There is a new show that is called Extreme Couponing. Personally I think they should combine the show with the show Hoarders since all of the people have a problem.
My question is, how do you get coupons for meat? There are coupons to be found for staples, but a wall of free toilet paper isn't doing anyone any good unless you're reselling it. Does anyone know how to get deals on meats like steaks, chicken, and seafood?
Thanks.
By Patti from Ewing, NJ
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I watch for sales and buy several packages of meat, which I break into meal-size portions and freeze when I get home. When I go into the meat department of my grocery store, I look for "buy one, get one free" deals for stocking up. Mostly I stick with a few cuts of meat; so it is fast to check for sales. I also belong to a warehouse store, and check there for competitive prices.
I often get amazing deals on meat that is on the last day or two of sale. My store slaps a "manager's special" sticker on them. I keep my eyes peeled for those stickers, too. I buy a good quantity of that, take it home, repackage and freeze it.
I find first thing Monday morning is a great time to do shopping. The local Superstore has "50%" and "30%" stickers - my freezer rarely has anything that is regular price. Its always meat that is just nearing the expiry date but if you freeze it that doesn't matter unless its previously frozen. Also, I have a close friend who also likes this marked down meat so we will pick up extra for the other person if we find a large quantity of something. It's nice to have this agreement with each other, I wonder if you could do something like that?
I agree with you, the extremes that those people go through is amazing and definitely hoarding! And who (especially the 1 couple) needs that many candy bars or boxes of pasta or tp? And their final bill does not include the price they paid for the coupons and the services some of them subscribe to!
They should donate it!
Ask your butcher at your local store, Safeway, Winn Dixie etc. what their markdown days are. Some are 30% with a day or two to go, some are 50% that you need to use that day or freeze. I try to plan my menus for the week, but always walk by the discount and can change my menu for the week if I need to. Also try internet connections, FB if you "like" a product sometimes you'll get coupons. Contact companies you like, say a lunchmeat and get coupons. I went onto a website to vote for a "favorite" sandwich and printed out 2 $1 coupons for some low sodium lunchmeat I use, at WalMart they are $3 for an 8oz. tub, with my coupon $2 for a half a pound of meat!
Ive never really seen coupons for meat, but another idea would be to get in touch with a local farmer or hunter. Usually you have to purchase a whole animal though, but per pound it is usually cheaper (and tastier)! Plus it encourages sustainability. You could ask some neighbors or friends to pitch in and you can split it up.
There are already some good ideas here for purchasing meat inexpensively but I'll add to keep an eye on Sunday grocery store weekly flyers because sometime they have a one, two or three day special. There are meat coupons out there but they are from high priced fancy dancy company meats and you end up paying more per pound even with a coupon than if you purchased the store brand at the store brand top price.
Since the main idea is to spend less for meat, maybe you could try this. No coupons involved. Many local farmers will raise beeves, whether steers or heifers, and parcel out the meat in shares agreed to with previously committed buyers.
You, of course, will need a decent size freezer to take advantage of this. As all our rich 'cousins' know, you must invest money in order to save money. My family began doing this in 1949 when I was a pup, and my cousins still do. A cousin living near Portland, OR, raised four heifers last summer for shares. A processor picks them up when they are ready, you get wrapped freezer packages of whatever you ordered.
My cousin, of course, got the best deal because he had to buy the yearlings and feed them all summer, thus taking the most risk. He had the space to feed them on natural grass. The cattle are generally 'tuned up' with a richer diet for their last few weeks. But you can't possibly find more naturally raised meat. No drugs, no pesticides in your meat. Assuming you know and trust the person who raises them.
Thanks to everyone for posting so many great ideas! I'm going food shopping tomorrow so I'll put some of these to the test. I already know the butcher so I'll talk to him about something other than fresh marrow bones for our dogs.
I don't know if you have any in your area, but look for a meat processing plant, we have several in our area where you can have a deer, beef, or hog processes. These places also sell meat, sometimes in bulk, but usually much fresher and better tasting than anything in our local grocery stores.
I go to my grocery store early in the mornings and look for the reduced for quick sale items, which is usualy meats,chicken, sometimes the pre-prepared produce items. Once got a huge bag of brocolli/ cauliflower/carrots mix for only 99 cents. Used it for snacks,cooked some in casseroles, froze some. Have found lettuce,potatoes,etc. Of course, you have to watch your dates, and check the produce stuff for black spots,etc. I never buy bananas at regular price, can get a bag of getting-too-ripe ones for 99 cents or 1.49. The regular ones are usually so green you can't eat them right away. I once got a bag that had 5 lbs. of bananas in it. Made banana bread,muffins, froze some banana slices to snack on,banana sandwiches...nothing was wasted. Usually split a bag with my parents. Have also found sandwich meats reduced for quick sale. Have to be there before mid day, and have to look hard for the sales, but you feel really good when you find them!
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