November 14, 2008

Saving money

I have been saving tons of money on food, but am still open for bargains.
So, I thought I would pass on a few here and if you find any, let me know.
First of all, this isn't a bargain, but it is good sense.
I need to maintain my protein levels. One of the way to do that is to buy meat. There is a local butcher that buys beef from the local farmers. This beef doesn't have any of the usual additives, steroids, hormones, etc.. It is all just pure beef raised locally.
He sells the beef by the quarter or half, or full cow. I have read where he will store it for you in the cut that you want, or you can buy it and store it yourself. The price per pound is not as expensive as you might think.
He will also arrange it the way you want. So, if I order 50 pounds of ground beef, he will use the beef I pick, and split it into the portions I want.
I have an industrial freezer that I bought 25 years ago, and it can hold a half cow if I choose. Something to think about.

Next: The wholesale club.
I belong to BJs over in Centerville. They have a good general selection of food. I can buy it and store it and use it as I need.
I buy the large containers of paper products (Towels, Kleenex, Toilet) and store them in the closet. It will take me a year to go through the toilet paper, and it is cheaper in quantity.
They sell products you could get at the supermarket in quantity that is cheaper than the supermarket. The portions are the same size, but they sell more of them bundled together. For example, since I like to make chili, I can buy a case of canned tomatoes, in 3 different varieties. I can store them in the basement and get what I need as I need them.
Where the supermarket sell a pack of 6, BJs sells 18. Frozen items are good this way. I have 2 Perdue chickens for my rotisserie whenever I need them.
They have a lot of different items there for my wife's menu too. Yogurt by the case is better than paying more for individual pieces. I can get my fiber one yogurt in 18 count. Saves going to Weis once a week.
I buy the pain killer of my choice in 500 count bottles. Lasts a long time.
I can buy a 3 pack of shaving cream that lasts a year or more. Tooth paste, brushes, light bulbs, and bottled water too.
They have a Verizon store where I bought my bluetooth and some other accessories.
They will let you wander around and even let you buy if you sign up.
I would go to all of the clubs before you make your choice. All of them have gasoline, so that isn't a big consideration. BJs works for me, but I've been to Costco, and Sam's club too. We check out the other once a year to make sure this is the one we like the best. So far it is.
They charge you $40 a year to join, but you can make that up in savings. Buy larger quantity, shop less per year, save money. Good deal all around.

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