We all want to save tons of money when we shop for groceries, but how do we go about doing that?

One of the huge areas we save money in grocery shopping is through marked down items! These are absolutely critical.

Yes, mark downs.

Once upon a time, I would NEVER buy marked down meat, ever, for any circumstance. Now it is the 80% of what we eat - I almost never buy meat full price.

I have always been a scratch and dent girl and don't mind cans, furniture, appliances or most other things with a flaw.

But marked down meat? Paradigm shift needed, major attitude adjustment!

What were my fears on marked down meat?

1. It was not fresh, it is out of date. Grocery stores cannot sell items after the "Sell by" date, so it is assuredly before or on that date!

2. It would not taste as good. We have been buying marked down meat for several years and never once had a single problem!

3. It is icky. See above.

4. Waaa, I don't want it! Aha, now we are getting somewhere. Marked down meat must be below my station? Anything NOT to buy it!

So there you have it:

• 12 packages of Organic Harvest Farms Bacon at $1.99 each, regular price $4.99. Savings $36 and bacon for a season!
• 7 large cans of Muir Glen Tomatoes (our fav!) for $.50 each, normally $2.49. Savings $14, will make 7 pots of chili
• 1 package Harvest Farm Organic Pork - I can't make out the # but less than half price for dinner!

You CAN save money on food without chemicals, additives, preservatives and in a more natural state.

Be prepared to buy EVERYTHING they have when you come across deals like these, if and only IF your family will eat them. These are favorites and I know we would use them up. I try to keep a little rainy day bargain fund in my food budget so I can take advantage of deals like this!

And sure, it would be cheaper in the long haul to buy half a pig or a cow, etc, but you know, it is a lot easier for me to spend $24 on 12 packages of bacon that we know we love, than it it to come up with cash and food storage for 1/2 a pig!

Work with what you have! You can still be a suburban girl, a city girl and get great, great bargains!

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