That sure is a high price to pay for a flank steak. Although, in reality, nothing really is a bargain here anymore. For example,
Tubes of ground beef from Sam's Club 90 per cent lean are $3.18 per lb. usually 10 lbs.
Rib eye steak USDA Choice $7.99 per lb.
Brisket 1.77 per lb. Select and choice. Prime is $3.29 per lb.
Whole Chicken is usually $0.88 per lb. either Sanderson Farms or Purdue.
Tri Tip sirloin from small meat market is $5.79 per lb.
I saw an add for T-bones fo $5.79 per lb. and rushed over to buy 4. After I grilled one we could hardly chew it. It was Select and I will not buy steak anymore that is select. I ended up grilling those steaks and cut them thin and gave them to Dixie our Golden Retriever.
I saved an old newspaper that my mother had saved which was published in 1945. The advertisement from a market (no supermarkets or chains in those days) read: Rib Eye steak - $.019 per lb. How's that strike you. She use to send me to the bakery and I use to bring home a fresh baked Italian bread for $0.10 a loaf still warm. Have we really made progress?
I feel for you Pappy. I think that everyone feels the pinch. I would imagine that the cost of transportation has inflated the expense of meats, vegetables and all groceries so much that the bite out of the American pay check is proportionally higher than it use to be with less discretionary income. Wait till you get on a fixed income like me and other retired folk and your earning power drops significantly from what it was when you were working.
Cheer up, it can only get worse. LOL.