On your personalized path towards modern frugality you will quickly notice most of your accumulated couponing deductions are isolated to the grocer of your choice; making local sense to look to additional saving methods by department. With prices skyrocketing at a rapid pace it is safe to say that the majority of your money, without deduction, will be housed within the meat department; if meat purchases are applicable to your family unit. Let’s take a moment to examine additional methods to procure meat at a considerable savings to you.
1. Eliminate the Middle Man – Personally, I purchase everything direct from the local butchering shop. This differs slightly from big city butchers in that the animals are killed, dressed, and package for sale all within the same facility. This allows an average savings of $300 per month (and at times much more), since I am cutting out the middle man. I absolutely recommend that you reduce the amount you spend for meat by getting rid of the expense of a middle man. While prices vary per area, I can purchase ground beef at a price of $0.49 per pound instead of $4.99 yielding a significant difference. Purchasing the whole cow/pig is also another option, this saves a considerable amount; plus you can opt for choice cuts that your family consumers reducing waste for pennies a pound. Simply purchase a chest freezer to make bulk purchases, never buying more than your family will consume in an ideal time frame prior to spoilage. I usually re wrap meat in freezer paper and label the paper with the type and date, rotating prior purchases to be used first; this allows me to freeze meat purchases longer.
2. Shop by the Sell by Date – When purchasing meat you will notice a “sell by date” stamped on the package, this date concludes the time the store can sell the item according to the stores delivery schedule. Grocery retailers like Wal-Mart and Kroger are very good at removing meat from the shelf and discounting the price. This date does not indicate the expiration date but the date in which a new shipment of meat will be coming in; the store must clearance the meat as a sign of rotation. Use your best visual judgment for these items to reduce buying meat that is indeed too old to consume. Do know that some stores attempt to profit by adding food coloring and repackaging, usually this is disallowed by the FDA. Some frugalists choose their store based on the meat counter.
3. Sam’s Club/Costco – You may have also noticed that each morning Sam’s Club/ Costco discounts their meat. Due to the bulk purchasing of this meat they are required to move the meat at a quicker pace, which means they must clearance the meat for their members each morning. I have purchased two whole fryers for a price much less then I’d pay at other grocers for only one; pennies per pound. Keep in mind these meat sales may be hit and miss, depending on demand and stock.
4. Use Meat Coupons – Much to your surprise meat coupons are a reality, you will first need to visit the manufacture for the coupons. Inquire with your grocer as to the packaging manufacture; typically they only use a single manufacturer. Packaged meat items seem to come with the most coupons that you can clip from inserts, such as Tyson chicken, Hormel, or Fishers lunch meats; also print store coupons for additional savings. At times couponing is a treasure hunt, meat coupons are indeed a treasure to find.
5. Shop Meat Sales – At your local grocer you may discover that 10 items for $10 is a regular part of the sales cycle. Some meat items are included in these sales. When you discover a meat sale of this nature you should stock up on what you find on sale, making note of when the cycling sale is. Typically, these meat items are fresh and have not reached their sale by date; mentioned above. I’ve also spotted a diverse variety of 10/$20 sales of 6/$20 depending on the grocer with much more choice cuts of meats available at a discount price. Again, stock up.
1. Eliminate the Middle Man – Personally, I purchase everything direct from the local butchering shop. This differs slightly from big city butchers in that the animals are killed, dressed, and package for sale all within the same facility. This allows an average savings of $300 per month (and at times much more), since I am cutting out the middle man. I absolutely recommend that you reduce the amount you spend for meat by getting rid of the expense of a middle man. While prices vary per area, I can purchase ground beef at a price of $0.49 per pound instead of $4.99 yielding a significant difference. Purchasing the whole cow/pig is also another option, this saves a considerable amount; plus you can opt for choice cuts that your family consumers reducing waste for pennies a pound. Simply purchase a chest freezer to make bulk purchases, never buying more than your family will consume in an ideal time frame prior to spoilage. I usually re wrap meat in freezer paper and label the paper with the type and date, rotating prior purchases to be used first; this allows me to freeze meat purchases longer.
2. Shop by the Sell by Date – When purchasing meat you will notice a “sell by date” stamped on the package, this date concludes the time the store can sell the item according to the stores delivery schedule. Grocery retailers like Wal-Mart and Kroger are very good at removing meat from the shelf and discounting the price. This date does not indicate the expiration date but the date in which a new shipment of meat will be coming in; the store must clearance the meat as a sign of rotation. Use your best visual judgment for these items to reduce buying meat that is indeed too old to consume. Do know that some stores attempt to profit by adding food coloring and repackaging, usually this is disallowed by the FDA. Some frugalists choose their store based on the meat counter.
3. Sam’s Club/Costco – You may have also noticed that each morning Sam’s Club/ Costco discounts their meat. Due to the bulk purchasing of this meat they are required to move the meat at a quicker pace, which means they must clearance the meat for their members each morning. I have purchased two whole fryers for a price much less then I’d pay at other grocers for only one; pennies per pound. Keep in mind these meat sales may be hit and miss, depending on demand and stock.
4. Use Meat Coupons – Much to your surprise meat coupons are a reality, you will first need to visit the manufacture for the coupons. Inquire with your grocer as to the packaging manufacture; typically they only use a single manufacturer. Packaged meat items seem to come with the most coupons that you can clip from inserts, such as Tyson chicken, Hormel, or Fishers lunch meats; also print store coupons for additional savings. At times couponing is a treasure hunt, meat coupons are indeed a treasure to find.
5. Shop Meat Sales – At your local grocer you may discover that 10 items for $10 is a regular part of the sales cycle. Some meat items are included in these sales. When you discover a meat sale of this nature you should stock up on what you find on sale, making note of when the cycling sale is. Typically, these meat items are fresh and have not reached their sale by date; mentioned above. I’ve also spotted a diverse variety of 10/$20 sales of 6/$20 depending on the grocer with much more choice cuts of meats available at a discount price. Again, stock up.
