Consumption and expenditure patterns for daily meals of students who reside in dormitories. INTRODUCTION. Significance of the StudyAccording to John Maynard Keynes, the discussion of consumption and expenditure is important to economics, environmentalism, geographic analysis and many other fields. In this study, the analysis of food consumption and spending habits of students away from home can be used for the future implementation of university policies that would provide financial and other aid to students. During 1998-1999, British students studying independently showed an upward shift in their spending habits on food, bills and other household expenses. This increase in student spending is mainly due to inflation (Callender, 2000). According to Callender (2000), 10% of these students said they were considering dropping out due to financial difficulties, while three in five students studying away from home believed that financial difficulties had negative effects on their studies. However, 86% of these students still believe that going to college would benefit them financially in the long run. With this in mind, students will be more likely to do better in school if they can get help with their financial difficulties. And since these students are away from their families, they resort to ready-to-eat and easy-to-cook foods, which also increases their expenses and may have certain nutritional implications on them. Palma (2002) stated that more and more Filipinos are eating less at home. The majority of these people are working mothers, drivers and students. According to her, five out of ten Filipinos eat at fast food chains, three at fine dining restaurants and the rest at bakeries and small food outlets or what is commonly known as carinderia. Fast food restaurants have become popular because they are very convenient for people who have a lot of things to do and so little time to eat. Hopefully this study will help solve the problem many students have on how to budget for their allowances and provide elements for possible university policies such as financial aid, loans and scholarships that will help these students survive with the meager allowances that their parents were able to give them. Additionally, since the target population is students living in dormitories, the researcher hopes that this study could help these students. students become aware of their food consumption even if they are far from home. The study aims to help students know the nutritional implications of the foods they eat and help them make good decisions about the types of foods they will spend their money on..