How to shop wisely as You Pick 5 for 25 meats for your family.

Pick 5 for 25 can be a real bargain; especially if you shop wisely to get the best deals for your family.

Here are some simple tips I use to get the most out of the Pick 5 for 25 section at the meat counter.

#1 Think before you purchase.

Pick only those items that you will actually prepare and your family will eat. One unused item will cut into your savings. Hot dogs and other processed foods may be a fantastic bargain for some, but our family uses very little of those products.

#2 Consider the time involved when you get home.

Make sure you have time to adequately prepare or store each item when you get home. Do you have good freezer containers and space for what you will not use in a few days?

I break large packages down to usable size for storage. Patties, legs, ribs and such can be wrapped individually and frozen.

#3 Price per pound less important than amount of product.

The price per pound can be inflated. Look at the size of the package, the amount you are actually getting for five dollars. I start at the back of each shelf and pick out the heaviest packages to consider.

This week, for instance, one package of lean sirloin strips was over a pound and a half. For 5 dollars, we will have steak one night and steak stir-fry another!

#4 Be flexible with your grocery list.

Explore options. A package of 5 lean, very thick patties will make 10 nice-sized sandwiches for us.

80% lean patties for ground meat recipes may prove cheaper than the same weight package of ground beef which is usually 73%. Before grabbing the large package of ground beef because you need ground meat, find the equal weight in lean patties—easy to chop up and much tastier!

#5 Poultry can be a great buy if you are selective.

In buying poultry, look for plump pieces without excess skin. A package with 12-15 legs is a real find. Bake them in the oven, cool and freeze ½ of them. Add BBQ sauce, salad, and potato for quick and easy meal for a tired shopper’s family.

As with all our tasks as busy homemakers and caregivers, shopping takes time, patience, and energy. Carefully taking advantage of sales like pick 5 for 25 options will, in the long run, actually save us time, energy and money.

Let me hear from you; I look forward to your ideas.

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