Merv, we've always had a small freezer. After getting hooked on smoking the past 4-5years and now getting hooked on sausage, our freezer stays packed to the gills. I cleaned out the frig freezer a while back to put meat in it. My wife wasn't to happy about that.
I happened to see the brisket in the market the week-end and noticed it had 2 tags on it. "Quick sale" Picked it up so no one could take it. Looked at price, thought about budget, looked at price, what will wife say, looked at savings and checked out with it. Went to market to get cheese to make seafood dip, Damn cheese cost me 50 bucks! :-)
Took it home cut in half, into freezer (good thing its flat) and dang, newsletter 5 days later "Brisket"
Not sure what is considered old, but we raised 3 boys. We have always bought on sale.