Why should I get one or not? Is having cash/debit/credit good enough to buy food?

If you get a meal plan then you just don't have to pay tax on the foods. Most places on campus only accept cash and meal plan. Getting a meal plan is just more convenient so you don't have to carry around cash and other loose change and you don't pay the tax.

Most places on campus now take debit. Not sure of the entire list but cafe one, iahs are two that take debit for sure.

Note that if there is excess money left over at the end of the year, it is NOT refunded. if you choose to get a plan, you can go with a smaller plan and then add on money as needed later on.

Originally Posted by Ish001

Note that if there is excess money left over at the end of the year, it is NOT refunded. if you choose to get a plan, you can go with a smaller plan and then add on money as needed later on.

That's a bit of an oversimplification. Only money in a specific account isn't refunded. The other two accounts are refundable. And when I was off-campus, all I did was add money as I needed it onto one of the other accounts that is refundable - there wasn't even a specific "plan" needed (though those options were available if I wanted to use them).