The subject of purchasing meat is probably one of the most popular among couponers. With meat couponers non-existent except for the occasional promotion or store coupon, meat is the one area a grocery store can really stick it to us. However, there are ways we can save {and save BIG} when buying meat. Here are a few tips and suggestions you can use to cut your meat bill at least by half!
Invest in a proper freezer (chest-style or upright) to maximize your savings.
Storage is key to saving big. What good is it to scout out deals when you have no place to store your spoils. A new chest-style freezer can be had for around $160 {used ones on Craigslist or eBay run considerably less}. This can seem too much of a price tag for some, but I promise you it’s an investment that will pay off big in the long run.
Plan your meals in advance OR plan them around sales.
When meat and poultry go on sale, it’s important to decide what your game plan will be. Choose between long-term where, for example, you write up a month long meal plan ahead of time and wait for the deals to match your plan. You end up buying in bulk and storing for a longer period of time. This allows you to take advantage of lower prices per pound as well as B1G1 deals. You can also choose a more short term approach and simply write up a plan after the fact. For example, if chicken breasts are on sale, buy as many as you need for your family. Then sit down and write up a meal plan that incorporates the chicken you just purchased. This is a more laid-back option that can work for small families or individuals that aren’t looking to store copious amounts of meat. Decide which one works best for you, and STICK TO IT. With perseverance, either option can help keep your meat and poultry consumption on track.
Look out for B1G1 deals and STOCK UP!!!
The great thing about a B1G1 free deal, especially when it comes to meat, is that the store is giving you an automatic 50% savings! These deals can also cover bulk packaged items – even better! Conclusion – pair a great sale price with large portions and stock up.
Watch out for markdowns!
Even if you are not going to the store for meat, head over to the meat section and look out for bargains! Most stores will discount meat if it’s close to the date, or even to get rid of some stock. The best time is to go right when the butcher goes in and right before he leaves. Also look out for coupons on meats because you would be surprised on what you might find!
Consider buying meat at a butcher shop or at a grocery store that offers custom butcher services.
Growing up in a family of three, we bought meat once a month. The meat we purchased lasted that long. We purchased half of a top round priced under $2 a pound and had the butcher cut it up into steaks as well as ground beef and meat for stews. If we had decided to purhcase these cuts separately, our meat bill would’ve been astronomical. By buying in bulk when there was a sale {important!}, we were able to cut our bill by more than half. There are many grocery stores that still offer these services. Even if the store turns out to be one that you usually do not shop at, it might be worth making it your “meat” store while sticking to another store for your regular groceries.
Forget about convenience when it comes to meat and poultry.
Buying skinless chicken, for example, is very convenient but extremely pricey. Skinless and boneless chicken can differentiate in price from the skin-clad versions by as much as half! Is it really worth it to pay double for the convenience of not having to pull the skin off a piece of chicken?
Buy frozen vs fresh.
Frozen meat and chicken are automatically less expensive than “fresh” cuts. You can save big by shopping frozen, so keep that in mind the next time you’re in the meat and poultry department at your grocery store.
Prepare meals that call for meat as an ingredient rather than the main dish.
For example, instead of serving each member of a family of four an individual chicken breast, use just two breasts and cut them into smaller prices. Toss them into a pot of fettuccine and, voila!, you have Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo. The entire family still get their protein and in portions that are less likely to go to waste. Let’s face it, how many kids do you know will actually consume an entire chicken breast? I rest my case.
Hope you found these tips helpful. Even incorporating a few into your shopping routine will certainly shrink your meat bill. Good luck!
Thanks Confident Couponing!
I have been doing the target thing for about a year now. I go to target once a week and if they have a great sale with the sticky coupon i get it.
Another neat way to save in certain states is the rebate savings you can get on meat thru a Beer company. Like in NC you are not required to buy the beer. I find most of the time I achieve back most of my money for the meat I buy this way. If you go to ebay and search for rebates then go to you left and hit on foods you can find rebates for meat without having to buy the beer. You simply just buy the meat and mail in the form and register receipt doing the things it tells you to do and then you receive a check in the mail in a couple of weeks for your purchases. Beer companies always offer good money savings on top of even your natural savings thru coupons already…
I buy all my meat at the local Butcher Shop. They have locally raised meat and run amazing specials. About once a month they will run a special on a really great mix of meat. $1.99/lb for ground chuck & ground turkey. It’s like a half & half of the meat world lol. Can even score ground turkey for $1.29/lb once a month. I was also surprised to see that their ground chuck was 80% meat and has none of that pink slime the major food stores sometimes use.