In the 70s you obviously didn’t have a microwave or fridge in college dorms. I’d spurge on Sunday getting a 1 piece chicken snack pack and get a coke from a machine for $2. Minimum wage was about $2/hr.
Today’s min. wage is about $16/hr. and a fast food meal is also $16 so nothing has been gained. We have lost the value of any savings we managed to accrue.
I had a frige in my dorm room in 1977. We weren’t allowed to have microwaves. They were huge then anyway and cost hundreds.
One water boiling plug in pitcher for ramen soup and a popcorn popper.
Room came with a cafeteria plan. Good and plentiful.