Buying Meat

[ssanders80]

Hi All,

I'm new to couponing and HT is my local store. Since there are so few coupons on meat, what advice do you all have on how much should be spent on meat and based on the sales, what is considered a "good buy?"

Thank you!

Stephanie

[thompson589741]

only you can determine what is a "good price" for you and your budget.

lately I have found lots of meat winetags which help, but I rarely find them as much as I have in the past month. so here are a few things I have started doing:

*first find out when they mark down their meats(my store usually marked them down after lunch time)---freeze them or cook them when you get home
*ht bogo deals can be a great way to stock up while the price is good but take mental note of the bogo price, because sometimes a discount deal will be better.
*check the butcher counter, surprisingly enough many of us have found cheaper meats at the counter than inthe packages, such as chicken breast $1.99/lb every week! and stuff at the butcher counter is well trimmed, unlike the packaged items with with hidden fat pockets undernieth.

I always browse the meat section for markdown stickers, even if I am not planning on getting any meats. Because this occurance is unpredictable I have a hard time setting a certain amount of money only for meats. but relying on my stockpile helps me to be a little more loose with my budget.

Check the forum of Rebates. North Carolina is a great state to reside in, because there are so many rebates for meat and seafood that can help recoup the money you have already spent, so SAVE THOSE RECEIPTS!

I also try to make sure I have enough meats for 7 to 10 meals, that way if there isn't a great deal on meats the next week then I have enough time to find a good deal or marked down meats.

take advantage of the evic meat deals, usually they turn out to be a good deal.

well I think that about wraps it up for me. hope some of this helped! happy shopping!!

[$Saving!]

I'm a 'floater' type shopper when it comes to meats. Whoever has the best deal is where I get it.

As to best buy price, that depends on your immediate market area as many different areas have different pricing

For me, the boneless, skinless chicken is $1.99 top price I'll pay and you can usually find that at one or another store at least once a month.

For frozen turkey breast, $0.99 - $1.09 is the top price I'll pay for those.

Spiral sliced ham, $2.49-$2.99 is max I'll pay. Pork center loin (whole), $1.99 is my max price on that, but can find it for $1.49 once in a while and will stock up at that price.

Just picked up whole sirloin roast for $2.49 lb and bought three, left two whole and had the butcher grind up the third as it's a dollar cheaper than the best price on 93% lean ground beef.

But as thompson pointed out, stock up when the price is lowest, providing you a span of time to wait for the next good sale to back fill your stock.

If you only buy enough when it's on sale to get your immediate needs, you're stuck having to buy at whatever the going price is when you need it again and can't wait for another sale

For example, in my freezer right now I have 6 turkey breasts that I got at 99/lb at Target three weeks ago, will last us about 10 months or so. Gives me plenty of time to buy another one or two at the same price or less if they should go on sale somewhere along those 10 months

[sternforpres]

Personally, I shoot for a buck a pound when looking for marked down meat, unless its some kind of angus or HT trader steak. I think most stores finish marking down by 3pm.

The cheapest standard meat is bone in chicken of any sort, leg quarters, breasts, whole cut up chicken or whole chicken (except wings, which are a ripoff). FYI, my HT in NC has boneless skinless chicken breast for $1.99 every day (its in the butcher's case next to the steaks).

Hard to go wrong with bone in chicken in the crock pot or in the oven, just salt and pepper it.

[ryansmommie]

I agree with the PP's. I use wine tags and rebates to control the cost of my meat.

Hamburger - I try and stay at .99 per pound. This week HT has 93% Hamburger for 2.99. I'm combining with $2.00 Beef Wine tag to stay at my target.

Chicken Breast - 1.99 or lower.

Pork Roast - .89 per pound or lower

Chuck Roasts - I buy when they go BOGO and put several in the freezer.

Turkey - DH is a butterball snob. I buy this time of year for .99 and stock my freezer. (Also use the rebates to turn these into moneymakers.)

Ribeyes - DH loves the thick cut at Sam's Club. 6.99 per pound. I use rebates to control this item.

Also, I try and let what is on sale dictate what we are eating that week.

Michelle

[thompson589741]

Pork Roast - .89 per pound or lower

Chuck Roasts - I buy when they go BOGO and put several in the freezer.

Turkey - DH is a butterball snob. I buy this time of year for .99 and stock my freezer. (Also use the rebates to turn these into moneymakers.)

Ribeyes - DH loves the thick cut at Sam's Club. 6.99 per pound. I use rebates to control this item.

Also, I try and let what is on sale dictate what we are eating that week.

Michelle

oh how I miss those .89/lb boston butts from years past haven't seen them that cheap in some time

I totally agree with letting the meats dictate your weekly menu.

it is a complete change to the typical shopping of making a list then getting what is on the list, but you will find that you are saving more money and putting more in the freezer for the future!

Depending on how much I am able to keep in the freezer will determine what my "buy" price will be. but I do my best to stock up when the price is irresistable! Also you will notice that you won't be buying meats every single week because of what you have been able to stock up on. all the best and happy shopping!