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You could add one more step to the fund by having them catch their own bait. In MA you can use sunfish as bait, so instead of buying shiners, I bring a small jigging rig with a #12-14 size hook and put a little piece of worm on it. The baby sunfish and baby perch will attack it while trying to beat out the larger fish. I then unhook the sunnies and perch and live line them under a bobber for bass and pick's.
(Since the sunnies are caught fresh, and haven't been transported in a bait bucket they are REALLY lively. Since they are also the natural food source for the predators in our waters, the will attract them just as quickly. On a good day 1 worm can get you a dozen or more little fish, and since they both breed like flies, you won't be making much of an impact to the pond ecosystem.
Give it a try when you get a chance.
Note that the sunfish will survive longer on the hook than perch or shiners, and I've seen bass chase them like a dog chasing a squirrel, with both fish leaping out of the water during the pursuit.
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