http://livecheap.com/ Thu, 09 Sep 2010 11:25:55 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.3 http://livecheap.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=364#josc497 I have to disagree with the statement that cuts of meat with more fat are worse than cuts with no fat. Fat adds flavor and tenderness, therefore the more "marbleized", or more fatty, a cut of meat, the better. You have it backwards. Anonymous Fri, 14 May 2010 12:24:54 +0100 http://livecheap.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=364#josc499 A nice marbling in the meat is one thing -- large chunks of fat on the outside however is not a good thing. Kris Fri, 14 May 2010 13:45:52 +0100 http://livecheap.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=364#josc500 another thing stores do is advertise huge sales one week on say item A, and place that item at the head of a aisle. the next week the same item will be there but not on sale! so you pick up thinking oh its still on sale. another thing Fri, 14 May 2010 14:01:12 +0100 http://livecheap.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=364#josc501 The fat on the outside just gets cut off. The fat on the inside is quite yummy but they are two different fats. Omiewon Fri, 14 May 2010 14:31:15 +0100 http://livecheap.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=364#josc504 So the moral of the story is to not eat meat or ice cream :-( Just kidding! Great points in your article. You really have to pay attention to the details, because supermarkets and manufacturers are always looking for ways to cut costs. David Fri, 14 May 2010 16:57:01 +0100 http://livecheap.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=364#josc521 I just checked my pack of Albertson's store brand chicken breast, and am glad to report that it boasts "up to 3%" of water. It's good to know that they aren't trying to weigh it down with extra water, but I don't always go to Albertson's, so I'll be sure to always check how much water/"solution" each store is putting in the chicken. gefingerpoken Mon, 17 May 2010 04:48:00 +0100 http://livecheap.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=364#josc522 Or the sale will only last one day, and you don't realize it until you've gone all the way to the store to get just that item. You end up getting it anyway, since you're already there. gefingerpoken Mon, 17 May 2010 04:49:07 +0100 http://livecheap.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=364#josc535 I had this happen at Vons. The advertisement showed the prices for the week, but I failed to notice that 5 of my items were "Saturday & Sunday" only deals. I put them back except for 2 that were still good deals. OSH has a "pay not sales tax" weekend event that is pretty good. But sometimes it is Saturday only so if you show up on Sunday thinking you are going to get a deal, you won't. Omiewon Mon, 17 May 2010 17:22:07 +0100 http://livecheap.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=364#josc638 I think this is all good advice except for advising to shop at smaller stores. Chances are, you're getting less selection at higher prices. Instead, just being aware of the way supermarkets manipulate you into buying stuff you didn't come in to shop for, and just... not doing it, is much better advice. Rebecca Thu, 10 Jun 2010 00:19:19 +0100 http://livecheap.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=364#josc640 Large grocery carts. Bigger carts mean that they look more empty, so customers are likely to try to fill them thinking they don't have enough food. Anonymous Thu, 10 Jun 2010 00:55:47 +0100 http://livecheap.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=364#josc642 Make a list - check it twice and don't buy anything else. that's the ticket. frugal nomad Thu, 10 Jun 2010 13:17:16 +0100 http://livecheap.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=364#josc652 here in the UK, some products are just expensive in supermarkets, despite the impression given that all products are cheap. Eggs, for example, in the supermarkets are double the price of those sold in the mom & pop stores further up the road. People still buy because they just assume the supermarkets are cheaper. kim Fri, 11 Jun 2010 12:52:04 +0100 http://livecheap.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=364#josc655 As for the essentials being in different parts of the store, take Michael Pollan's advice and shop the perimeter of the store. He recommends it for health reasons (it's where the real food is rather than the food-like substances), but it applies here, too. Tyro Prate Fri, 11 Jun 2010 13:26:25 +0100 http://livecheap.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=364#josc659 Saw this the last time I went to Wal-Mart. Unhelpful. http://twitpic.com/1vabts AveSharia Fri, 11 Jun 2010 14:45:10 +0100 http://livecheap.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=364#josc665 Marbling Fat & Gristle (fat on the outer edges) are two different things. Christian K. Fri, 11 Jun 2010 16:22:50 +0100 http://livecheap.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=364#josc676 Another issue with too much added water is that it often comes out when you try to cook. When you are trying to sear or brown some meat to get a good color and flavor all you end up with is boiled meat. Often the meat loses so much liquid that it ends up as tough as old boot leather. So not only are they cheating you by charging meat prices for water but they are also ruining the meal which makes the whole thing worthless. Graham Fri, 11 Jun 2010 18:59:42 +0100 http://livecheap.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=364#josc690 It's the same here. Sometimes the best value on a gallon of milk is at a 7/11. Here, many people assume that the wholesale outlets like Costco are cheaper. frugal nomad Sat, 12 Jun 2010 12:28:03 +0100 http://livecheap.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=364#josc691 You'll get your produce, milk, eggs, meat and juice on the perimeter. And, if you must - and most of us must - go down the frozen food isle. The bread isle is the one that kills you - because they put it right next to the cookies. Sneaky little devils. frugal nomad Sat, 12 Jun 2010 12:33:44 +0100 http://livecheap.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=364#josc694 OK. This isn't a new thing but it's a new twist on the whole couponing approach to sticking it back to the grocery stores, drug stores and brands that gouge. Check out sites like http://theDealyo.com - they show you how to make money by stacking promotions ( not just on.groceries... But that's where the big sacings are)- to a point where you can walk away actually getting them owing you money. They call this their "money maker". I have tried it and I have to say I got $100 worth of stuff for about $10 when it was all said and done. Sh0pp3r Sat, 12 Jun 2010 16:32:08 +0100 http://livecheap.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=364#josc703 The biggest size is not always the best value! For some reason at our store the peanut butter varies wildly every week as to which one is the best value. Some weeks it's the itty bitty jar and very, VERY rarely, it's the huge "value" jar. So always check price per ounce - with your calculator if necessary - and don't assume the biggest size is a value! jennydecki Sun, 13 Jun 2010 16:19:28 +0100 http://livecheap.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=364#josc707 At out store where I work we are required to get customers a cart (if they say yes) when they are carrying a lot of stuff in their hands. The reason of course is that with their hands free and room in the cart, they'll throw a few more items in before they check out. Bee Mon, 14 Jun 2010 04:57:06 +0100