Comments on: How to keep meat from breaking your budget http://moneysavingmom.com/2008/08/how-to-keep-mea.html Helping You Be a Better Home Economist Fri, 10 Feb 2012 07:09:32 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.2 By: Shannon http://moneysavingmom.com/2008/08/how-to-keep-mea.html/comment-page-1#comment-281777 Shannon Tue, 05 Aug 2008 23:03:42 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2008/08/how-to-keep-mea.html#comment-281777 We also just started using Angel Food Ministries, August will be our 2nd. month! We also just started using Angel Food Ministries, August will be our 2nd. month!

]]> By: Shannon http://moneysavingmom.com/2008/08/how-to-keep-mea.html/comment-page-1#comment-281776 Shannon Tue, 05 Aug 2008 23:02:19 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2008/08/how-to-keep-mea.html#comment-281776 We use ground turkey for everything! It is healthier and cheaper. I was buying the frozen tubes for about $1.10 per roll, from Aldi and Walmart, but started getting lots of little bones. So i started buying fresh Honey Sickle White ground turkey rolls at Walmart. $1.97 per roll of 93/7 lean. No bones and I buy 5 rolls a week. Anything that calls for ground beef gets ground turkey, and no one ever knows the difference! I spend $9.85 a week on meat. I also buy frozen boneless skinless chix breasts at Sam's Club. The Members Mark brand is $12.99 for a 20 lb. bag of 6-7 oz. breasts. That lasts me a month or more, I make lots of casseroles with chicken. We use ground turkey for everything! It is healthier and cheaper. I was buying the frozen tubes for about $1.10 per roll, from Aldi and Walmart, but started getting lots of little bones. So i started buying fresh Honey Sickle White ground turkey rolls at Walmart. $1.97 per roll of 93/7 lean. No bones and I buy 5 rolls a week. Anything that calls for ground beef gets ground turkey, and no one ever knows the difference!
I spend $9.85 a week on meat. I also buy frozen boneless skinless chix breasts at Sam’s Club. The Members Mark brand is $12.99 for a 20 lb. bag of 6-7 oz. breasts. That lasts me a month or more, I make lots of casseroles with chicken.

]]> By: Melynda http://moneysavingmom.com/2008/08/how-to-keep-mea.html/comment-page-1#comment-281775 Melynda Tue, 05 Aug 2008 07:45:56 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2008/08/how-to-keep-mea.html#comment-281775 I am really surprised that more large families aren't looking into Angel Food Network for their meat. It is a network of churches throughout the US who come together and buy in bulk to get deep discounts on groceries. They then pass those discounts to the community and we get our meat for less than 1/2 the retail price along with other good foods. Our family of 8 has gone from a $600 a month grocery budget to under $300. We also try to plan our meals out ahead - cooking or preparing everything in one day after a grocery trip and putting each meal in a ziploc bag to be ready for meal day. This really helps stretch our meat. I also like fillers such as pasta, rice or beans. This allows me to always use meat but not so much that it breaks our budget. I am really surprised that more large families aren’t looking into Angel Food Network for their meat. It is a network of churches throughout the US who come together and buy in bulk to get deep discounts on groceries. They then pass those discounts to the community and we get our meat for less than 1/2 the retail price along with other good foods. Our family of 8 has gone from a $600 a month grocery budget to under $300.
We also try to plan our meals out ahead – cooking or preparing everything in one day after a grocery trip and putting each meal in a ziploc bag to be ready for meal day. This really helps stretch our meat.
I also like fillers such as pasta, rice or beans. This allows me to always use meat but not so much that it breaks our budget.

]]> By: Joan J http://moneysavingmom.com/2008/08/how-to-keep-mea.html/comment-page-1#comment-281774 Joan J Tue, 05 Aug 2008 06:35:55 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2008/08/how-to-keep-mea.html#comment-281774 Large cuts of meats - whole chicken, boneless pork loin, beef roasts - are often on sale more often and far less expensive than smaller cuts of meat (chicken breasts, pork chops, stew beef). I buy the larger cut, bring it home and cut it myself, and package it for the freezer. I wrote on my blog about my recent pork loin purchase which will give me 15+ meals for under $1 each: http://joanoh2.blogspot.com/2008/07/quality-meat-for-frugal-price.html Large cuts of meats – whole chicken, boneless pork loin, beef roasts – are often on sale more often and far less expensive than smaller cuts of meat (chicken breasts, pork chops, stew beef). I buy the larger cut, bring it home and cut it myself, and package it for the freezer. I wrote on my blog about my recent pork loin purchase which will give me 15+ meals for under $1 each: http://joanoh2.blogspot.com/2008/07/quality-meat-for-frugal-price.html

]]> By: Miriam http://moneysavingmom.com/2008/08/how-to-keep-mea.html/comment-page-1#comment-281773 Miriam Tue, 05 Aug 2008 01:40:55 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2008/08/how-to-keep-mea.html#comment-281773 Just last week I made a list of dishes to make on Meatless Monday. Beans are at the top. I am after all Cuban and we do love our white rice and beans. BTW I always make 2 lb and serve the leftovers for lunch or save them for Sunday lunch. Pasta with a homemade sauce is always welcomed by my five boys(husband included). In the sauce, I use what I have at the moment including garlic, onions, bell peppers, olives, and mushrooms and make it chunky. Another idea is tortillas filled with leftovers of any kind. For example, leftover rice and beans lettuce, tomatoes ,and cheese. The possibilities are endless :-) Just last week I made a list of dishes to make on Meatless Monday. Beans are at the top. I am after all Cuban and we do love our white rice and beans. BTW I always make 2 lb and serve the leftovers for lunch or save them for Sunday lunch.

Pasta with a homemade sauce is always welcomed by my five boys(husband included). In the sauce, I use what I have at the moment including garlic, onions, bell peppers, olives, and mushrooms and make it chunky.

Another idea is tortillas filled with leftovers of any kind. For example, leftover rice and beans lettuce, tomatoes ,and cheese.

The possibilities are endless :-)

]]> By: Cole & Lia's mom http://moneysavingmom.com/2008/08/how-to-keep-mea.html/comment-page-1#comment-281772 Cole & Lia's mom Mon, 04 Aug 2008 20:57:13 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2008/08/how-to-keep-mea.html#comment-281772 One of my favorite meatless meals is a crustless vegetable quiche. Cube zucchini, summer squash, eggplant. Cut up tomatoes and onions. Saute until tender. Cool, and toss with 6 - 8 oz. shredded cheese, add 1 Tbsp flour. Beat 4 eggs and 1 c. milk with spices of your choice -- parsley, thyme, garlic salt, onion powder. Spray pie plate with non-stick spray, pour in vegetable/cheese mix, and pour milk/egg mix over. Bake at 400 for 15 minutes then 350 for another 30 or until done. Serve with fresh fruit salad for a filling, nutritious meal! Another favorite is pasta with vegetables. Saute veggies -- broccoli, asparagus, olives/fresh tomatoes*/mushrooms* (* saute these for less time than the others) with garlic (be sure not to overcook the garlic) and add a little salt. Toss with fresh linguini and top with grated cheese. Serve with fresh salad. Ah -- I'm hungry! One of my favorite meatless meals is a crustless vegetable quiche. Cube zucchini, summer squash, eggplant. Cut up tomatoes and onions. Saute until tender. Cool, and toss with 6 – 8 oz. shredded cheese, add 1 Tbsp flour. Beat 4 eggs and 1 c. milk with spices of your choice — parsley, thyme, garlic salt, onion powder. Spray pie plate with non-stick spray, pour in vegetable/cheese mix, and pour milk/egg mix over. Bake at 400 for 15 minutes then 350 for another 30 or until done. Serve with fresh fruit salad for a filling, nutritious meal!

Another favorite is pasta with vegetables. Saute veggies — broccoli, asparagus, olives/fresh tomatoes*/mushrooms* (* saute these for less time than the others) with garlic (be sure not to overcook the garlic) and add a little salt. Toss with fresh linguini and top with grated cheese. Serve with fresh salad.

Ah — I’m hungry!

]]> By: Clean Simple http://moneysavingmom.com/2008/08/how-to-keep-mea.html/comment-page-1#comment-281771 Clean Simple Mon, 04 Aug 2008 20:52:11 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2008/08/how-to-keep-mea.html#comment-281771 I buy all our meat at Costco, where I can get high quality steak/ground beef/pork for super prices. Today, I picked up packs of steak for $2.99/lb and mild Italian sausage for $1.99/lb. Enough meat for Since we're a small family, I immediately re-pack it into meal-size portions in Ziploc freezer bags. Easy peasy. I have enough for 14 meals for only $42.50. I buy all our meat at Costco, where I can get high quality steak/ground beef/pork for super prices. Today, I picked up packs of steak for $2.99/lb and mild Italian sausage for $1.99/lb. Enough meat for

Since we’re a small family, I immediately re-pack it into meal-size portions in Ziploc freezer bags. Easy peasy. I have enough for 14 meals for only $42.50.

]]> By: Tara http://moneysavingmom.com/2008/08/how-to-keep-mea.html/comment-page-1#comment-281770 Tara Mon, 04 Aug 2008 20:03:13 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2008/08/how-to-keep-mea.html#comment-281770 We go in with a neighbor and buy 1/2 a cow, so I guess we actually buy 1/4 a cow. This should last our family of four about a year assuming we eat beef twice a week. This worked out to about $6 a week for beef. The cow cost us $2 per pound no matter the cut so we got T-bones, rib-eyes, roasts and ground beef for $2 per pound. And the best thing is that is is hormone free beef and better tasting than store bought beef (in my opinion). I would recommend putting money aside for this each year. The rest of the week we fill in with chicken, fish or meatless soup and sandwiches. We go in with a neighbor and buy 1/2 a cow, so I guess we actually buy 1/4 a cow. This should last our family of four about a year assuming we eat beef twice a week. This worked out to about $6 a week for beef. The cow cost us $2 per pound no matter the cut so we got T-bones, rib-eyes, roasts and ground beef for $2 per pound. And the best thing is that is is hormone free beef and better tasting than store bought beef (in my opinion). I would recommend putting money aside for this each year.

The rest of the week we fill in with chicken, fish or meatless soup and sandwiches.

]]> By: Cathe http://moneysavingmom.com/2008/08/how-to-keep-mea.html/comment-page-1#comment-281769 Cathe Mon, 04 Aug 2008 19:12:59 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2008/08/how-to-keep-mea.html#comment-281769 As others have mentioned, cheese is a bigger problem than meat right now! We just love cheese, but it's becoming too expensive. That puts a damper on our meal planning - so many of our favorite dishes have cheese. As others have mentioned, cheese is a bigger problem than meat right now! We just love cheese, but it’s becoming too expensive. That puts a damper on our meal planning – so many of our favorite dishes have cheese.

]]> By: Melissa http://moneysavingmom.com/2008/08/how-to-keep-mea.html/comment-page-1#comment-281768 Melissa Mon, 04 Aug 2008 18:52:30 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2008/08/how-to-keep-mea.html#comment-281768 One of our favorite meatless meals is potato soup. If you have meat leftovers (especially ham), you can also mix them in. One of our favorite meatless meals is potato soup. If you have meat leftovers (especially ham), you can also mix them in.

]]> By: niki http://moneysavingmom.com/2008/08/how-to-keep-mea.html/comment-page-1#comment-281767 niki Mon, 04 Aug 2008 17:50:01 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2008/08/how-to-keep-mea.html#comment-281767 We like to substitute ground turkey for ground chuck in most recipes. It is only 79-99 cents for a pound at most stores around here! We also do breakfast for dinner at least once a week (which is enjoyed since we never eat such involved meals for breakfast around here...its usually cheerios or oatmeal in the am). Pancakes, waffles, or eggs with bacon, sausage, or pork roll make for a filling dinnertime treat. :) We like to substitute ground turkey for ground chuck in most recipes. It is only 79-99 cents for a pound at most stores around here!

We also do breakfast for dinner at least once a week (which is enjoyed since we never eat such involved meals for breakfast around here…its usually cheerios or oatmeal in the am). Pancakes, waffles, or eggs with bacon, sausage, or pork roll make for a filling dinnertime treat.
:)

]]> By: Noah http://moneysavingmom.com/2008/08/how-to-keep-mea.html/comment-page-1#comment-281766 Noah Mon, 04 Aug 2008 16:27:27 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2008/08/how-to-keep-mea.html#comment-281766 We bought half a cow as well. Since we only eat hormone free/naturally raised meat, this really saved us a ton and we get nicer cuts of meat than I would normally buy. I also buy fish, like Salmon, when it's on sale in the Summer and freeze it in marinade. Then all I do is pull it out of the freezer and stick it in the fridge in th morning and I have it ready to pop in the oven by dinner time. We bought half a cow as well. Since we only eat hormone free/naturally raised meat, this really saved us a ton and we get nicer cuts of meat than I would normally buy.

I also buy fish, like Salmon, when it’s on sale in the Summer and freeze it in marinade. Then all I do is pull it out of the freezer and stick it in the fridge in th morning and I have it ready to pop in the oven by dinner time.

]]> By: Tupperware Lady http://moneysavingmom.com/2008/08/how-to-keep-mea.html/comment-page-1#comment-281765 Tupperware Lady Mon, 04 Aug 2008 16:14:06 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2008/08/how-to-keep-mea.html#comment-281765 We love rice pancakes for dinner some nights. It is a great way to use up leftover rice. Just add a few eggs to the rice. Stir it all together. Scoop it onto a hot griddle and smoosh it down like a pancake. Cook through, flip, and cook. Then we put butter, cinnamon and sugar, and use milk as if it were the syrup. They are yummo! We love rice pancakes for dinner some nights. It is a great way to use up leftover rice. Just add a few eggs to the rice. Stir it all together. Scoop it onto a hot griddle and smoosh it down like a pancake. Cook through, flip, and cook. Then we put butter, cinnamon and sugar, and use milk as if it were the syrup. They are yummo!

]]> By: Hannelore http://moneysavingmom.com/2008/08/how-to-keep-mea.html/comment-page-1#comment-281764 Hannelore Mon, 04 Aug 2008 15:51:28 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2008/08/how-to-keep-mea.html#comment-281764 I just thought of one other thing. If my husband is ever out of town, we will have baked potato bar. (And I figured out that I can cook them in the crockpot). Once last year we did this and my now-7-year-old son said to my husband (as soon as he walked in the door), "Last night we had potatoes for dinner and nothing else!!!!" I just thought of one other thing. If my husband is ever out of town, we will have baked potato bar. (And I figured out that I can cook them in the crockpot). Once last year we did this and my now-7-year-old son said to my husband (as soon as he walked in the door), “Last night we had potatoes for dinner and nothing else!!!!”

]]> By: Hannelore http://moneysavingmom.com/2008/08/how-to-keep-mea.html/comment-page-1#comment-281763 Hannelore Mon, 04 Aug 2008 15:47:18 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2008/08/how-to-keep-mea.html#comment-281763 We like to add corn, sauteed celery, onion and peppers to our chili in place of some of the meat. And we've just been using less meat in our recipes across the board. I agree with breakfast for dinner,anything Mexican, and a big pot of pinto beans with cornbread. One of our favorite meals is black beans and yellow rice. Use the mahatma saffron rice (its in a yellow foil pouch). Cook according to pkg instructions. Top with drained,heated black beans, fresh diced tomato and sour cream if you like. This is a cheap, delicious, colorful meal! We like to add corn, sauteed celery, onion and peppers to our chili in place of some of the meat. And we’ve just been using less meat in our recipes across the board. I agree with breakfast for dinner,anything Mexican, and a big pot of pinto beans with cornbread. One of our favorite meals is black beans and yellow rice. Use the mahatma saffron rice (its in a yellow foil pouch). Cook according to pkg instructions. Top with drained,heated black beans, fresh diced tomato and sour cream if you like. This is a cheap, delicious, colorful meal!

]]> By: Amy http://moneysavingmom.com/2008/08/how-to-keep-mea.html/comment-page-1#comment-281762 Amy Mon, 04 Aug 2008 15:35:27 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2008/08/how-to-keep-mea.html#comment-281762 I can't believe no one has mentioned this, but one of our favorite meat subs. is eggplant. Good for you, tasty, and satisfying as a substitute for meat. It also has the supposed ability to help those suffering from high blood pressure. Anyway, my husband and two sons LOVE meat and I use this regularly as a "fix" when I don't have meat. Also, for those of us who can't eat beans all the time because they tear up our stomachs, eggplant is a great way to get nutrition and take it easy on our budget! Ways I've used it: Cut up in casseroles Sauteed in stir fry Soups Sliced and fried for Eggplant Parmesan (YUM!) I've even used it as a meat substitute in enchiladas! (Add a little extra Cumin or your favorite herb and it won't taste "Italian" in the enchilada) Use your imagination.... I can’t believe no one has mentioned this, but one of our favorite meat subs. is eggplant. Good for you, tasty, and satisfying as a substitute for meat. It also has the supposed ability to help those suffering from high blood pressure.

Anyway, my husband and two sons LOVE meat and I use this regularly as a “fix” when I don’t have meat. Also, for those of us who can’t eat beans all the time because they tear up our stomachs, eggplant is a great way to get nutrition and take it easy on our budget!

Ways I’ve used it:

Cut up in casseroles
Sauteed in stir fry
Soups
Sliced and fried for Eggplant Parmesan (YUM!)
I’ve even used it as a meat substitute in enchiladas! (Add a little extra Cumin or your favorite herb and it won’t taste “Italian” in the enchilada)
Use your imagination….

]]> By: Bev http://moneysavingmom.com/2008/08/how-to-keep-mea.html/comment-page-1#comment-281761 Bev Mon, 04 Aug 2008 14:34:55 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2008/08/how-to-keep-mea.html#comment-281761 I LOVE having meatless dinners in the summer! Straight from the Garden. We will pick corn, squash, zucchini, tomatoes, green beans. I will fix a big pan of corn bread. I love the summer dinners. If you do not have a garden, visit your local farmers market. I LOVE having meatless dinners in the summer! Straight from the Garden. We will pick corn, squash, zucchini, tomatoes, green beans. I will fix a big pan of corn bread. I love the summer dinners. If you do not have a garden, visit your local farmers market.

]]> By: Beandippy http://moneysavingmom.com/2008/08/how-to-keep-mea.html/comment-page-1#comment-281760 Beandippy Mon, 04 Aug 2008 14:28:14 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2008/08/how-to-keep-mea.html#comment-281760 Love the blog, by the way! I have to also limit carbs, so meat is a must, although I like to have bean-based meals from time to time. I've found that chicken is always pretty cheap on sale in our area, and tuna also goes on sale a lot. I watch for sales on whole turkey breast - we can get LOTS of meals out of that. I also like to find top round roast on sale for 1.99 lb., and slice it into steaks to grill - I like them better than porterhouse! And usually, a nice pork roast on sale is way cheaper than pork chops, and all you have to do is slice it up. Basically, the smaller and more processed, the more you pay - buying large cuts to divide up has saved us a lot, and is usually healthier, too. Love the blog, by the way! I have to also limit carbs, so meat is a must, although I like to have bean-based meals from time to time. I’ve found that chicken is always pretty cheap on sale in our area, and tuna also goes on sale a lot. I watch for sales on whole turkey breast – we can get LOTS of meals out of that. I also like to find top round roast on sale for 1.99 lb., and slice it into steaks to grill – I like them better than porterhouse! And usually, a nice pork roast on sale is way cheaper than pork chops, and all you have to do is slice it up. Basically, the smaller and more processed, the more you pay – buying large cuts to divide up has saved us a lot, and is usually healthier, too.

]]> By: Lenora http://moneysavingmom.com/2008/08/how-to-keep-mea.html/comment-page-1#comment-281759 Lenora Mon, 04 Aug 2008 14:26:14 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2008/08/how-to-keep-mea.html#comment-281759 Learn where and how to fish. My grandparents lived on a lake in Minnesota for many years. We had fresh fish for breakfast, lunch and dinner and many fish stories to tell. Learn where and how to fish. My grandparents lived on a lake in Minnesota for many years. We had fresh fish for breakfast, lunch and dinner and many fish stories to tell.

]]> By: Michelle http://moneysavingmom.com/2008/08/how-to-keep-mea.html/comment-page-1#comment-281758 Michelle Mon, 04 Aug 2008 14:16:50 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2008/08/how-to-keep-mea.html#comment-281758 Wow, great ideas to get me thinking, so thanks Crystal and everyone else. We once never worried about a food budget - AACK. Now I see the money I could have saved. I have been couponing and stockpiling (& CVSing!) for one year now and have saved a ton of money. I just cannot get a handle on the meat thing. I can never seem to find cheap meat. My husband has to have meat on his plate nightly. We grill a lot. We order meat in bulk and do get a better price per pound than at the grocery store but it still is a huge chunk of our budget. All of your tips help. I am going to try harder in the meat department!! Wow, great ideas to get me thinking, so thanks Crystal and everyone else.

We once never worried about a food budget – AACK. Now I see the money I could have saved. I have been couponing and stockpiling (& CVSing!) for one year now and have saved a ton of money. I just cannot get a handle on the meat thing. I can never seem to find cheap meat.

My husband has to have meat on his plate nightly. We grill a lot. We order meat in bulk and do get a better price per pound than at the grocery store but it still is a huge chunk of our budget. All of your tips help. I am going to try harder in the meat department!!

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