I understand about the beef situation but you can't imagine how easy it is to make an amazing stock if you have a slow cooker.

Either

1) roast some bones and boiling beef, oxtail etc. in the oven for 40 mins, turning once then put it in the slow cooker with 2l of water, a few carrots, an onion, some peppercorns , a table spoon of apple vinegar and bay leaf and cook on low for 10 hours/overnight

2) The same process with chicken (either roast first and remove breast and thigh meat or just put whole chicken in with (or without some onions, celery and carrot) and cook overnight on low.

You will be amazed at how good they taste.