Sams club has a day where you go in at 8:00 am and they mark down all the meat that is going to expire that day. You can pick up crown roast filet Mignon, all types of fish, lobster, you name it, for like 80% discount!!
Winn Dixie here in the south puts a red sticker on all the meat that is going to expire and it's usually 50% off.
So you can still find deals on meat. Those expiration dates on the label are 'suggested' dates. Nothing wrong with the meat. I pay around an average of 75% off all the meat I purchase this way. Throw what I don't cook in the freezer.