Would you buy ‘enjoy tonight’ meat?

There are few better ways to save money on groceries than “enjoy tonight” meat.

I’ve seen the “enjoy tonight” sticker a few times lately with savings of 50 per cent on chicken, fish and more. The catch: the meat you’re buying is right up against its best-before date.

Are you open to buying marked-down meat? I floated this question on Twitter recently and many people said they were, as long as the meat is immediately put in the freezer or cooked for dinner that night. Some people suggested asking a store to unwrap the meat or fish so you can give it a sniff for freshness. One more suggestions: for fish, try poking the flesh to see if it springs back.

There were plenty of naysayers on buying “enjoy tonight” meat. But the lesson I take away from these and other Twitter responses is that a lot of people are totally fine with it for at least some kinds of meat or fish:

• ”Absolutely, done it many times.”
• ”Yes, all the time. Go home, portion it, vacuum seal it and freeze it.”
• ”All the time. Freeze for later. Mostly red meat though. But have done seafood too.”
• ”Yes, I have and it’s always fine”
• ”I grew up on marked-down meat”

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Rob’s personal finance reading list

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RewardsCanada.ca asked readers to name their favourite credit cards and loyalty programs. TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite did well.

Millennials who can’t afford to start a family

The Guardian on young adults who would love to have children, but can’t afford it. Now for a story about how the pandemic has caused a baby bust in Canada – 13,434 fewer children were born in 2020 than in 2019 – the lowest number since 2006.

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A roundup of 75 seniors discounts from places like Tim Horton’s, McDonald’s, M&M Food Market and Bulk Barn.

Red alerts from your home inspection

A U.S. take on five of the most expensive fixes that turn up home inspection reports. Helpful if it’s possible to set passing an inspection as a condition of a home purchase. This may not be possible in hot markets, but it’s definitely advisable.

Ask Rob

Q: What can you tell me about the Longevity Pension Fund? Would you recommend it?

A: If you don’t have a workplace pension and are concerned about running out of money, I recommend you consider the Longevity Pension Fund among other options. Here’s a column I wrote about this new investing product for seniors, and here’s a recent take from a financial writer.

Do you have a question for me? Send it my way. Sorry I can't answer every one personally. Questions and answers are edited for length and clarity.

Today’s financial tool

A directory of dividend blogs by a blogger who also covers the dividend scene.

The money-free zone

My most enjoyable read so far this year, from start to finish. Harlem Shuffle, by Colson Whitehead. A crime story about race.

Cook this

In response to last week’s newsletter about bread and food wastage, Shelley Robinson of Ottawa provided a recipe that she finds helpful for using up leftover bread. Eggless Strata with Butternut, Sausage, Kale and Fontina

Who I’m following on Twitter

Carl Richards, who has a knack for explaining investing and personal finance ideas with simple diagrams.

In case you missed these Globe and Mail personal finance-related stories

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More Rob Carrick and money coverage

Subscribe to Stress Test on Apple podcasts or Spotify. For more money stories, follow me on Instagram and Twitter, and join the discussion on my Facebook page. Millennial readers, join our Gen Y Money Facebook group.

Even more coverage from Rob Carrick:

• 🎧 Catch up on Stress Test: Are your parents giving you money? • Why it’s time to stop shaming the renting lifestyle • Is now the right time to buy a house? • Why are young Canadians leaving the cities they love? • Eating in: How COVID has shifted our food spending • Crisis-proof your finances? • Can you afford to live downtown? • The cost of kids
• ✔️ The housing file: The housing boom is ripping apart the financial fabric of Canada • Shut out: A well-qualified millennial home seeker throws up his hands after losing multiple bidding wars • Big city housing affordability is over – now what? • She sold her Toronto house to retire somewhere cheaper, but it didn’t work • How young adults and the whole country win with a tougher mortgage stress test for home buyers • Can’t afford your house? It’s likely not your fault
• 📈 Investing: Robo-advisers have grown out of the novelty stage. Here’s help in finding one right for you • The 2021 ETF Buyer’s Guide: Best Canadian equity funds • The 2021 Globe and Mail online brokerage ranking: Who’s best for investing … and answering the phone • Are these the stock market returns of a lifetime? • On the cusp of retirement and wondering about an ETF that pushes the limits on aggressiveness
• 💰 Your money: The five most important numbers for checking the health of your personal finances • Today’s freakishly low mortgage rates can’t last. What will pandemic home buyers do when they rise? • There’s a cost in money, isolation and family stress when seniors choose to remain in their own private homes • Taking CPP early can cost you $100,000 and limit your long term options • Fleeing the city for the suburbs? Watch out for higher property taxes, more cars and other costs

Are you reading this newsletter on the web or did someone forward the e-mail version to you? If so, you can sign up for Carrick on Money here.