Okay, now let’s take a look at the meat section.
When it comes to ground beef, I buy it in chubs, or large logs. Sometimes, you can find these for $1.25 a pound. No kidding! If you favor the leaner beef, you may have a little more work in the preparation but the regular ground beef will still work for you. After you brown it and allow it to drain, pour boiling water over it and allow it to drain again. This makes it leaner than extra-lean beef. For meatballs or meatloaf, mix the ground beef with half ground turkey. We actually use ground turkey a lot in our home because it is often cheaper and the taste is similar to ground beef when used in pasta, casseroles and burgers.
Other cuts of beef can often be found on Manager’s Special. Just ask the store’s butcher when they typically do markdowns and plan to be there! This is one reason why I like to be at the store around 8 AM. I want to pick up these deals before they are snatched up by other shoppers.
Chicken is a little harder to get at a rock-bottom price but keep your price book on your favorite cuts and load up when you find a deal. For instance, if I see boneless, skinnless chicken breasts for less than $1.99 per pound, I load up the freezer.
Also, you can buy your chickens whole since they are cheaper and cut them yourself. But, if you are not a cook or feel that this would discourage you from getting in the kitchen, skip it. Ultimately, you are not saving money if you are not following through with your plan or are spending too much time in the kitchen.
If you are a seafood lover, stock up on frozen seafood when the items go on a BOGO sale. There is a quick rotation of seafood on BOGO at Winn Dixie and other stores. Also, if you live near the coast, skip the grocery store and drive down to a local market that sells fresh seafood to get a great price.
The best time to stock up on items like turkeys, hams and ribs are around the holidays where they are most popular. If the grocery store has overstocked, expect markdowns after the holiday. Just as an example, I was able to pick up ribs after the 4th of July for $1.25 per pound.
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