Most college students are faced with a daily battle of epic proportions -  their empty wallets wage war on their empty stomachs.

Students often engage in a daily scavenger hunt for whatever nuts in berries they can get their paws on, or at least afford. Fortunately, many eateries near campus offer special discounts – the perfect remedy for the starving student. Here are three tips for eating on the cheap near ACU Hill.

No. 1: Get a Collegiate Card- The collegiate card is available in the Students Association office in the basement of the campus center. Frankly, if you don’t have one yet you’re missing out. This little piece of plastic is gold and capable of securing discounts at places like Sonic where you can get happy hour prices all day.

No. 2: Don’t be afraid to show your ID- It’s a good idea to show your college ID wherever you eat, even if it’s outside the Abilene area. Many restaurants – from fast food to fancy – offer discounts for students. The only way to find out is to ask.

No. 3: Get a routine- Yes, doing the same thing over and over again is dull, with the exception of food. Several local restaurants offer special deals on certain days of the week. You can get a chicken fried steak meal at KFC for two bucks on Wednesday, and you can get brisket sandwiches from Betty Roses for just $1 on Thursday’s. When it comes to savings, having a mundane schedule makes sense.