Comments on: Buying in Bulk to Save Money on Meat http://www.commonsensewithmoney.com/2009/02/buying-in-bulk-to-save-money-on-meat/ Live Well for Less Thu, 09 Feb 2012 21:12:45 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Becky http://www.commonsensewithmoney.com/2009/02/buying-in-bulk-to-save-money-on-meat/#comment-124637 Becky Tue, 12 Oct 2010 11:14:12 +0000 http://www.commonsensewithmoney.com/?p=1726#comment-124637 I'm not much of a meat eater myself. In fact, I was vegetarian for a few years but I got seduced by a bacon roll. Matters are not helped much by the fact that my partner makes the best bacon rolls I've ever had. But anyway, I have bought meat <a href="http://www.makro.co.uk/servlet/PB/menu/-1_l2/index.html" rel="nofollow">wholesale</a>, mostly for my partner's benefit, as he seems to be allergic to anything that's even vaguely healthy. Sometimes I cook it before I freeze it, to minimise the inevitable faffing about later. Though on that subject, I once did something really stupid and I'll never be allowed to forget it. The first time I bought meat from a wholesaler, I only went and forgot to separate it into portions. Felt like such an idiot. Now every time I buy meat of any kind, my partner asks me if we need to buy a hammer and chisel! I’m not much of a meat eater myself. In fact, I was vegetarian for a few years but I got seduced by a bacon roll. Matters are not helped much by the fact that my partner makes the best bacon rolls I’ve ever had.

But anyway, I have bought meat wholesale, mostly for my partner’s benefit, as he seems to be allergic to anything that’s even vaguely healthy. Sometimes I cook it before I freeze it, to minimise the inevitable faffing about later.

Though on that subject, I once did something really stupid and I’ll never be allowed to forget it. The first time I bought meat from a wholesaler, I only went and forgot to separate it into portions. Felt like such an idiot. Now every time I buy meat of any kind, my partner asks me if we need to buy a hammer and chisel!

]]> By: FoodSaver: Value Bundle 72% Off | Common Sense With Money http://www.commonsensewithmoney.com/2009/02/buying-in-bulk-to-save-money-on-meat/#comment-31732 FoodSaver: Value Bundle 72% Off | Common Sense With Money Sat, 14 Nov 2009 16:34:32 +0000 http://www.commonsensewithmoney.com/?p=1726#comment-31732 [...] you have a FoodSaver?  I do and love it!  It is great for buying meat in bulk and freezing it.  If you have a Foodsaver then I have a really great deal for you.  Foodsaver.com is offering [...] [...] you have a FoodSaver?  I do and love it!  It is great for buying meat in bulk and freezing it.  If you have a Foodsaver then I have a really great deal for you.  Foodsaver.com is offering [...]

]]> By: maria http://www.commonsensewithmoney.com/2009/02/buying-in-bulk-to-save-money-on-meat/#comment-12802 maria Thu, 16 Apr 2009 18:33:42 +0000 http://www.commonsensewithmoney.com/?p=1726#comment-12802 oops...I forgot to add, that in the rib roast, I usually get 16-20 slices of rib eyes. 16 perfect slices and the other 4 are usually a little smaller in size since they are the end pieces. If I buy it as I need it, the price is 7.99 to 8.99 a lb at our local store if they're not on sale. Plus it's also convenient to already have it in our freezer since we live in the country, and don't have to make a speical trip to town just go get steaks oops…I forgot to add, that in the rib roast, I usually get 16-20 slices of rib eyes. 16 perfect slices and the other 4 are usually a little smaller in size since they are the end pieces.

If I buy it as I need it, the price is 7.99 to 8.99 a lb at our local store if they’re not on sale. Plus it’s also convenient to already have it in our freezer since we live in the country, and don’t have to make a speical trip to town just go get steaks

]]> By: Mercedes http://www.commonsensewithmoney.com/2009/02/buying-in-bulk-to-save-money-on-meat/#comment-12801 Mercedes Thu, 16 Apr 2009 18:32:24 +0000 http://www.commonsensewithmoney.com/?p=1726#comment-12801 Hi Maria, That's a great tip! Thank you for sharing. Mercedes Hi Maria,

That’s a great tip! Thank you for sharing.

Mercedes

]]> By: maria http://www.commonsensewithmoney.com/2009/02/buying-in-bulk-to-save-money-on-meat/#comment-12800 maria Thu, 16 Apr 2009 18:31:09 +0000 http://www.commonsensewithmoney.com/?p=1726#comment-12800 I don't know if someone mentioned it or not, but our Sams will slice your meat for you. I buy a huge rib roast. Usually when it's 3.99 a pound and ask them to slice it for me. I tell them how thick I want it, and they slice it, wrap it up, and hand it to me before I even pay for it. It's a great time saver, and they're willing to do it so they can sell that large portion of meat. I don’t know if someone mentioned it or not, but our Sams will slice your meat for you.

I buy a huge rib roast. Usually when it’s 3.99 a pound and ask them to slice it for me. I tell them how thick I want it, and they slice it, wrap it up, and hand it to me before I even pay for it.

It’s a great time saver, and they’re willing to do it so they can sell that large portion of meat.

]]> By: Where Are My Weekly Grocery Savings? | Common Sense With Money http://www.commonsensewithmoney.com/2009/02/buying-in-bulk-to-save-money-on-meat/#comment-12728 Where Are My Weekly Grocery Savings? | Common Sense With Money Wed, 15 Apr 2009 20:12:59 +0000 http://www.commonsensewithmoney.com/?p=1726#comment-12728 [...] buy.  This is because we eat from our stockpile.  For example, tomorrow night, we will eat steaks I bought almost two months ago.  The next day it will be frittata with sweet potatoes I bought on Sunday plus chicken sausage [...] [...] buy.  This is because we eat from our stockpile.  For example, tomorrow night, we will eat steaks I bought almost two months ago.  The next day it will be frittata with sweet potatoes I bought on Sunday plus chicken sausage [...]

]]> By: Juli http://www.commonsensewithmoney.com/2009/02/buying-in-bulk-to-save-money-on-meat/#comment-9875 Juli Tue, 03 Mar 2009 04:28:22 +0000 http://www.commonsensewithmoney.com/?p=1726#comment-9875 My husband and I bought a buffalo a few years ago. There is a ranch in Wyoming that sells hunts. They are completely free of any medications and the meat is very good, lower in fat than chicken and the meat lasted us about 2 years. Like you mentioned we had a lot of burger, but the steaks and roasts that we got were well worth it we felt. It is an investment, but we hope to do it agian next year. My husband and I bought a buffalo a few years ago. There is a ranch in Wyoming that sells hunts. They are completely free of any medications and the meat is very good, lower in fat than chicken and the meat lasted us about 2 years. Like you mentioned we had a lot of burger, but the steaks and roasts that we got were well worth it we felt. It is an investment, but we hope to do it agian next year.

]]> By: Amy http://www.commonsensewithmoney.com/2009/02/buying-in-bulk-to-save-money-on-meat/#comment-9729 Amy Thu, 26 Feb 2009 00:34:59 +0000 http://www.commonsensewithmoney.com/?p=1726#comment-9729 We buy most of our meat at Sam's Club. The quality is EXCELLENT as is the price!! You can further your savings by buying in bulk; and if that is just too much meat for your family, you could always split it with a friend. Generally, the only meat I buy at our regular grocery store is chicken breasts when they are BOGO - mostly because the price is about the same and since I don't like to handle raw chicken this allows me to just buy the package size I want and toss it in the freezer. We buy most of our meat at Sam’s Club. The quality is EXCELLENT as is the price!! You can further your savings by buying in bulk; and if that is just too much meat for your family, you could always split it with a friend. Generally, the only meat I buy at our regular grocery store is chicken breasts when they are BOGO – mostly because the price is about the same and since I don’t like to handle raw chicken this allows me to just buy the package size I want and toss it in the freezer.

]]> By: steph http://www.commonsensewithmoney.com/2009/02/buying-in-bulk-to-save-money-on-meat/#comment-9717 steph Wed, 25 Feb 2009 16:38:49 +0000 http://www.commonsensewithmoney.com/?p=1726#comment-9717 if you have any mom and pop type butchers near you, you should check those out! we have three one i dont waste my time with as he is so expensive, it is cheaper to shop at krogers. the other two I just love. They cut fresh cuts everyday, but they dont sale that meat everyday...if they cant sale it in 2 days, then they freezer wrap it and put in on sale in the freezer buy one get one.(these are steaks and brats they make there, never seen a roast, as they just turn it into ground beef, wish they would do those though) also one of them..my fav by the way...they have sales every week on some type of beef and sometimes on there chicken, last week they had chicken breast (and these are huge ones, like chicken on steriods LOL)for 1.99 a lb, but if you bought it in bulk, (30lbs) he would sale it to you for 1.39 a lb. New Yrok Strip steaks were 3.99 a lb on sale, but if you bought the whole loin he sold it for 2.99 a lb. They will also cut it the way you want and freezer wrap it for you for free! So he repackaged the chicken breast 2 whole breast per pack..because like i said these things were huge, so 2 would feed my family of 4. The steaks I ahd him cut and trim in 1 inch steaks..hubby loves thick steaks, packaged them in 4 to a pack and got 5 packs! and if you shop there late on thursdays..(before the butcher manager leaves)then meat they had not sold, like round steaks, roast and things of the sort, you can get at a discount, as they want to start the cases with all fresh meat on the weekends! if you have any mom and pop type butchers near you, you should check those out! we have three one i dont waste my time with as he is so expensive, it is cheaper to shop at krogers.
the other two I just love. They cut fresh cuts everyday, but they dont sale that meat everyday…if they cant sale it in 2 days, then they freezer wrap it and put in on sale in the freezer buy one get one.(these are steaks and brats they make there, never seen a roast, as they just turn it into ground beef, wish they would do those though) also one of them..my fav by the way…they have sales every week on some type of beef and sometimes on there chicken, last week they had chicken breast (and these are huge ones, like chicken on steriods LOL)for 1.99 a lb, but if you bought it in bulk, (30lbs) he would sale it to you for 1.39 a lb. New Yrok Strip steaks were 3.99 a lb on sale, but if you bought the whole loin he sold it for 2.99 a lb. They will also cut it the way you want and freezer wrap it for you for free! So he repackaged the chicken breast 2 whole breast per pack..because like i said these things were huge, so 2 would feed my family of 4. The steaks I ahd him cut and trim in 1 inch steaks..hubby loves thick steaks, packaged them in 4 to a pack and got 5 packs! and if you shop there late on thursdays..(before the butcher manager leaves)then meat they had not sold, like round steaks, roast and things of the sort, you can get at a discount, as they want to start the cases with all fresh meat on the weekends!

]]> By: Mercedes http://www.commonsensewithmoney.com/2009/02/buying-in-bulk-to-save-money-on-meat/#comment-9705 Mercedes Wed, 25 Feb 2009 02:42:30 +0000 http://www.commonsensewithmoney.com/?p=1726#comment-9705 HI Scott, Great point about adding the cost of the vacuum sealer and the storage bags. However, a couple of things: First, personally I don't count the cost of the vacuum sealer because I bought it for another purpose and I also use it to store vegetables from my garden in the summer. I also didn't pay $120 for it more like half of that. Also mine is two years old and it's not kicking the bucket yet. And if like in your scenario you use it just for this it should last you longer than three years. . For me I would really only account for the price of the bags which is like you already mentioned around $0.47 per 1lb pack if you pay full price. Although I would also never pay the full price and use a 30% off coupon at kohls to buy it there. I notice they carry the 5 pk box and that comes to $0.21 per lb packaged after coupon. So for me the price would be $4.90 per lb or around $55 bucks a year, if I ate one 1lb every other week, or 1 lb a week as I think your calculations were based on. I imagine there's a lot of people who would shrug that. Maybe I would too but I would put it in terms of that's maybe an extra dinner out for my family or a college book for my kid in the future. Personally I can't tell a difference between frozen or fresh meat. So that has never been a deciding factor for me. Mercedes HI Scott,

Great point about adding the cost of the vacuum sealer and the storage bags. However, a couple of things: First, personally I don’t count the cost of the vacuum sealer because I bought it for another purpose and I also use it to store vegetables from my garden in the summer. I also didn’t pay $120 for it more like half of that. Also mine is two years old and it’s not kicking the bucket yet. And if like in your scenario you use it just for this it should last you longer than three years. . For me I would really only account for the price of the bags which is like you already mentioned around $0.47 per 1lb pack if you pay full price. Although I would also never pay the full price and use a 30% off coupon at kohls to buy it there. I notice they carry the 5 pk box and that comes to $0.21 per lb packaged after coupon. So for me the price would be $4.90 per lb or around $55 bucks a year, if I ate one 1lb every other week, or 1 lb a week as I think your calculations were based on. I imagine there’s a lot of people who would shrug that. Maybe I would too but I would put it in terms of that’s maybe an extra dinner out for my family or a college book for my kid in the future.

Personally I can’t tell a difference between frozen or fresh meat. So that has never been a deciding factor for me.

Mercedes

]]> By: Scott Perry http://www.commonsensewithmoney.com/2009/02/buying-in-bulk-to-save-money-on-meat/#comment-9704 Scott Perry Wed, 25 Feb 2009 02:07:37 +0000 http://www.commonsensewithmoney.com/?p=1726#comment-9704 The numbers aren't working for me. Am I missing something? If I buy the steak at 4.69 and cut it in to one pound steaks. Now I use my vacuum sealer that costs $120 bucks. It will last for three years, I assume. That's $60 per year. I figure we would eat two steaks once every other week. That's a total of 52 steaks per year. If I amortize the $120 over three years of steaks, 156 steaks, that is $0.77 per steak. The plastic wrap costs $17.89 per roll of 18 feet, or 216 inches. Each steak takes 5.5 inches of wrap. That is $0.46 per steak. To total, one steak $4.69, wrap $0.46, sealer $0.77 = $5.92 per steak. $6.99 per lb fresh, not frozen vs $5.92 frozen means I save $1.07. So I save a whopping $55.64 per year? I'm not sure that it is worth the effort. What do you think? The numbers aren’t working for me. Am I missing something? If I buy the steak at 4.69 and cut it in to one pound steaks. Now I use my vacuum sealer that costs $120 bucks. It will last for three years, I assume. That’s $60 per year. I figure we would eat two steaks once every other week. That’s a total of 52 steaks per year. If I amortize the $120 over three years of steaks, 156 steaks, that is $0.77 per steak. The plastic wrap costs $17.89 per roll of 18 feet, or 216 inches. Each steak takes 5.5 inches of wrap. That is $0.46 per steak. To total, one steak $4.69, wrap $0.46, sealer $0.77 = $5.92 per steak. $6.99 per lb fresh, not frozen vs $5.92 frozen means I save $1.07. So I save a whopping $55.64 per year? I’m not sure that it is worth the effort. What do you think?

]]> By: Kathleen http://www.commonsensewithmoney.com/2009/02/buying-in-bulk-to-save-money-on-meat/#comment-9663 Kathleen Tue, 24 Feb 2009 00:30:54 +0000 http://www.commonsensewithmoney.com/?p=1726#comment-9663 We do this with ground hamburger and chicken breasts. Buy in bulk and separate into smaller portions using ziplocs. The meat is always great and we save TONS!!! We do this with ground hamburger and chicken breasts. Buy in bulk and separate into smaller portions using ziplocs. The meat is always great and we save TONS!!!

]]> By: Mollie http://www.commonsensewithmoney.com/2009/02/buying-in-bulk-to-save-money-on-meat/#comment-9658 Mollie Mon, 23 Feb 2009 22:38:47 +0000 http://www.commonsensewithmoney.com/?p=1726#comment-9658 I've been trying to find ways to cut back on meat and wine expenses, as I do need both, LOL! I often get a really inexpensive bottle of wine with a $2 off meat hang tag with purchase. (that will get a pack of porckchops or chicken wings!) I've been wondering, if I did this at Pick n Save on double coupon days, does wine count towards your $25 purchase? And would they double a meat coupon? Anyone ever tried it? I’ve been trying to find ways to cut back on meat and wine expenses, as I do need both, LOL! I often get a really inexpensive bottle of wine with a $2 off meat hang tag with purchase. (that will get a pack of porckchops or chicken wings!) I’ve been wondering, if I did this at Pick n Save on double coupon days, does wine count towards your $25 purchase? And would they double a meat coupon? Anyone ever tried it?

]]> By: Mercedes http://www.commonsensewithmoney.com/2009/02/buying-in-bulk-to-save-money-on-meat/#comment-9657 Mercedes Mon, 23 Feb 2009 21:27:20 +0000 http://www.commonsensewithmoney.com/?p=1726#comment-9657 Hi Tonya, I bought my vacuum sealer at Kohl's. if I remember correctly they were on sale and I had a 30% off coupon. I love it though! it's very easy to freeze veggies form your own garden this way too. Mercedes Hi Tonya,

I bought my vacuum sealer at Kohl’s. if I remember correctly they were on sale and I had a 30% off coupon. I love it though! it’s very easy to freeze veggies form your own garden this way too.

Mercedes

]]> By: Tonya http://www.commonsensewithmoney.com/2009/02/buying-in-bulk-to-save-money-on-meat/#comment-9653 Tonya Mon, 23 Feb 2009 20:43:19 +0000 http://www.commonsensewithmoney.com/?p=1726#comment-9653 Mercedes, Once again, great tips! Where did you get the vacuum sealer from? I am new to all of this and as of right now, I do not buy meat like that but see how it can save a ton of money. Mercedes,

Once again, great tips! Where did you get the vacuum sealer from? I am new to all of this and as of right now, I do not buy meat like that but see how it can save a ton of money.

]]> By: Jennifer http://www.commonsensewithmoney.com/2009/02/buying-in-bulk-to-save-money-on-meat/#comment-9652 Jennifer Mon, 23 Feb 2009 20:35:41 +0000 http://www.commonsensewithmoney.com/?p=1726#comment-9652 Great tips! We are looking into buying meat in bulk from a farmer right now, I hope we don't get treated the way you were. Sorry about that! Great tips! We are looking into buying meat in bulk from a farmer right now, I hope we don’t get treated the way you were. Sorry about that!

]]> By: Mercedes http://www.commonsensewithmoney.com/2009/02/buying-in-bulk-to-save-money-on-meat/#comment-9649 Mercedes Mon, 23 Feb 2009 19:58:49 +0000 http://www.commonsensewithmoney.com/?p=1726#comment-9649 Marcia, It was really good and tender. Really really good quality. You can borrow my vacuum sealer too. That would keep quality and prolong time in the freezer. Mercedes Marcia,

It was really good and tender. Really really good quality. You can borrow my vacuum sealer too. That would keep quality and prolong time in the freezer.

Mercedes

]]> By: Mercedes http://www.commonsensewithmoney.com/2009/02/buying-in-bulk-to-save-money-on-meat/#comment-9647 Mercedes Mon, 23 Feb 2009 19:57:12 +0000 http://www.commonsensewithmoney.com/?p=1726#comment-9647 Theresa, That's very funny! You should have also mentioned that at some point or another their meat was also frozen and who knows for how long. They are a bit delusional if they think they are eating "fresh off the cow" meat. Mercedes Theresa,

That’s very funny! You should have also mentioned that at some point or another their meat was also frozen and who knows for how long. They are a bit delusional if they think they are eating “fresh off the cow” meat.

Mercedes

]]> By: Mercedes http://www.commonsensewithmoney.com/2009/02/buying-in-bulk-to-save-money-on-meat/#comment-9646 Mercedes Mon, 23 Feb 2009 19:55:38 +0000 http://www.commonsensewithmoney.com/?p=1726#comment-9646 Hi Michaela, I use a regular 10 inch chef's knife. All it needed to be is sharpened well. i forgot to mention the whole thing didn't take more than 45 minutes, from trimming to vacuum sealing. Mercedes Hi Michaela,

I use a regular 10 inch chef’s knife. All it needed to be is sharpened well. i forgot to mention the whole thing didn’t take more than 45 minutes, from trimming to vacuum sealing.

Mercedes

]]> By: Mercedes http://www.commonsensewithmoney.com/2009/02/buying-in-bulk-to-save-money-on-meat/#comment-9645 Mercedes Mon, 23 Feb 2009 19:52:58 +0000 http://www.commonsensewithmoney.com/?p=1726#comment-9645 Amen Charlene, that's why it is very important to keep a price book. I also buy my flour at Costco. 25 lbs will probably last us 6 months but we keep it in a cool place so no problems. Mercedes Amen Charlene, that’s why it is very important to keep a price book.

I also buy my flour at Costco. 25 lbs will probably last us 6 months but we keep it in a cool place so no problems.

Mercedes

]]> By: Michaela http://www.commonsensewithmoney.com/2009/02/buying-in-bulk-to-save-money-on-meat/#comment-9642 Michaela Mon, 23 Feb 2009 19:48:43 +0000 http://www.commonsensewithmoney.com/?p=1726#comment-9642 This may sound like an odd question, but what type of knife or cutting instrument did you use to cut up the meat?? Just curious! This may sound like an odd question, but what type of knife or cutting instrument did you use to cut up the meat?? Just curious!

]]> By: charlene http://www.commonsensewithmoney.com/2009/02/buying-in-bulk-to-save-money-on-meat/#comment-9640 charlene Mon, 23 Feb 2009 19:34:37 +0000 http://www.commonsensewithmoney.com/?p=1726#comment-9640 I just rediscovered Costco this weekend. I found 32 oz packages of Cheddar for 3.59 and Mozzarella cheese for 3.99. That is soo much less than I typically spend even with coupons. I also found 25lb sacks of flour for 6.99. I usually spend 2.99 for 5lb sacks and I always seem to run out. I think I get obsessed with using coupons on everything and sometimes lose sight of the best bottom line price. I just rediscovered Costco this weekend. I found 32 oz packages of Cheddar for 3.59 and Mozzarella cheese for 3.99. That is soo much less than I typically spend even with coupons. I also found 25lb sacks of flour for 6.99. I usually spend 2.99 for 5lb sacks and I always seem to run out. I think I get obsessed with using coupons on everything and sometimes lose sight of the best bottom line price.

]]> By: Kate http://www.commonsensewithmoney.com/2009/02/buying-in-bulk-to-save-money-on-meat/#comment-9637 Kate Mon, 23 Feb 2009 18:50:29 +0000 http://www.commonsensewithmoney.com/?p=1726#comment-9637 Today I found 5 lb portions of All Natural Ground Chuck at Meijer for $1.44/lb! I bought 25 lbs! Today I found 5 lb portions of All Natural Ground Chuck at Meijer for $1.44/lb! I bought 25 lbs!

]]> By: Theresa http://www.commonsensewithmoney.com/2009/02/buying-in-bulk-to-save-money-on-meat/#comment-9635 Theresa Mon, 23 Feb 2009 18:34:15 +0000 http://www.commonsensewithmoney.com/?p=1726#comment-9635 I usually buy all my meat and stock up when it is on sale but I never noticed Costco had the slab for steaks! I usually bought roasts and cut them into steaks but this seems like such a better cut! I will definately check this out! Has anyone ever looked at you weird or thought it odd that you stock up and store your meat in the freezer rather than buying and eating fresh? I had never thought that stocking up and freezing the excess was weird until someone asked me "YOU FREEZE YOUR MEAT?" in a tone that inferred I was a bit looney. I asked back in a more polite tone "YOU BUY YOUR MEAT RIGHT WHEN YOU NEED IT AND SOMEHOW THINKS IT TASTES DIFFERENT?" I usually buy all my meat and stock up when it is on sale but I never noticed Costco had the slab for steaks! I usually bought roasts and cut them into steaks but this seems like such a better cut! I will definately check this out! Has anyone ever looked at you weird or thought it odd that you stock up and store your meat in the freezer rather than buying and eating fresh? I had never thought that stocking up and freezing the excess was weird until someone asked me “YOU FREEZE YOUR MEAT?” in a tone that inferred I was a bit looney. I asked back in a more polite tone “YOU BUY YOUR MEAT RIGHT WHEN YOU NEED IT AND SOMEHOW THINKS IT TASTES DIFFERENT?”

]]> By: Heather http://www.commonsensewithmoney.com/2009/02/buying-in-bulk-to-save-money-on-meat/#comment-9631 Heather Mon, 23 Feb 2009 17:44:11 +0000 http://www.commonsensewithmoney.com/?p=1726#comment-9631 I've been buying a large piece of meat and cutting my own steaks for several years. I've found it's at least a dollar or more cheaper per pound than the same cut of meat already in steaks. I’ve been buying a large piece of meat and cutting my own steaks for several years. I’ve found it’s at least a dollar or more cheaper per pound than the same cut of meat already in steaks.

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