newest contender in Searcy, rising from the ashes of what used to be a Pizza Hut.

See the graphic below to find out how a college student's annual budget for eating out compares with what he spends on room and board, and on credit card payments. Also, check out this breakdown of the average student's budget.

Students like senior Jonathan LaBello try to strike a balance between the cost of eating out and the quality of food enjoyed.

LaBello lives off campus and said he eats fast food a few times a week. He said he prefers to eat at Taco Bell for its inexpensiveness and the discount for Harding students.

“You can eat [a lot] for six dollars, and it’s even cheaper if you just order just from the value menu,” he said.

Some students prefer to forego fast food in favor of sitting down and being served at a restaurant.

Senior Tiffany Jones lives on campus in Pryor Hall. Even though she has a kitchen, Jones said going out to eat with friends is still a priority.

“Going out to eat with friends is one of the things I save money for,” said Jones, who does not pay for a cafeteria meal plan.

Of the five students asked, on campus and off campus, an estimated $125 is spent eating out every month. That translates into an estimated $1,250 during a 10-month school year.

Senior Flor Ramos lives on campus and said she eats out almost every day.

“Unless my friends ask me to sit with them in the cafeteria, I always eat out,” Ramos said.

Senior Grant Dillion said his campus eating includes a bagel and coffee every day. He said frequents Midnight Oil and the Underground, two local coffee shops, the latter of which grants a 5-percent discount to Harding students.

While eating out certainly takes a toll on one's wallet, it doesn't have to break the bank. According to Broke Grad Student, a blogger who recently finished a graduate degree and contibues blogging about ways to save money while paying off student loans, these tips can help anyone shave numbers off his or her monthly eating budget:

• Drinking water at restaurants is a quick and easy way to save at least $2 on each meal.

• If you are desperate to eat out but money is tight, try going out for lunch and eat at a reduced price instead of a full-price dinner.

• Share your food or save the leftovers. Dinner portions usually are larger than your stomach. Either eat the leftovers for a meal the next day or split the dinner and an appetizer with a friend. At most restaurants this will be more than enough food for two.

One final tip is to remember to local eateries if they offer a Harding student discount. You may be missing out!

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