Budget Tip: More on the Meat Money Issue
Flickr Photo Credit: Helga’s Lobster Stew
Sometimes general budget information and ideas are not specific enough when you are forced into an unforeseen and extreme situation with your household finances. You need bottom line price quotes.
Lord knows I’ve been there enough times to understand. So, here’s a list of bargain meats I routinely purchase for our house, along with the average maximum price I’m usually willing to pay.
For thirty to ninety-nine cents a pound:
- chicken (frozen chicken leg quarters, thighs, drumsticks and full roasters)
- turkey (frozen full bird and breast, as well as ground turkey and turkey sausage)
- beef (sale steaks, brisket, sale ground meat and roasts)
- whole salmon (there’s a sale day twice a month at Costco)
- pork (boneless and bone in ham, butt roast, and center pork loin for roasts and chops)
- pepperoni
- lunch meat
- hot dogs
- tuna and canned salmon
For one to two dollars a pound (this requires major sale shopping):
- turkey pepperoni
- bacon
- lamb
- fresh seafood and fish
- boneless skinless chicken and turkey breast
Obviously, if you are under extreme budget constraints, you’ll want to stick to the first list, and probably even incorporate more meatless meals and TVP. However, even with the first list, you can come up with quite a diverse set of menu options for your family.
