Matthew Plowman, 19

Photo: Jake Malooley

You live at the University Center dorms?
Yep. I’m a freshman at Columbia.

How’s school?
Financially, it’s a humbling experience.

Empty wallet, huh?
I’ve paid for movie tickets in quarters. Usually I’ll pay for one movie and I’ll stay for one or two more—make it a triple feature.

Ever hunt through the garbage looking for those free-refill large popcorn bags or large soda cups?
It hasn’t gotten to the point where I’m eating my food secondhand.

What are you studying?
Film—screenwriting concentration. I’m hoping to move to L.A., write my own scripts and try to get them marketed.

Well, at least you’re used to starving.
Sometimes I bring Tupperware in my backpack to the all-you-can-eat cafeteria, and take a few extra pieces of pizza back to my room for later. The myths about college kids eating ramen and macaroni all day are true. I probably eat ramen every other day.

Do party supplies factor into your budget?
That’s like the one area of my budget that I’ll open up for. It’s not so much about getting the good alcohol. It’s about getting high quantities of it. As far as girls, it’s all about 7-Eleven dates. You go to 7-Eleven, get some ramen and then you go back to the dorm room.