Put Money in Your Wallet, Not Your Freezer

Mid-August means Autumn is not far away. I like it when it starts to cool down because it means its time for comfort food, or at least my versions of comfort food...soups, stews, stoups, and of course football/tailgating food: burgers, brisket, fajitas, and/or whatever kind of steak you are so inclined to throw on the grill. So how do you combat the rising cost of food, including beef, so that your tailgating parties don't suffer? Talk to your local butcher at an authentic butcher shop, and I don't mean the guy behind the counter at your local supermarket. Buying a hind quarter or entire side of beef can save you hundreds when compared to buying the same thing in your grocery store AND, the best part is you can usually customize your order to get only the cuts of meat you use most. Here is an example of what we did last year and how much money it saved us.

We bought 130 pounds of Black Angus Beef, which turned out to be a small hind quarter, for $260, or $2 per pound. When we compared each individual cut of our hind quarter to local supermarket prices, we would have paid approximately $500. Our package included 25 pounds of T-Bone steaks, 30 pounds of ground beef mixed to order (we choose 90/10), 10 pounds of round steak, and 7 roasts, 3-5 pounds each, including Sirloin, Rump, and Pikes Peak varieties. That resulted in a savings of $240 for us and lasted us approximately 9 months (there are two of us in our household so of course, results will vary).

I know, I know. You have to put the meat somewhere don't you? The answer is yes, you do need space in your freezer and if you don't have the space or think you have the space, this idea probably won't work for you. But, think about this.

A freezer is a one time purchase that will house all of that meat and any more that you will most likely buy throughout the year and in years to come. We bought one for approximately $375 which essentially paid for itself within 18 months when you think about the savings we gained on buying the hind quarter of beef. And, because we continue to stock that freezer year after year, we continue to save money on buying beef in bulk. I also know that more and more people have more than one refrigerator in their household, typically one in the kitchen and one in the garage, so you could use those spaces collectively to store the meat.

If you are interested in investigating whether or not buying a hind quarter or side of beef is for you, here are some things to think about and be sure to ask.

1. How much does your butcher charge to cut and wrap your order? This is sometimes a hidden cost so be sure to ask about it up front.
2. Can you customize your package? Most butchers will work with you to make sure you get everything you need.
3. Will the butcher mix your ground beef to your specifications? Again, most butchers will mix it any way you like, from 80/20 to 93/7 (because for best taste, you need a little fat).
4. Are their any specials? For example, our butcher offers free bonus packages with the purchase of X pounds of meat. While it may not contain everything you always eat, I am sure there is something there you might use.
   
5. Does the butcher have any payment plans? Again, it never hurts to ask. I know one butcher shop that uses 90 days same as cash. I understand that a credit check would be needed for this, but if you can afford it, it is well worth the investment.
6. Does the butcher shop work with any other companies and sell freezers at a discount with your purchase?
7. Ask your butcher if they will sell you one or two steaks before you buy the entire package to make sure you like their product.
   

I hope this post has peaked your interest, and you investigate to see if there is a local butcher shop in your community that will work with you!