Positive Financial Habit #1:
Shop Smarter
We are kicking off our Positive Financial Habits series with a tip that applies to everyone: smarter grocery shopping! It’s all too easy to bust a budget while browsing the snack aisle. Building smart shopping habits while at the store can be easy with a few minutes of planning before you head out the door.
A few easy ways you can stay on budget while at the store are:
- Plan meals ahead and stick to your grocery list
- Only buy the quantities you need for the specified period you’re shopping for and that you can eat before they expire.
- Compare ads and brands for the best price.
For more grocery budget tips, check out this blog.
►Tight on Funds?
The UMKC Kangaroo Food Pantry is open and ready to help you stretch your grocery budget if you find yourself low on funds. You can find staple pantry items, fresh dairy products, and seasonal vegetables available to you on the first floor of the School of Medicine.
I have linked a few recipes below that use staple Kangaroo Pantry items to supplement your ingredient list paired with items you already own to create a yummy meal!
All recipes are from a fantastic resource called Budget Bytes. This website lists 100s of recipes that are budget-friendly. Check out the category “Meals Under $10” to get inspired on low-cost, high-taste recipes. Visit the website here.
#1 Spicy Peanut Butter Ramen
Pantry Ingredients: Peanut Butter, Ramen Noodle Pack
Recipe: Spicy Peanut Butter Ramen – Quick & Easy! – Budget Bytes
#2 Quick Veggie Pasta (ANY pasta, ANY veggie works!)
Pantry Ingredients: Spaghetti Noodles, Canned Chicken Breast, Seasonal Fresh Veggies
Recipe: Quick Veggie Pasta – Vegetarian or Vegan – Budget Bytes
#3 Tuna and Red Pepper Pasta
Pantry Ingredients: Canned Tuna, Spaghetti Noodles
Recipe: Tuna and Red Pepper Pasta – Budget Bytes
#4 Cheesy Chicken & Rice Casserole
►Great for leftovers or meal prep!
Pantry Ingredients: Canned Chicken, Rice, Milk, Canned Mixed Veggies OR Fresh Veggies
Recipe: Cheesy Chicken Vegetable and Rice Casserole – Budget Bytes
#5 Raspberry Oatmeal Bars
Pantry Ingredients: Oats, Jelly
Recipe: Raspberry Oatmeal Bars – Budget Bytes
Want more budget-friendly meal inspiration? We suggest this article.
►Resource Reminder:
Click the image below to watch a short video on all the features AAMC Financial Wellness offers.
ANYONE who signs up for AAMC Financial Wellness and creates a budget by October 31 will be entered into a drawing for a prize!
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September Events:
Caring about Credit – Tuesday, September 21 @ 2 pm. Location: 402 Student Union (Volker)
Join us to learn what credit is, how scores are calculated, and how to responsibly use a credit card to build your credit history. RSVP on RooGroups.
Financial Wellness Meet and Greets – Get to know the Financial Wellness Department! Visit our table and grab a free snack in the SOM Lobby on September 30th and October 1st. More details and times to come. See you there!
