How To Save On Meat And Produce

How To Save On Meat And Produce 

Whether you are a couponer or you just like to save a little money there is one area that is a little more challenging and that is how to save on meat and produce. You can use these handy tips to help you save on meat and produce throughout the year. There are not really a lot of coupons for these 2 items and in my house they are a necessity. My daughters and husband eat tons of fruit a day so I have to reserve a little bit of my budget towards that.

Saving Money on Meat

-Cooking in the crock pot can help save you money on meat by allowing you to buy cheaper cuts of meat. Often times a cheaper cut can be a tougher meat and the crock pot can really help you soften up these meats by cooking at a much lower temperature over an extended period of time.

-Buying in bulk can often get you the best price on meat. Many stores will offer the family pack at a better cost per pound than a smaller purchase. Buy your meat at the best price and take it home and break it into serving sizes that work will for you family. It’s always best to wrap these in aluminum foil and then in a freezer safe bag before freezing. Make sure you label the outside with the date it was put in the freezer and what is inside the package to keep you from guessing later.

-Buying meat that is getting ready to expire can save you a load of money. This needs to be used or frozen immediately to keep it from going bad. Often times a steak that has been sitting in the store for a few days can actually have a better taste than one that has been fresh cut today.

-Having one night a week where you go meatless can not only save on your pocketbook but can be a step for a healthier you! It sounds like a scary step to take but really meatless meals can be just as tasty and fun to do. Try having a fun salad bar for supper with plenty of toppings to keep everyone in your family happy. They can get their protein from boiled eggs and garbanzo beans added to the salad.

Grinding your own meat can save a ton! Purchasing  a meat grinder can seem like a big purchase for a small pocket book but it will quickly save you money in the long run. If you already have a Kitchen aid mixer you can actually purchase a meat grinder attachment for it. Then you can purchase larger cuts of meat on clearance and turn them into ground hamburger for use in many meals.

Saving Money on Produce

Buying fruits and vegetables while they are in season is a great way to save money on produce! Once purchased they can be enjoyed as is or canned or frozen to help you continue to save money through the rest of the year. Here is a list of seasons and some ideas to get you started on saving. This is not a complete list but rather just something to get you started!

Spring

• Asparagus
• Rhubarb
• Apricots
• Strawberries
• Cherries

Summer

• Corn
• Cucumber
• Green Beans
• Tomatoes
• Zucchini
• All types of berries (blackberries, blueberries and raspberries)
• Peaches
• Plums

Fall

• Apples
• Grapes
• Pears
• Broccoli
• Brussel Sprouts
• Acorn Squash
• Pumpkins

Winter

• Grapefruit
• Oranges
• Lemons
• Kale
• Winter Squash

-Always check the weight of pre-packages produce. You will be presently surprised at the amount of money you can save verses buying single items. Weigh the package and then divide the total price that you are paying by the weight. Then check the price per pound of individuals. This can end of saving you a ton.

-Buying your produce from a farmers market or roadside stand†is almost always cheaper than the grocery store. This has another benefit of buying from local farmers so you will be keeping your money in the community where you live.

-Make sure you are not adding to your grocery bill by paying for water. A lot of times stores will have a mister watering system set up in there store that keeps the produce fresh. If the mister has just watered your fresh lettuce or kale it will actually add weight to the product when it’s weighed at the register. Make sure you shake as much water off as you can to reduce the added cost.

What ways do you save on meat and produce?