Oh man! I am so glad we put a 1/4 beef in the freezer 2 weeks ago! 3 weeks ago ground chuck was on sale still for $1.89 last week the same sale prive was $2.29.I was able to find chuck roasts on sale for $2.29-$2.39 last week they were $2.99!I am stocking the freezer this week with the $1.39 chicken breasts and doing the same with anything else I find on sale.Things are just starting to rise by this time next year who knows what thigns will cost.
Not sure if it’s true, but my understanding is that beef is about to go throught the roof. Some law was just passed to add labels on all beef with extra labeling for the nutrient content of something like 40 popular cuts of meat on beef alone, I dunno about the other animals. But that’s not the main thing. My understanding is that as the cost of feed (corn) went up so much, farmers have been culling their herds, thereby LOWERING the cost of beef the last month or so. And once their done culling the herds, the price is going to rocket. Again, it makes sens,e but I dunno if it’s true. I live in a dairy community and there’s seldom a shortage of beef here, but london broil, for example, was $0.99/lb on sale 4 years ago (IIRC). Last winter, (4 months ago), it was $1.99 a lb. This last week one of the best stores in town had it at 3.99 a pound, and I just looked to verify and this week it is $4.59 a lb. I thought the 3.99 a lb was gorrific, but it’s getting crazy.
Saqme with corned beef I used to buy after St. Patrick’s day for about $0.50 a lb, it’s now over $2.00 a lb on sale. Prices are skyrocketing, and I don’t see them going down soon. I am a firm believer in gardening, even if it’s just in a pot. Things are getting hairy, and it’s best to keep your eye open for good deals like you did on that 1/4 beef. I’ve bought some canned meat, but that’s soaring lately too, it seems.
We are really watching the grocery ads, cutting coupons, etc. to make ends meet at my house. Most stores will let you use one store coupon and one manufacturer’s coupon, as well as offering you to double 3 or four manufacturer’s coupons. Watch for loss leader items and prepare your meals based on what you catch on sale that week and what you have stored in your pantry or freezer. Eggs have been on sale recently here for .99 cents a dozen, so we have been stocking up and then having breakfast for dinner one night a week. Kielbasa has been on sale for $1.39, and onions for .49 per lb. I cut up two onions and one kielbasa and cook it together until the onions are nicely carmealized, cook up some scrambled eggs, hashbrowns and biscuits and I have served our family of 5 dinner for under $5.
I am feeding my family for less than $10 everyt night of the week and by watching the sales and using coupons, most dinners are around $5.00 or less for 5 people. With the money I am saving on every day meals we can afford to stock up on staples like rice, sugar, salt, honey, cooking oil, and meat when it is on sale. We are keeping our large freezer as well as the freezers in two refrigerators filled. We have been using the second refrigerator to stock extra cheese, eggs, and other perishables which keep fairly well in the refrigerator for longer periods of time and just rotate those items. We have stocked our pantry with canned goods and stocked up on household items like soap, toothpaste, etc.
If I can do it, any one can do it!
I am very thankful that we put a steer on pasture last year...he will be going into the freezer this fall. Along with the lambs that are being born...five so far in the last two days.
Where do you live? Our here ground chuck is $3.39, chuck roasts are $3.99, pork chops are $4.49 and chicken breasts are $2.99. Milk is regularly $3.29 per gallon or $1.99 1/2 gallon. Navel oranges (crappy quality) are $1.89, apples (we grow them here) $1.99, zucchini $2.99, lemons $1.49 each!