How to tell what's the best deal?

[jennythereader]

Buying the groceries, and doing most of the cooking, is my major contribution to the household.

I've been planning the menu out a week or so ahead of time, then going grocery shopping based on what I decided to make. The problem with this system is that I was spending more than I wanted to, especially on meat.

So what I've been trying to do the last few weeks is choose recipes based on what I already have in the house. My rule is that I try not to buy more than one ingredient per recipe, unless it's replenishing a staple that I like to have on hand all the time.

Once I get to the grocery store I go down the list and get all the specified stuff, and then wander over to the meat department. And that's where I get lost. See, my idea is to spend $10-20 on the best deal. But how do I decide what the best deal is? Are chicken drumsticks at $1.69/lb a better buy than boneless breasts at $2.19/lb? More of the breast is meat, but I can use the bones from the drumsticks to make stock. And what about other types of meat completely? Ground beef at $1.99/lb? Pork chops at $2.99/lb?

Any suggestions for how I can figure this out?

Comments

[siderea]

it's a pain to take notes while I'm at the store

Yeah, but if you don't, you won't know, right? If you want the data, you have to collect it.

[jennythe-reader.livejournal.com]

True enough.

[purpura.livejournal.com]

They've got to have an app for that somewhere!!!

K's general policy is to never by meat that's over 3 dollars a pound. Mind you, down here meat is more expensive.

Also, look into BJs or Sams Club - their meat is usually very well priced, but you have to buy more of is than one meals worth. A lot of prep and freeze. Shopping in the bulk places can be quite rewarding, but takes time to figure it all out.

[purpura.livejournal.com]

Oh another thing on bone in chicken (not whole chicken, but the breasts) vs, plain breast meat - yes, it's cheaper, but you get less meat and more work. But you do get the bones for stock.

So it's a matter of where in the work-cost-time game you place it. Not practical for us, but we've got more people. And for a full house of us (11 at the moment) 2 roast chickens do fine.

[jennythe-reader.livejournal.com]

I do BJ's for most of my canned goods. Part of the reason I did this post was because I was having a hard time deciding if the meat at BJ's was really as good a deal as it claims to be.