How to Save Big On Meats
How to Save Big On Meats
Unless you are a vegetarian, finding ways to save on meat is probably a fairly important part of keeping your grocery budget in order. Everyone that enjoys meat as a part of their weekly budget knows what it feels like to watch their grocery bill skyrocket when they begin adding the meats to the cart.
Fortunately, however, that can be a thing of the past. There are a whole slew of ways to cut back on your meat budget and save cash. Here are some of the greatest ways you can save on meats and enjoy a reasonable grocery bill again:
Go hunting
Hunting is certainly not for everyone, but it can absolutely save you some serious cash. Hunting for deer is a very viable way to stock up and store meat if you live in a place that offers such an opportunity. Make sure you follow local ordinances, but hunting is a legitimate option for some.
Learn to recognize the yellow labels
Grocery stores will mark down meat regularly when the sell by dates get close to expiring. There is absolutely nothing wrong with these meats and they can be purchased and frozen or consumed right away. This alone will save you a fortune on a regular basis if you buy meats commonly.
Marked down meats are found in the chicken areas, steak, hamburger and even in the specialty meat areas on occasion. Pay attention and grab the meat deals when you find them!
Get to know you butcher
Every meat department has their own schedule for when they mark down their meats. Getting to know your butcher will often score you some inside information. If you get there early, you can score the best cuts at the best price. Knowing your butcher also helps when you are in a rush and need something pulled to the side.
Invest in a good freezer
For the majority of these tips, a good freezer is a must. Go ahead and invest in a freezer that you can store your meats in and not have to worry about them going bad. Meats keep very well as long as you put them away immediately and you prepare them properly. A good freezer is a must.
Buy meat in bulk when appropriate
If you come across a monster deal on a particular meat, you need to go ahead and buy it up. Doing this when the opportunity arises will ensure that you never pay full price for a meat. This alone will lower your grocery bill and keep you loaded up with delicious choices. Having a good selection of meats always available in your freezer allows you to get creative with recipes too.
Explore cheaper cuts of meat
Not everyone can eat the less popular cuts of meat, but they can be even better than the others when prepared properly. The power of marination combined with a wonderful recipe can make the worst cuts of meat incredibly delicious. Learn some creative ways to prepare the cheaper cuts and you are going to save with even deeper discounts.
Eat less meat
We all know that meat is not good to eat constantly. Cut back on your meat intake and replace it with vegetables, legumes, beans and various other healthy alternatives. You will be healthier and can then be more particular about the meats you invest in.
How do you save on meats these days?