How To Save Money On Meat

A question I get asked a lot is how to save money on meat products.  I decided to write a post and tell about how our family does it.  You can decide if this method is good for your family.

The best deals we find on meat are usually in the middle of the night.  Occasionally during the day, but most of the time at night.  Yes, it’s a pain, but you do what you have to do in order to save money and stick to the budget.  I suggest heading out around 2-3 am.  Just load all the kids up in the car and drive.  The more people you have with you, the better deals you can find, since you have all of those extra sets of eyes.  Make sure to head out in a large vehicle –  I personally recommend a pickup truck or a large van.  Have the kids all look out the window and  make a game out of it to see who can find the meat first.  If you drive long enough, you will find it!

For my Athens area friends, I recommend heading to Madison County for the best selection.  Keep your eyes peeled on the road and you’re bound to find something appetizing.  The reason you want to head out in the middle of the night is that you will want to snag the meat before the vultures get to it.

Now from personal experience, I suggest staying away from anything you can’t identify, and especially ones that are black with a white stripe.  I absolutely love a good possum stew.  Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it!  Here’s the recipe for that:

INGREDIENTS

• 1 large possum – skinned, gutted, and cut into pieces
• 4 large potatoes, quartered
• 1 pound carrots, chopped
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped
• 4 onions, sliced
• 2 cups water
• 1/4 medium head cabbage
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper

Throw it all in the crock pot and cook all day.  Mmm… so great to smell that possum cooking all day.   

With all that being said, just one last thing to add…..