My Wednesday Pantry-Stocking the College Kitchen

      Between now and Sunday morning, I'll be jotting down a few simple recipes or throw together  options that are both time and budget friendly, yet  will fuel my daughter and friends with good nutritious meals. They have access to an Aldi, which will be a budget helper, but also walking distance to a local grocery chain if they don't want to drive. They are pretty much campus based for activities and jobs, so I can see them not wanting to deal with trips across town and might just supplement their first stock up wit the walkable options. My "housewarming" kit to the groups is to get them the pantry basics, and they can then shop from there. 

Old photo of my pantry shelf. 

My list

• salt and pepper grinder
• garlic powder
• onion powder
• chili powder
• chili flakes
• Dried onion flakes
• Curry Powder
• Cumin
• Olive oil
• bullion cubes

     This is small stuff. I'll also give her a list of items I think they should buy to have on hand. As she is car space limited, I won't be putting these in her kit. They then can add fresh meat, produce, and dairy, and just replace pantry items as needed. I was p*!# poor in college, and know my eating was probably not the best. I remember many times in college when my pantry was seemingly bare, but being able to cook up some oatmeal or a cup of rice, while not balanced, fed me until I could get a few groceries. While I don't expect her to live like I did, I want the reality of making due on a limited budget to sink in. 

Her list:

• Complete pancake mix/and or baking mix and syrup-which besides the obvious, they can make easy muffins, or think crepe like pancakes to use for  savory lunches and dinners.
• Tea bags-hot or cold, it is such an inexpensive beverage to fill up a travel mug or water bottle (I'll probably stick some in with the spices from my stash)
• white rice
• instant cous cous
• large can crushed tomatoes
• diced tomatoes
• garbanzo beans
• black beans
• pasta
• Non-stick spray
• cream of soup- a couple to have on hand
• oatmeal
• canned fruit-a few to have on hand
• tortillas
• popcorn

     I didn't put items like flour and sugar, as I know she isn't much of a from scratch baker, and if they decide to do a Saturday bake, then they can add to their shop The plan is that they each  will be responsible for their own groceries, but have a sort of household kitty and swap off family meal type making to add variety, fun, and keep costs at bay. One of the girls has a dairy and tomato allergy, so I'd love ideas to send them that are easy, but have neither ingredients. I guess she is a bit of a fussy eater though, so likely the others will still be able to make item that contain both. I estimate I'll spend abut $20 on the spices, and her basics should be able to be bought for another $25. 

     We bought a small meal plan, enough for 5 dining hall  swipes a week, but she will monitor how she uses it her first two weeks on campus and we have until September 8th to reduce or increase. She has a busy schedule with a full course load and three part time jobs, plus  other activities, the on campus  dining might be a real time saver and ensure at least one good meal a day on those crazy days. We're not sure what she'll need for groceries, but we'll be providing a modest grocery allowance and together with the meal plan, should be adequate. We'll save a bit of money over her previous years dining  on campus for most of her meals. In the comments, please feel free to add what you would put on either list.

     I like the BBC show, Eat Well for Less which I can find on YouTube I had DD2 watch a few clips on YouTube with me where Greg and Chris  worked with a household of four college (university) students who were spending an incredible amount on groceries, and often relaying on too much take out.  While the article linked shows how ridiculous this particular group of student spending habits might have been, I can see my kid falling into traps of easiness. Different country, same principle.

Successful Eye Opening Day

I am knackered! We did not get on the road on Thursday until after 4:30, which meant we drove though Minneapolis and the western suburbs in full on rush hour instead of being past it before the real chaos started. We didn't get into our hotel room until 9:30 and our daughter quickly had to log in and finish and submit a paper due at 11:59. She made it but it was close. We ended up running to get each of us a chicken sandwich and some soothing throat drops for her. We were up and going early on Friday, had breakfast and got to the morning scholarship program in ample time. We had a brief time together then she went into a discussion group. Later we met up for a luncheon for all Scholarship candidates. She had her rehearsal, interview, and then audition for a choir scholarship in the afternoon. They provided us dinner passes as well, before we meet up again for a reception with the music department and then the concert. On the road again by 9:15, one stop for gas and bathroom, and home at 1;30 a.m. 

Whew-I am spent. At some point this morning, once the crew is done sorting, I'll go pick up and help deliver flowers and my daughter is doing bell ringing. I'll cobble together something for breakfast, lunch and supper, but at some point will grocery shop this weekend. Snow is in the forecast, so will factor that in my plans. Tomorrow seems free, but I'll want to decorate. 

Here are the eye opening things we learned.

• With what we know already for her scholarship package, we estimate this option will be the lowest cost cumulatively, over four years of the schools she is looking at attending. They guarantee graduation in four years, providing she declares and  by her sophomore year. Yet, the sticker is still high, and we do not have nearly enough saved-cash flowing much year to year.
• My husbands sticker shock was somewhat soothed with being on campus for the full day. The programming, faculty/staff to student ration, and class size and general vibe from the school won him over.
• For our daughter, she was slowly but clearly checking each box on her college search priorities, and we could feel her interest growing as the day went on. 
• She is often uncomfortable in groups where she does not know anyone, but she told us she actually did jump in and participate in the small group, and later in different parts of the day, she greeted and chatted with a couple girls she had met. Some of that is maturing, but a lot was the way this school seems to focus on particular learning styles. 
• We were impressed that while this was a recruitment pitch kind of day, the admissions people reiterated that the students personal fit was most important, transparently saying they are aware that different students thrive better in different settings. Yes, they had their admissions pitch, but we really did feel they were authentic. 
• DH and I are not as young as we were with the older kids. This 33 hour trip wreaked havoc on our bodies. My December Goals post is really resonating with me, particularly the  ones about exercise, yoga, eating well, and not gaining any more weight. 

She still wants to hear from the one school she is waiting on, the school that was her original dream school, a very large university in a city. She should even talk with an admissions person there, understand how it would or would not be a fit for her personally, before making a decision. We don't want her to have regrets that she didn't at least weigh out the option and feel pushed towards a school by us. I think she'll come to the decision on her own, and it will be a more confident one because of that. Now, to look for ways to pinch those pennies while enjoying the rest of our life, and not just putting all our financial eggs in her basket.