Clever Shopping Hacks to Save Money at Whole Foods Market

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These money-saving tips will help you maximize your grocery budget
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Prioritizing health, nourishment, and mindfulness, Whole Foods Market really is a grocery store that exceeds all standards! But with their organic and health-focused standards, your grocery bill can get very high—is there a way to reduce the cost? There are plenty of ways to save money at Whole Foods without sacrificing quality. From using the Whole Foods app to being more conscious about your purchases, we’ve got all the tips and tricks right here. Read on to learn how to be a smarter and budget-friendly shopper at Whole Foods.

Saving Money at Whole Foods

  1. Become an Amazon Prime member for special discounts.
  2. Shop on Wednesdays to take advantage of new sales.
  3. Buy 365 Everyday Value products, when possible.
  4. Use a Whole Foods reusable bag for $0.10 off each purchase.
  5. Buy dry goods in bulk and avoid processed items.
Section 1 of 2:

Whole Foods Coupons & Deals

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  1. Paper and digital coupons can save you lots of money. Search for Whole Foods coupons in your local paper or online through sites like Coupons.com and RetailMeNot. Then, write your grocery list around your coupons to create a weekly meal plan on a budget. [1]
    • Similarly, you can earn cashback using rebate apps, like Ibotta and Checkout 51 . Simply upload a picture of your receipt and watch the cash flow in!
  2. Coupons and exclusive deals can be found in the Whole Foods app . Like most grocery stores, Whole Foods rewards customers in their rewards program. Download the app and sign up to view and save coupons and weekly deals. [2]
    • Along with getting access to weekly deals and sales, you can also access your Prime discount, make orders, and create a shopping list on the app.
    • You can find more Whole Foods coupons by checking the page for your nearest store or signing up for their email newsletter .
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  3. Whole Foods updates their sales every Wednesday. Sales last until the following Tuesday, and most product discounts are from 20% to 30% off. So, if there’s an item on sale that you really want, aim to shop Wednesday to ensure it’s still in stock during the sale. [3]
  4. Whole Foods’ seasonal promotions can help you save big bucks. During certain seasons and holidays, Whole Foods has special deals and savings. These promotions only last a small amount of time and come once a year, so take advantage of them when you can! Here’s what you can look forward to:
    • 12 Days of Cheese Sale: 30% off certain cheeses from December 13th to 24th.
    • Body Care Sale: 33% off beauty items in May.
    • Remember that savings can vary based on store and location.
  5. Amazon Prime members get extra discounts at Whole Foods. As an Amazon partner, Whole Foods rewards Prime members with seasonal and everyday discounts. So, what can you get while grocery shopping if you’re a Prime member? Take a look at the list below: [4]
    • Unlimited grocery delivery for $9.99 a month
    • Tuesday sales on premade meals and products (rotisserie chicken, salad, etc.)
    • Friday deals on premade meals (sushi, pizza, etc.)
    • 10% off sale items
    • 5% cashback when you shop at Whole Foods or Amazon.com with a Prime Visa
    • Free store pickup and delivery
    • Free Amazon pickups and returns
    • Pay with your hand using Amazon One
  6. Whole Foods has special deals for Prime members in July and October. Like Amazon’s digital Prime Day, Whole Foods has exclusive sales and deals for Prime members. Use your Amazon Prime account or Whole Foods app to access savings on Prime Day. [5] Here are some examples of deals from years past:
    • 35% off ice cream
    • Buy-on-get-one LaCroix
    • 30% off boneless chicken breasts
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Section 2 of 2:

Shopping Hacks

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  1. Whole Foods’ generic brand is typically cheaper. Like most grocery stores, Whole Foods has a generic brand that competes against name-brand items. 365 Everyday Value products are usually less expensive and taste similar to name-brand products, so they can help keep your grocery budget in check without sacrificing quality. [6]
    • For example, 365 Everyday Value Organic Unsweetened Vanilla Almondmilk is $3.49, while Califia Farms Unsweetened Vanilla Almondmilk is $4.99. [7]
    • Keep in mind that pricing can vary. Generic products aren’t always cheaper than name-brand items.
  2. In some locations, Whole Foods gives a $0.10 credit for using reusable bags. Whole Foods puts the environment first, and that includes their bag policy! Some stores encourage customers to use their reusable bags and earn $0.10 towards their total. All it requires is a one-time purchase of a Whole Foods reusable bag . [8]
    • Keep in mind that this isn’t available for every store, so ask your store’s manager if something like this is offered.
    • Be aware that some cities and states require grocery stores to pay for plastic bags, making using a reusable bag much more cost-effective.
  3. Whole Foods packages leftover cheese pieces for you to purchase. Cheese can get expensive, especially at a higher-end grocery store like Whole Foods. Thankfully, Whole Foods knows this and has the perfect hack to help customers! Rather than throwing away leftover chunks of cheese that are too small to slice, the deli will package them and sell them at a lower price.
    • These smaller pieces of leftover cheese can be found with the regular cheese by the deli.
  4. Meals and dishes that are already made can be more expensive. Opt to buy individual ingredients rather than a premade meal at Whole Foods. While these meals are great in a pinch, they’re not ideal for your budget. Try cooking more of your meals yourself and freezing leftovers. [9]
    • The same goes for prepackaged processed foods, like chips and candy. These are typically more expensive and can put a big dent in your budget, so it’s best to avoid them when you can.
  5. Buying just what you need can help you save money. Utilize Whole Foods’ extensive bulk aisle(s) to get amounts of everyday staples you know you’ll use. [10] Items are priced by weight so that you can be more efficient with your budget.
    • For instance, say you love fresh nut butter but can never finish a jar before it spoils. At Whole Foods, you can make freshly churned nut butter in any size you like.
    • As another example, prepackaged black beans typically cost $4.79 a pound, while bulk bin black beans cost $2.29 (a $2.50 savings).
  6. Frozen food lasts longer and is less expensive. While it may seem counterintuitive, frozen vegetables are usually fresher than fresh vegetables because frozen foods are packaged at peak freshness. [11] A frozen bag of broccoli may seem more expensive than a fresh head of broccoli, but you’re saving money in the long haul because frozen broccoli won’t spoil like fresh broccoli.
    • This hack can be super helpful if you have trouble eating veggies before they go bad—less food waste means less money wasted!
  7. Meat can get expensive, so opt for budget-friendly cuts over fancier ones. Lesser-known cuts, such as boneless sirloin, flat iron steak, or skirt steak, can help fill your stomach without emptying your wallet. These meats are usually less expensive and taste just as great as your standard cuts. [12]
  8. Plant-based proteins are usually cheaper in the long haul. Even if you’re not on a plant-based or vegetarian diet, meat substitutes can generally be cheaper than real meat. So, if you’re trying to save a few bucks, opt for an Impossible Burger, jackfruit “pulled pork,” block of tofu, or go meatless. [13]
  9. Smaller amounts of veggies can be cheaper at the salad bar. Need a few vegetables for dinner but have a lower budget? Try selecting just what you need at the salad bar! Vegetables like lettuce, carrots, and cucumber can be purchased at a fraction of the price (plus, they’re already cut). This hack is great for a small, busy family or one-person household.
    • Similarly, you can also ask an employee to cut something for you if you don’t need the whole thing, like half a cabbage, sandwich, fish filet, or chunk of cheese.
  10. Sauces can add extra weight and dollar signs. Whole Foods is known for their fresh and delicious buffet options. However, it can be super easy to turn a cheap meal into something pricey if you have a heavy hand. Buffet boxes are priced based on weight, so avoid add-ons like sauces to keep your meal as cheap as possible.
    • If you’re craving a sauce, consider buying a prepackaged one. While it may be pricier now, the investment will save you money.
  11. The most expensive items are usually at eye level. Grocery stores want you to purchase the most expensive thing, so they’ll try to make bargains harder to find. [14] Pay attention to all of the shelf space, as budget-friendly goods tend to be on the top and bottom shelves.
    • Similarly, try to be methodical about your shopping. Avoid aisles full of tempting or expensive treats. [15]
  12. Testing a product before you buy it can help you save money. Is there an item you’ve always wanted to try? Maybe it’s an expensive chocolate or fancy chicken dish. Either way, warranting a more indulgent purchase can be hard if you don’t know if you’ll like the product--which is where free samples come in! Many Whole Foods stores offer samples of trendy or new products. These samples can typically be found near a display or in an employee-run stand. [16]
    • Most Whole Foods stores also allow customers to sample almost any type of ready-to-eat food. Just ask an employee!
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      Tips

      • Whole Foods doesn’t provide rain checks for out-of-stock sale items, except in Connecticut, Michigan, and Ohio. [17]
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      • Whole Foods accepts returns with a receipt up to 90 days of purchase (with some exceptions), and you’ll be reimbursed the same way you paid for the item. [18]
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      • Whole Foods does not offer price matching. If you find an item cheaper somewhere else or online, they won’t lower their item’s price.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://thedinnerdaily.com/saving-money-on-groceries-how-i-saved-347-in-one-month/
      2. ↑ https://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/app
      3. ↑ https://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/tips-and-ideas/whole-foods-market-shopping-secrets
      4. ↑ https://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/amazon
      5. ↑ https://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/primeday
      6. ↑ https://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/departments/365-products
      7. ↑ https://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/search?text=almondmilk
      8. ↑ https://www.wkyc.com/article/money/magnify-money/17-ways-to-save-at-whole-foods/285-428804586
      9. ↑ https://www.ramseysolutions.com/budgeting/ways-to-save-on-groceries
      1. ↑ https://www.ramseysolutions.com/budgeting/ways-to-save-on-groceries
      2. ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/are-fresh-vegetables-healthier-than-frozen-or-canned
      3. ↑ https://www.foodnetwork.com/how-to/packages/smart-shopping/how-to-save-money-on-meat-according-to-butcher
      4. ↑ https://www.ramseysolutions.com/budgeting/ways-to-save-on-groceries
      5. ↑ https://theconversation.com/the-science-that-makes-us-spend-more-in-supermarkets-and-feel-good-while-we-do-it-23857
      6. ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/whats-the-best-strategy-to-shop-smart-at-the-grocery-store
      7. ↑ https://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/tips-and-ideas/whole-foods-market-shopping-secrets
      8. ↑ https://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/customer-service/topics#00000171-557f-dfa9-a9f9-ffff27230000
      9. ↑ https://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/company-info/whole-foods-market-return-policy

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