Compare a whole-animal purchase to grocery retail — see the real savings and freezer payback.
Mixed cut average — ground beef ~$6, steak ~$15
Savings vs grocery
38% off retail
$900.00
Your effective $/lb
$5.00/lb
Grocery retail equivalent
$2,400.00
Freezer payback
How long until freezer pays for itself
8.2 months
Grocery ground beef is ~$6/lb, retail ribeye is ~$18/lb — a realistic blend depends on your mix. Entering $8/lb assumes a fairly even split of budget cuts and premium cuts.
Freezer payback = (freezer purchase ÷ monthly savings after electric). Once paid off, the freezer is pure savings year over year.
savings = (retail_$/lb × take_home_lb) − bulk_total
payback_months = freezer_cost ÷ (savings/12 − electric)
Whole Animal True Cost
The $/lb math buyers get wrong — turn any live/hanging/take-home quote into out-the-door cost and compare to grocery retail.
Meat Per Person Per Year
Household planning math — servings, ounces, and species mix into an annual pounds target.
Freezer Capacity
How much meat fits in 7, 15, 20 cubic feet — sized to half beef, whole pig, whole lamb.