How I Save Money on Meat

photo credit: Glennaa

One of my favorite ways to save money on meat is to buy it when it is reduced for a quick sale. We have been using this approach now for over a year and have never had any problems with meat. In fact, this simple approach allows us to eat shrimp, steak, organic chicken and pork chops, which we otherwise would not have been able to afford. Every time I shop at our local grocery store, I always walk through the meat department. If I see 4 packs of ground turkey reduced to $1.99, I buy all 4 packs and freeze them when I come home. Now, I do look at the color of the meat before I buy it. If it looks like the color has changed in comparison to the regular meat, I pass on the deal. However, if the color of the meat that is reduced for quick sale looks good, I stock up.



I maximize my savings on meat by using coupons on already mark down prices. For example, a pack of organic chicken not too long ago was reduced to $1.78 a pack from original price of $4+ dollars. I had a coupon for $1 off, which allowed me to purchase a pack of organic chicken for $0.78. Woot Woot! I was beyond thrilled the day I bought several packs of meat for less than $1 a pack!

When I do buy lets say 4 packs of reduce for a quick sale meat, I try to ask meat department manager for a further discount. This is how the conversation usually goes.

Me: Sir, I am planning to buy all 4 packs of reduce for quick sales ground turkey. Would you be so kind and further reduce the price?

Manager: No, this is the lowest that I can sale it for.

Me: What are you planning to do with this meat if no one buys it?

Manager: Throw it away.

Me: So if I do not buy it right now, you are taking a chance of no one else buying it. This means that you will throw away meat and lose money. However, if I buy it at a reduced price, it will be a win-win situation for me and the store.

Manager: Will $3 for 4 packs of ground turkey work for you?

Me: Yes, thank you very much! (with a big grin on my face)

The day that I had this conversation with a meat department manager a stranger who listened to the conversation came up and asked if I can go car shopping with him. I had a good laugh that day. So needless to say if you do not ask, you will never know the outcome. Now, this approach doesn’t always work for me. Some days they reduce my meat, others they say no and I walk away with no further discount. Either way I save at least 50% on my meat every time I grocery shop.