How to save money on meat

I often hear people talk about serving meatless meals to save money. Now, I'm not here to debate the pros and cons of eating red meat. Let's face it, whether it's good for us or not, most of us love a good steak. How do you have steak on a hamburger budget? The cheapest way is to buy it directly from a butcher, and buy in bulk. Check the classified ads and get yourself a big freezer. Then find a reputable butcher where you can buy a whole cow or pig. Buy as much as you can fit in that freezer. You may need to wait until income tax time and use your refund, or work a part time job for awhile, but it is definitely worth it. For example, our local meat market sells New York Strip steaks for $8.99 a pound. I just got them for $2.78 a pound when I bought half a cow. No matter the cut of meat, it is $2.79 a pound. Even the hamburger is wonderful and lean. Fillet Mignon - $2.79 a pound. Pork products were $1.89 a pound. Have you price a pound of name brand bacon lately? And this stuff is fresh! You can do the math for your family, but you just can't go wrong with a big freezer and bulk purchases of meat. Happy grilling!