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Do you watch how much you spend at the food store? I know I do! Meat is especially pricey, but Mama Money Bags can help you learn how to cut back.


Probably the easiest way to save on meat is to buy in bulk and then divide the meat into separate meals at home. Why buy in bulk? It's cheaper per pound! I buy a large pack of boneless skinless chicken breast at Wegmans, which I then prep immediately into different dinners (for example, marinated meat, sliced chicken for fajitas, and smaller chunks of chicken for pasta). Then, I stick what I can't use right away into the freezer so it's ready for when I cook. Doing this helps cut back on take-out, too!

Sometimes, though, I am super lucky at one of my local stores (usually Wegmans, Target, or Acme) and I stumble upon what my husband calls "scratch and dent" meat--aka, meat that's close to its sell-by date. It usually has a sticker or coupon attached to the packaging. Here's one from Target (similar ones have also been popping up recently on produce and bread, so always be on the lookout). And don't forget to double up on any Cartwheel deals or specials like buy-one-get-one sales (BOGOs). Believe me--the meat is still good! It's not gross and it's not going to make you sick. I've been buying it for two decades and am just fine.


Cutting back in your meat consumption (like breakfast for dinner) and adding veggies (I mix corn and peppers into our tacos) are also easy ways to spend less on meat. If you come upon multiple packages priced lower--say at $5--take them all over to the produce department and weigh them to see which package gives you more for your money. Wegmans is notorious for pricing like this for their "fancy meat"--already prepped so you just have to stick it in the oven. The weights can differ a surprising amount, sometimes over half a pound!

For my family of five, I spend consistently between $400 to $500 per month at the food store--all by buying reduced meat and shopping loss leaders at a few stores, with some coupons--both paper ones from newspapers and digital ones from store apps--mixed in. That works out to about $20 to $25 per person per week.

Want to learn more? Follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or Pinterest. Or pick up Mama Money Bags today! #MamaMoneyBagsBook

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