During the first week of each semester, amidst the crowd of students navigating to their new classes, there are always special booths around the Tempe and downtown Phoenix campuses handing out maroon and gold coupon books. Last semester instead of pitching it in the recycle bin, I decided to open ASU’s Student Insider resource guide. Blown away by the amount of coupons for businesses right in our stomping grounds, I felt like I had struck gold! Unfortunately, I never got around to using any of them.

Is this buried under papers? Dig it out and save money! Photo by Gabriela Rodiles.

This semester, it’s going to be different. I vow to you, Other than Ramen readers, that I am going to take advantage of these stellar offers and save some serious moolah! Whenever I feel the urge to dine out, I will refer to our handy dandy guidebook and make an effort to either use a coupon and visit one of the places they recommend. After I do so, I will pass my review on to you so you can do the same.

Lost your edition of Student Insider? Fear not! Go to www.studentinsider.com to access all of the coupons online and, better yet, have them texted or emailed to your cell phone so you don’t risk loosing your paper copy. The best part: There is no limit on how many times coupons can be accessed and used! Also for your convenience, the website provides a Google Map of each venue, along with a link to their website to check out their menu or hours of operation.

Everyone loves frozen yogurt…Well, you will love it even more when you get a 25% discount at MoJo or 3 ounces free at Yogurtland! Other smoking deals include: Buy two tacos, get two free at America’s Taco Shop and a slice of cheese pizza and 24 oz. soft drink at Sal’s Pizza at the Vue.

The infamous orange package.

If there is one food that is infamous among college students, it is Ramen Noodle Soup. Popular because of a one-step preparation that is practically impossible to mess up and an affordable price that will never break a tight budget, Ramen never leaves a student hungry. But setting aside all the positives aspects of this one-cup wonder, my question is, “Do people actually enjoy eating Ramen?”

I believe that every person, no matter how thrifty or culinary challenged, should have the opportunity to eat delicious and inexpensive food, especially during college.

My goal is for the Other than Ramen blog to be your source of anything and everything food. If you are looking to change up your dining hall regime or are too crammed to make a grocery store run, hit up the blog to read about restaurants that are easily accessible around the four ASU campuses. Throughout the semester, I plan to highlight local eating spots in reasonable distance that offer a pocket friendly menu, convenient hours and delicious large-portioned dishes that will ensure leftovers for a day (or two).

Through Other than Ramen, I hope to inspire college students to bring out their inner culinary side and add some spice to their typical eating habits. Relying solely on a microwave and mini-fridge can present challenges for cooking, but I like to see this as an opportunity to be innovative and simplistic. I am not naïve enough to think that every college student is a Julia Child wannabe like me, but I do know one thing for a fact: everyone likes to eat.

I like to think of groceries like clothing.

There are some items, like trendy clothes, that expire over a certain amount of time. Just as jeggings will come and go, fruits and vegetables only last for a while before they “go out of style.”

On the other hand, there are “investment pieces” of clothing that can be worn through the decades seamlessly. Jeans that fit like they were practically custom made or a button down shirt that will help you land any job both fall into that category. I consider groceries like peanut butter and honey (which never expires) to be my culinary investments.

As college students, we need to be smart and realistic about our shopping, especially when it comes to food. Bananas and apples are intimidating because they have to be eaten a.s.a.p., but they add a fresh taste and nutrition value to ordinary items. Purchasing culinary investment pieces to mix ‘n match with a few trendy items will result in the creation of scrumptious snacks.

Here is a munching idea that employs both your trendy and investment groceries. Top a Caramel Corn Rice Cake with any of the following to make around 15 different combinations of a Jazzed Up Rice Cake.