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Simple tricks to stretch every pricey pound

• Ground beef has more than doubled in price (about $3 vs. $6+ per pound), turning a classic budget protein into a serious strain on family grocery bills

• You can soften the hit by buying in bulk on real sales, freezing portions, stretching beef with beans/lentils/mushrooms, and choosing cheaper store-brand or higher-fat options you can drain

• Plan flexible protein meals and watch restaurant prices too, so you swap in whatever meat (or beans) is on sale instead of forcing ground beef into every dinner

As of late 2025, figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics show Americans are now paying around $6.30 per pound on average for ground beef. Even after accounting for inflation, that means the price of ground beef has more than doubled since 2000.

For a lot of families, ground beef isnt a nice-to-have or splurge ingredient. Its the backbone of budget meals like burgers, casseroles, sloppy joes, and big batches of pasta sauce.

So, what turned this budget protein into such an expensive line item? A lot of factors actually. These include smaller herds, higher feed costs, trade policy, and persistently high demand. Add these all together and its not surprising that ground beef has shot up in price, even after you adjust for inflation.

Practical tipsto save money on groundbeef

The bottom line for shoppers is stark:

• Early 2000s (inflation-adjusted): roughly $3 per pound
• Today: roughly $6+ per pound

Thats a serious hit if youre trying to feed a family on a tight budget. But fortunately, with a few subtle moves, you can soften the blow on your grocery budget. Here are a few of my favorite tips:

Buy in bulk when the price dips and use your freezer. When you see a real sale, buy family packs, portion into meal-sized amounts, flatten in freezer bags, and freeze. Just make sure youre comparing unit prices so you know its actually cheaper than recent weeks.

Stretch beef with cheaper proteins. An overlooked tip is to use half ground beef and half beans, lentils, or finely chopped mushrooms. Mix them together and it really stretches the amount of ground beef youll use. Then when you use the mixture for chili, tacos, or even pasta sauce youll have a hard time noticing the difference. Ive found that youll easily keep the flavor while cutting the cost per serving.

Lean toward store-brand, but read the fine print Store-brand ground beef is typically processed at the same facility as the more expense name-brand. But its usually 10-20% cheaper per pound. Check the label for the USDA inspection mark, fat ratio, and sell-by-date. If everything matches, go store-brand every time and save.

Be flexible about fat content. The next time youre at the grocery store, check the price on 80% and 85% ground beef. Youll often find it to be significantly cheaper than higher-lean ground beef. You can then drain the fat and save some money in the process.

Check local butcher shops too.Many shoppers automatically assume a local butcher is going to be more expensive thana grocery store. This is not always the case. For example, a local butcher in my town sells a 5 pound "family size" package of ground beef for just $4.99/pound. Ironically, they are located right next to a Safeway which sells the same beef for $7.99/pound.

Plan flexible protein meals. Perhaps the best tip is to build your weekly menu around recipes that can use whatever protein is on sale that week. Shop that sales and create your meals on where you can find the savings. Whether its ground beef, turkey, chicken, or beans. So youre essentially chasing the best price instead of forcing beef into every meal.

A retail expert shares how shoppers can stretch their holiday budgets by timing their purchases right

• Black Friday and Cyber Monday offer different strengths, with big-ticket items like TVs and appliances typically discounted more on Black Friday, while Cyber Monday often delivers better deals on smaller electronics, beauty, fashion, and home essentials.

• Smart shopping comes down to strategy, including researching historical prices, comparing retailers, stacking promo codes and cash back, and staying on top of newsletters and social media alerts.

• Even if you miss the big sale days, deals continue, as many retailers offer December promotions and year-end clearance that can be just as competitive.
  

Black Friday and Cyber Monday may only be a few days apart, but smart shoppers know theyre not created equal.

While both have become major deal holidays, each tends to deliver better discounts in different categories and knowing which is which can mean the difference between scoring a real bargain and overspending.

ConsumerAffairs interviewed RetailMeNots Retail Insights Expert, Stephanie Carls, who explained that many shoppers head into the holidays unsure of what to snap up on Black Friday and whats worth waiting for until Cyber Monday. With retailers pushing massive promotions and limited-time offers across both events, its easy to feel overwhelmed or worry about missing out.

Carls breaks down where the biggest savings can be found on each sale day plus emerging holiday shopping trends, consumer behavior this year, and strategies to help shoppers stay on budget while checking off their gift lists.

When do you shop?

What are the biggest differences between Black Friday and Cyber Monday? Carls broke it all down.

Black Friday was once focused on in-store doorbusters, while Cyber Monday centered on online tech deals, she explained. Today, the practical differences are minimal. Both events now offer deep discounts across every major category and most of the deals are available online.

For shoppers, the biggest differences are likely with whats on sale.

Carls said that Black Friday still tends to deliver the strongest prices on big ticket items like TVs, large appliances, and smart home devices because retailers use these categories to build early momentum. On the other hand, Cyber Monday usually shines for smaller electronics, beauty, fashion, and home essentials.

Shopping strategies

When it comes to scoring the best deal, Carls says it isnt just about luck its about timing and strategy.

With prices changing constantly, knowing when to buy can make a big difference in how much you save, she said.

She shared some simple ways shoppers can stay ahead:

• Do your research:Before buying anything, take time to look into historical pricing of the item. Understanding these pricing patterns helps you avoid overpaying and shows you when you've truly found a great deal.

• Compare prices across retailers:Prices vary between stores. Use price-comparison tools or simply check multiple retailers manually to find the lowest available cost. Dont forget to compare shipping fees, return policies and bundled offers, which can change the overall value.

• Stack your savings: Once youve found a good price, maximize the deal. Look for promo codes and cash back opportunities. A deal can quickly turn into a great one when offers are combined.

• Subscribe to newsletters:Brands often send exclusive promotions, early sale alerts, and limited-time coupon codes to their email lists. Signing up helps you be the first to know and gives you access to deals many shoppers miss.

• Follow your favorite brands on social media: Brands frequently post sales, giveaways, or discount codes on platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook. Social channels can also hint at upcoming product drops or clearance events, giving you an advantage in timing your purchase.

Is there time to save after Black Friday?

If Black Friday and Cyber Monday are too overwhelming, you dont have to fear youre missing out on the last of the holiday deals.

Shoppers can still find plenty of discounts throughout December, Carls explained. Many retailers roll out end-of-year clearance events that can be just as competitive, sometimes even better if stores are trying to move remaining inventory.

One last piece of advice from Carls: preparation is key!

To stretch your budget and avoid last-minute stress, start shopping as early as possible many deals are already happening, she said. Before heading to the store, create a list so you stay focused on what you actually need and avoid splurging on items that arent essential.

Huge discounts on Hulu, Disney+, HBO Max, Paramount+, and more heres your cheat sheet

• You can score the Disney+ + Hulu (with ads) bundle for just $4.99/month for a full year thats nearly $100 saved.

• HBO Max (Basic, with ads) is just $2.99/month for 12 months via its Black Friday promotion.

• Paramount+ is offering its Essential plan or the Premium (with Showtime) plan for $2.99/month for the first two months.

Black Friday isnt just for tech deals streaming services are getting in on the action too, and the 2025 promotions are looking sweeter than ever.

Whether youre trying to binge the latest Marvel series, revisit a childhood favorite on Nickelodeon, or dive into HBOs blockbuster shows, this is a great time to lock in a deal.

Heres a breakdown of some of the top streaming service offers for the holiday season all explained in simple terms so you can pick whats right for you (or your giftee).

Major Black Friday Streaming Deals (2025)

• Disney+ & Hulu Bundle

  • Ad-supported Disney+ and Hulu bundle: $4.99/month for 12 months under the Black Friday offer thats about 61% off compared to the usual $12.99/month.

  • Offer is available through Dec 1, 2025.
    

• HBO Max (Basic with Ads)

  • Through its official savings page, the ad-supported plan is $2.99/month for 12 months for new and returning subscribers.

  • After the 12 months, the subscription will renew at the then-current rate (so set a reminder if you want to cancel).
    

• Paramount+ Deals

  • Paramount+ is offering $2.99/month for the first two months on either:

    • The Essential plan (with ads)

    • The Premium plan with Showtime (ad-free)
      

  • Use promo codes: BF-ESS for Essential, BF-ADFREE for Premium with Showtime.

  • This offer expires around Dec 2, 2025, and after that, your subscription renews at full price unless you cancel.
    

• Fox One

  • The streamer is offering customers a $2.99/month deal for the first 12 months.

  • This offer is valid through January 4, 2026.

• Apple TV+

  • Black Friday offer: $5.99/month for six months (then returns to $12.99).

  • Available to new and returning subscribers.

  • This offer is valid through December 1, 2025.

• YouTube TV

  • Discounted Price: New subscribers can get the YouTube TV Base Plan for $72.99/month for the first three months, saving about $30 off the regular $82.99 rate.

  • NFL Sunday Ticket Option: If you want live football, theres a deal for YouTube TV + NFL Sunday Ticket also at $72.99/month for the first three months.

  • This offer runs through January 4, 2026.

  • Sunday Ticket Add-On: Separately, YouTube has cut the NFL Sunday Ticket price to $48 (for new users) during this Black Friday window.

• Bonus

  • Walmart+ members get Peacock or Paramount+ for one year for free. The first year of the annual membership will run you $49 also on a deal for Black Friday plus a year of free streaming.

A three-day sale, deep discounts, and Cyber Monday perks make this year a great time to stock up and save.

• Big savings events: a three-day sale from Nov 2729, major dcor deals on Black Friday (Nov 28) and more.

• Key discounts: appliances and household goods at marked price points (e.g., Pyrex 10-ct for $10, small appliances for $8, etc).

• Free delivery bonus: On Cyber Monday (Dec 1), the first 10,000 users of the myDG app or website get free delivery.

As the holiday shopping rush kicks in, Dollar General is rolling out a festive slate of deals that make it easy to check off essentialsand treat yourself a little too.

From late-November through Cyber Monday, expect sharp pricing on household goods, dcor, and more, plus a delivery offer that helps skip the checkout chaos. Whether youre grabbing a gift, sprucing up your space, or just looking for a smart buy, these savings are designed for the budget-conscious shopper who doesnt want to sacrifice value or convenience.

At Dollar General, we recognize the important role we play in being here for what matters to millions of customers across the country especially during the holiday season, Emily Taylor, Chief Operating Officer, said in a news release.

"That means providing the items they want and need at prices they can afford, while making shopping easier and more convenient. Were committed to helping our customers celebrate the season without compromising on value, because Serving Others is at the heart of everything we do.

Whats on offer (and when)

Heres the breakdown of the key deals you'll want to know:

Sales event timeline & highlights

• From Thursday Nov 27 through Saturday Nov 29, Dollar General is holding a three-day sales event featuring standout price-points like the Pyrex 10-Count Simply Store set for $10, a Toastmaster electric griddle for $15, assorted Toastmaster small appliances for as low as $8, and more.

• On Black Friday (Friday Nov 28) itself, the focus turns to holiday dcoritems such as trees, lights, toppers, skirts, and ornaments are slated to be 50% off.

• Then on Cyber Monday (Dec 1), the perk: the first 10,000 customers who use the myDG app or website can get free delivery. Bonus: the DG Delivery service covers thousands of stores (17,000+ in 45 states) and filters for eligible items in the app.
  

Smart extras & ease-of-shopping

• Youll find big-value pricing on everyday must-haves: from small appliances to storage setsa good pick if youre prepping for holiday hosting or gifting.

• The delivery option is particularly handy if youd rather skip in-store crowds or live in an area underserved by big-box stores.

• As always with Dollar General, many of the featured offers tie into their budget plus convenience brand promise: affordable products, rural footprint, and a customer-friendly mix of in-store and online.

FDA reverses course on talc oversight despite well-documented risks

Agency abruptly withdraws plan to require standardized asbestos testing
Move contradicts congressional mandate in 2022 cosmetics reform law
Health advocates warn withdrawal leaves consumers at continued risk

The Food and Drug Administration said today it is abruptly withdrawing its proposed rule that would have created approved, standardized testing methods for detecting and identifying cancer-causing asbestos in talc-containing cosmetics.

The rule was required under the Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act of 2022, which directed the agency to modernize oversight of personal-care products. According to the FDA, the Trump administrations decision to scrap the regulation will be published in the November 28 Federal Register.

Asbestos is a well-established human carcinogen, and public-health authorities say there is no safe level of exposure. Contamination has repeatedly been found in talc-based cosmetics, which are widely used as powders, blushes, eye shadows and other personal-care products.

The Environmental Working Group (EWG) said todays move dramatically increases risk to consumers. Scott Faber, the groups senior vice president for government affairs, called the withdrawal deeply dangerous and irresponsible, adding that testing for asbestos presence is the only way to ensure that products made with talc are safe.

Faber also argued the action violates the 2022 law: Congress clearly required the FDA to require testing for talc in cosmetics.

Advocates say current testing misses dangerous fibers

Scientists have long warned that routine industry screening for asbestos in talc is outdated and inadequate. In 2020, EWG-commissioned laboratory tests found asbestos in nearly 15% of sampled talc-based cosmetics. The findings, published in Environmental Health Insights, highlighted significant gaps in the methods commonly used to screen for asbestos fibers.

Cosmetics companies have known about the risk since at least the 1950s, and the issue became public in the early 1970s. Despite that, the industry has continued to rely on testing protocols that can detect somebut not allasbestos fibers, leaving consumers vulnerable.

Inhaling even the tiniest amount of asbestos in talc can cause mesothelioma and other deadly diseases, many years after exposure, said Tasha Stoiber, Ph.D., a senior EWG scientist. It only takes a single asbestos fiber lodged in the lungs to cause mesothelioma decades later.

Long-term exposure effects remain severe

Exposure to asbestos is linked to asbestosis, mesothelioma, and lung and ovarian cancers. Even brief, non-occupational exposure has been associated with disease onset years later. Some studies estimate that more than 60% of mesothelioma cases in women may stem from non-occupational exposure.

Talc remains a common ingredient in cosmetics because it improves texture, absorbs moisture, and serves as an inexpensive filleran ongoing practice that public-health advocates say continues to expose consumers to potentially deadly asbestos contamination.

Prevention tips: How to reduce your risk from talc-based cosmetics

Choose talc-free products whenever possible.
Look for labels that explicitly say talc-free or use alternative ingredients such as cornstarch, silica, or rice powder.

Treat natural claims with caution.
Natural or pure talc does not guarantee the product is asbestos-free. Talc and asbestos often occur together in nature.

Avoid loose powders, especially for children.
Loose powders are more easily inhaled, increasing potential asbestos exposure. Stick to creams, sticks, or pressed products when feasible.

Check brand testing disclosures.
Some companies voluntarily publish third-party lab reports. Favor brands that disclose how often they test talc and what methods they use.

Be wary of older products.
Age increases the likelihood that the product predates modern screening or contains talc sourced from mines with historic contamination issues. When in doubt, discard.

Dont rely on color or texture.
You cant see, smell, or feel asbestos fibers. Only validated laboratory testing can determine whether talc is contaminated.

Avoid using talc near the mouth or nose.
If you must use talc-based products, apply them away from the face and avoid inhalationespecially for children and infants.

Follow recalls and advisories.
Stay up to date on FDA alerts, company recalls, or independent testing results involving talc-based cosmetics.