Don’t you wish we could still get prices like those?

Reader Question:

Can you let us know what a good deal on meat is? I personally don’t know when to stock up or when to hold off. How much a pound is good on all the meats?

Spotting a great price on any product can be difficult.  It takes time and practice. But what I like about meat prices is that the best ones are usually advertised.  On the front page of the weekly circular.

And sometimes hidden within!

The most expensive aspect to consider when making a $5 Dinner is the meat/protein price (with the exception of vegetarian and “breakfast” type dinners, of course!).  My goal is to keep the overall meat/chicken price at $2.50 or less for the meal.  So that means I have to buy meats/chicken at a certain price or below…or this won’t happen!

I have a mental “never pay more than” list that I pull up each time I’m looking through the store circulars, and even when I’m going through the store. 

Here are some examples of great meat SALE prices that I look for when shopping:

• Fresh Fish – $3.99/lb
• Frozen Fish – $2.99/lb I usually only buy with a store coupon
• Pork Chops (bone-in) – $.99/lb
• Pork Chops (boneless) – $1.49/lb
• Pork Roast – $1.49/lb
• Beef Roast – $1.99/lb
• Beef Stew – $1.99/lb Often can be found cheaper in a “family pack”
• Ground Beef – $1.49/lb
• Ground Chuck – $1.89/lb
• Whole Chicken – $.99/lb
• Split Chicken Breasts – $1.19/lb
• Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts/Tenderloins – $1.99/lb

And I’ve always got my eye out for packages that are reduced for quick sale.  I’ll either use right away or freeze right away.  My store tends to mark meats down on Thursday and Friday…and they are usually gone by mid-morning.  Just ask your meat dept. manager when is the best time for markdowns at your store!

*Please note: This prices might be dramatically different if you are living in an area with a higher cost of living.

What are your “stock up” prices for your favorite cuts of meats/chicken? I’d love to hear what sale prices are in other parts of the country!

Photo Credit: jbcurio

I’m seeing glimpses of fall all around us.

Red and orange leaves on our neighbors tree. Cool mornings. Acorn bits all over our yard.  Fatter squirrels. And pumpkins and mums on the grocery store front patio.

And I’m having visions of butternut squash on our table in the next few months!

We all LOVE butternut squash…and this is my favorite way to prepare it.  Topped with a little brown sugar.  And perhaps butter if you like, but I don’t think butter is necessary!

1. Cut off the stem on top and then slice in half lengthwise.

2. Place in 9×13-inch glass baking dish with 1/4 inch of water.

3. Cover tightly with foil and bake at 350 for 50-60 minutes.

4. Remove from oven and let cool a few minutes.  Scoop out seeds and discard.  Scoop out flesh into serving bowl.

5. Serve as is.  Or add some brown sugar.  And perhaps some butter too.

And this makes a great baby food…as is for an older baby, or pureed with a bit of water for younger baby!

HOW TO SELECT the perfect butternut squash…look for a squash with no marks on its skin, no soft spots, and it should feel “heavier than it looks.”  They range in size, so choose one that will work for your family.  Any extra squash can be used in homemade macaroni and cheese or for baking!

Simple, nutritious and delicious!

Welcome to The Official “Stock the Freezer” List from $5 Dinners!!!

Because of the many events occurring in my life (mainly expanding belly bump and upcoming release of my first cookbook), I have decided to “stock the freezer” for post-baby.  Baby is due to arrive in the middle of November…and my book is slated for release just after the new year.  Life will be a little insane for a few weeks, even months.  And I’ve got to be prepared!

Baked Goods/Snacks

Chocolate Whole Wheat Zucchini Muffins (Lynn’s Kitchen Adventures)
Zucchini Pineapple Bread

Fruit and Veggie Muffins…I’ll make the below muffins using this general recipe!
Cranberry Apple Muffins
Zucchini Carrot Muffins
Blueberry Muffins
Butternut Squash Cinnamon Muffins 

Breakfasts

Baked Oatmeal
Pumpkin Waffles
Blueberry Pancakes – Hubs makes these!
Homemade Bagels (Tammy’s Recipes)
Chocolate Chip Raspberry Pancakes (Once a Month Mom)
Homemade Granola Bars (Once a Month Mom)
Homemade Granola with Almonds and Cranberries – Recipe coming soon!

Main Dishes

Freezer Ground Beef Mix – Cook up ground beef with onion and spices…freeze 3/4-1 lb. in baggies!
Zucchini Soup Done x 2
Taco Soup (Once a Month Mom)
A1 Beef Stew
Mexican UnStuffed Shells (Once a Month Mom)
Chicken Parmigiana (Once a Month Mom)
Zesty Slow Cooker BBQ (Once a Month Mom)
Firecracker Salmon (Once a Month Mom)
Taco Mac (Cooking During Stolen Moments)
Sweet and Sour Chicken (Carrie’s Cooking)
Beef and Bean Chimichangas (Carrie’s Cooking)
Mini Pizza Crusts
Chicken Taco Bake Done x 2

Side Dishes

Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Corn Cobs – Freeze when on super sale
Broccoli – Blanche and freeze when on super sale
Green Beans from the Garden
Rice with Garden Greens Done x 2
Drop Biscuits from More with Less

Canning

Blueberry-Strawberry Jam
Strawberry Syrup – Blend  4 parts strawberries to 1 part honey (4 cups strawberries with 1 cup honey)
Applesauce – Recipe coming soon
Salsa
Spaghetti Sauce

I wanted to give a big thanks to Tricia at Once A Month Mom for helping me compile this great list! She’s the freezer cooking expert and I’m so thankful she helped out with this!!!

It’s time that I let you in on a little secret…and no, I’m not having twins!

I just signed a COOKBOOK CONTRACT with St. Martin’s Press in New York City!!!!!  My editor and the rest of the team at the publishing house are AMAZING and I’m blessed to be working with such wonderful people!

I am working on the manuscript right now and the book is due out in January 2010!  I am thrilled about this opportunity and will give you updates along the way and information about its release, pre-ordering, etc. when the time of publication draws closer.

So…I’ll be taking a break this week from blogging to get some intensive writing done.  I have several recipes scheduled to post and FABULOUS posts from some friends.

Plus, this should be my last week of “afternoon/evening” sickness if my body behaves like it did in my previous pregnancies…so next week I’m hoping to be back on track.  Posting recipes every night…with photos (I’m sorry I just haven’t been able to stomach the whole food photography these last few weeks!) and more great money saving ideas!  So thanks for sticking with me in these past few weeks!

And more details on the cookbook coming soon…

Welcome to Bargain Meal of the Week!

Click on the link below for your grocery store to read about the bargain meal of this week. State is included in parenthesis. Stores are listed in alphabetical order.

We make the meals and BeCentsable has the deals! Be sure to visit the Grocery Gathering to see your stores deals for the week!

Albertsons

Poor Mom

Bakers

Momstoppable

Commissary

The Happy Housewife

Cub

The Lady Riposter (MN)

Fareway

Momstoppable

Food Lion

Faith, Food and Family

Frys

Saving Cents with Sense

Giant Eagle

Getting Ahead (OH)

Harris Teeter

Coupon Teacher *NEW

HyVee

Momstoppable
Savin It Up! *NEW

King Soopers

Toddler World

Kroger

Everything Moms
The Peculiar Homemaker (GA)

New Seasons

Frugal Granola - Taking a break for new baby!!

Pick N Save

Susie’s Homemade

Publix

Frugal Dr. Mom (TN)
The Peculiar Homemaker (GA)

Safeway

My Frugal Adventures (CA)

Shaw’s

Happy Cheapskate

Smiths

Poor Mom

Stop and Shop

Happy Cheapskate 

Super Target

Moms by Heart

Super Walmart

Moms by Heart

Vons

Growing Up Gabel
Poor Mom

WinCo

NW Coupon Lady

To read the grocery deals for each of these stores, visit BeCentsable’s Grocery Gathering.

Don’t see your store here? We are adding stores as quickly as possible. If you are interested in being a contributor to the Bargain Meal of the Week, please email me at 5dollardinners at gmail dot com.