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Share your Ideas and You Could Get Some Good Stuff Free!
In a recent Harris Interactive survey, 76% said they don’t want to compromise on the quality of the food they buy and 65% say they would like to find ways to be able to buy natural and/or organic foods on a budget.
I was thrilled to read these stats because not only have I known in my heart that the former was true, I also knew that the latter happens all the time, so it’s clearly possible…and maybe this Value Guru actually provides some help. Honestly, though, while I never seem to run out of ideas-and certainly not words-I don’t have all the answers for how to get the most value out of great-quality natural and organic products. That’s where you come in.
Share your best tip for how to get the good stuff for less and you could win a $50 Whole Foods Market gift card along with a Better Bag loaded with our pantry favorites. We’ll choose a winner at random, but get on it…the entry deadline is October 12th!
And, if you haven’t already, be sure to sign up for The Whole Deal e-newsletter. You’ll hear from us a few times each month about in-store specials and money-saving tips…and future contests, too.
Tune in to our Whole Story blog each Wednesday in October for a special value-focused weekly contest!
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I get the good stuff for less by buying the good stuff in bulk–big jars of natural peanut butter and the 32-ounce container of organic soymilk may seem expensive intially, but in the long run you save a lot of money (and help the environment) by choosing a larger size of something that you know you’ll eat.
In addition, I always remember the long-term savings of eating natural and organic food: I may be spending more money now, but I’ll be spending less on health costs later in life, and I’m helping local communities and the planet as well!
October 7th, 2009 at 11:04 am
Buy organic carrots bulk (the larger cello bags), peel, chop & save yourself a “bundle” over the small convience sized.
October 7th, 2009 at 11:57 am
I love the bulk section! I get rice, flour, salt, pepper and snacks for my 2 year old daughter for way less than I would anywhere else! A lot of my family members think we are rich for shopping at Whole Paycheck! But I have to show them that I am able to shop for 2 adults and 1 (growing) toddler for less than $100 a week! I do not want to compromise my families health just to save a few bucks, but we are struggling, so I’m very strict about what we buy. I think that also helps too! Your 365 brand and bulk save me lots of money, as is going vegetarian a few days a week. I could go on and on, but won’t!
October 7th, 2009 at 11:57 am
I try to get the good stuff by basing my weekly meal plan on what is on sale in the circular. This is not only a great way to feel like you’re splurging at a good price, but also a great way to try new varieties of things (ex. a new kind of apple or lettuce or even a grain or rice). Like Madeline, I try to buy in bulk or stock up on things when they’re on sale (soups and frozen or freezable things).
October 7th, 2009 at 11:58 am
Buy seasonal produce, buy in bulk, and buy the store brand. Your health is worth the investment.
October 7th, 2009 at 11:58 am
I shop sales, buy store brands (Helllllloooo 365 Everyday Value products!), buy in bulk when possible, buy dried instead of canned (ex: dry beans are usually less expensive than canned beans), and in general shop at Whole Foods! Oh, and make a meal plan for the week & stick to it — that really helps, too!
October 7th, 2009 at 11:58 am
I get the good stuff for less by pre-planning my weekly meals and shopping with a list. This way I can avoid the “impulse buys” that tend to rack up the total bill and I can make sure that less food will go to waste! Sounds simple but it works!
October 7th, 2009 at 11:59 am
I agree. I buy a lot of bulk – rice, flour, nuts, and beans. At this time of the year, beans become a staple at my house as I cook up a big pot for use in veggie chili, beans and greens, and other soups and stews. I can cook a big pot of beans, freeze some and use some immediately. Good stuff!
October 7th, 2009 at 11:59 am
Shop the edges of the store and compare prices and the ingredients (store brand vs. name brand). Plus, bring your own bags to Whole Foods and get credit for every bag used.
October 7th, 2009 at 11:59 am
I am very budget conscious because I make very little money. I go to the store with a few meals in mind and I buy a small amount of organic produce along with some organic rice and sometimes a package of chicken and then I figure out 3 meals with the items I bought. It could be a spinach, red pepper, onion chicken salad one day…Chicken onion and spinach sauted over rice the next and the last day taking last nights leftovers and adding red pepper cracking an egg in it, adding some soy and making it into fried rice. I think that if you plan your meals before you buy the food for them then you can stretch your dollar and spend less overall on better food.
October 7th, 2009 at 12:00 pm
I have found that buying frozen (instead of fresh) organic chicken ($4 or less per pound) saves a lot of money. Also, getting my organic veggies frozen (especially asparagus) doesn’t take away from the quality, but saves a bundle and it doesn’t rot! Eggs (in the shell) are much cheaper than already separated egg whites, so I do the work myself so I can afford organic. Lastly, I puree and refrigerate frozen organic fruits to add to yogurt and oatmeal- the latter two items I buy in giant containers to lower the price point. Happy shopping!
October 7th, 2009 at 12:00 pm
I stretch my grocery money by not buying processed foods. I make my own sauces, soups, breads, yogurt, cheeses, etc. By doing more of the cooking, I save lots of money and can spend that savings on high quality meats, raw milk, and organic locally grown fruits and vegetables. Sally Fallon’s cookbook/manifesto “Nourishing Traditions” is a huge resource for being able to make your own. . . anything!
I get my kids in the act, too. We home school, and as part of school we learn about nutrition, math and science by shopping, cooking and eating together.
October 7th, 2009 at 12:00 pm
One thing that I like to do is contact the manufacturer’s directly to see if they offer coupons. Or, if there is a way I can sign up for a newsletter to receive notice about sales or coupons. I also try to scan the aisles for store coupons and make meals with those items on sale. It’s all about being creative and eating healthy at the same time.
October 7th, 2009 at 12:00 pm
Lindsey, could you provide a sample shopping list? as for how I save money, ditto with the others. And we are eating meat hardly at all, so that helps. Making soups at this time of year good stuff=less needed in soup)and adding potatoes (good stuff=a bag of potatoes goes a long way) to the menu helps tremendously.
October 7th, 2009 at 12:01 pm
instead of buying prepackaged food, which is usually more expensive, (soup, pasta, sauce, waffles, etc.) we pre make everything ourselves. So I will make a big batch of soup and then freeze it into serving portions. this really saves time and money. buying a whole organic chicken, baking it, then eating it and using the left overs to make stock for soup is incredibly cheap and healthy! Same goes for lasagnas, making your own pasta. Then dry the noodles or preassemble pasta dishes and freeze them. Have a waffle party and make enough waffles for a month. Then freeze them and you have a fast healthy breakfast for cheaper and healthier than premade waffles or pancakes.
October 7th, 2009 at 12:01 pm
> Meal-planning after the current sales are published
> Making a list and sticking to it
> Doing my shopping for longer periods of time (1-2 weeks) (if I shopped every day, with an average of $25-35 per visit, I’d spend about $50 more per week than I do lump-sum on a single shopping trip – and I purchase more impulse items when I shop more frequently)
> Because I eat gluten-free and soy-free, it’s really tempting to get pre-prepared convenience foods that cater to my diet rather than cooking from scratch. But it is so much cheaper to make a big pot of soup and freeze some for later than it is to buy frozen dinners.
> I buy produce from the local farmer’s market rather than grocery stores or Whole Foods.
October 7th, 2009 at 12:02 pm
I eat lunch at Whole Foods most everyday and do most of my shopping there because I “choose” to be healthy and eat quality, healthy foods. I haven’t had a cold in almost 2 years because I eat power foods that “feed” my body NOT my hunger pains.
I eat at the salad bar most everyday. What I do is fill the entire carton, it usually costs me about $12-$13. I always eat spinach with lots of other veggies and quinoa or brown rice. I only eat half of it and will save it for either dinner or lunch the next day. So it only costs me between $6-7 a day for lunch/dinner, which is really inexpensive, when you think about what you might pay in a restaurant.
I live alone and have tried to buy all the salad stuff, but it’s too much for one person and it usually goes bad, so eating out is a better choice for me, financially and health-wise.
Again, by getting 2 meals out of the salad only costs me about $6-7 a meal and all the health benefits. Now that IS the best healthcare money can buy!
Thanks~
October 7th, 2009 at 12:02 pm
I get the good stuff for less by using the coupons that are available. I don’t shop in bulk anymore, it may be shortsighted but I tend to spend less monthly when I shop for the week instead of figuring I’m shopping for the month… Also, at the end of summer when the fresh fruits are on sale, I buy a bunch, bring them home and puree them to freeze for later.
October 7th, 2009 at 12:03 pm
I love Whole Foods but some of the brands are a bit pricey. So what I do is buy the same items I love from Whole Foods in their 365 Everyday brand which is cheaper. There’s usually not muc a difference in products and sometimes the 365 Everyday has a better quality.
October 7th, 2009 at 12:03 pm
I 3rd buying in bulk. It saves so much money! I also have found that planning meals ahead and only purchasing enough of the fresh fruit/veges for two or three days saves a lot of money as you don’t throw it out if it goes bad . Whole Foods has plenty of items to choose from that are low priced and healthy. Just keep me away from the hot foods section and I can get out of there without spending my “Whole Paycheck”
.
October 7th, 2009 at 12:03 pm
I try to plan my shopping around the Whole Deals flyer, weekly deals and weekend steals. Forecasting meals before going to the store helps prevent impulse shopping, and gives a sense of accomplishment. Utilizing the sampling opts that WHole FOods generously offers helps me sample different brands before committing to an expensive purchase. It also gives me the opportunity to look into the company more for ethical history, and potential direct manufacture saving offerings. AS with any endeavor, knowledge is power and grocery shopping is no exception. Whole foods can help!
October 7th, 2009 at 12:03 pm
My partner and I love the bulk peanut butter but we have found we save a lot of we plan our meals ahead of time and then shop for what we might need for those meals. We try and use a lot of ingredients we already have in our kitchen and mix those with fresh produce, meats other items from our local Whole Foods. I also have to say that I’m a huge fan of the 365 line of products, if you compare them to products in other stores, they are usually better in value and in price.
October 7th, 2009 at 12:03 pm
I get the good stuff for less by doing several things.
I look for coupons on through the flyers at Whole Foods and on the internet on things I know I need and am going to get.
I also like to buy in bulk when I can…it might be more dollars initially but in the long run you have a lot of product at a great price when you break it down.
And I buy the 365 brand as much as a can – great products and value!
These are the ways I get the good stuff for less!
October 7th, 2009 at 12:05 pm
I try to plan all of my meals a couple weeks in advance. I check the ads for all the stores to see what is on sale and plan around that. Plus I look for coupons online and in the newspaper.
October 7th, 2009 at 12:06 pm
I get the good prices and same quality buying organic whole food brand products, like soy milk, brown rice, olive oil, crackers,etc.
October 7th, 2009 at 12:06 pm
i save on cooking a lot and not buying already cooked, ready food. I buy organic milk and make my own yogurt, the amount of yogurt would have cost a lot more if I kept buying organic yogurt in a container. Also I use the brochure that comes every month for the best deals that Whole Foods offers.
October 7th, 2009 at 12:06 pm
I too buy things in bulk. Even though it may be expensive, I always look at the price per ounce and compare it to the smaller sizes. And in the long run I do save a lot of money. I store things like flour, pasta, grains/rice and dried beans in airtight containers in my pantry. Which makes them last longer.
October 7th, 2009 at 12:07 pm
I LOVE the prepared foods. I know it might not seem like a good deal at first, but if you really purchased all the ingredients that it took to make the crab cakes, chicken salad, etc. etc. and then spent the time to actually make it; there’s no questions that you’re getting the good stuff for less. My husband and I work full time and with two kids it’s tough to eat healthy on the run when you don’t have time to prepare meals every night. This way we all get healthy meals and our time is preserved for spending quality time with our kids.
October 7th, 2009 at 12:07 pm
Budgets are tough! Especially when you’re feeding an entire family. The best things I’ve tried and stuck with on a regular basis have helped me achieve a perfect balance in my checkbook as well as my loved one’s stomachs!
-Make a List- if you know exactly what you’re going to the store to buy, you spend less time roaming. Stick to what’s on your list and you’ll be out the door with little to no “fluff” in your cart.
-Plan your meals- If you plan out your meals it’s easier to see what you’re overspending on.
-Clipping coupons- This one is tricky if you buy single items. Check the coupons to make sure you don’t have to buy 4 of something to get $0.05 off!
-Leave your children at home- That product placing story where they say they put the most colorful foods at a child’s eye level…IT’S TRUE! You’ll end up spending more than what’s on that list!
-Buy in bulk if needed- Buy things in bulk that you or your family go through on an everyday basis. It’s likely to be cheaper upfront and in the long run.
Hope this little tidbit helps everyone trim the fat off of your grocery bill!
October 7th, 2009 at 12:07 pm
To save less money, we eat more beans and eggs and always make use of leftovers. We also buy certain items that we use often in bulk to save even more. But the number one tip that I have is to shop with a list and stick to it!
October 7th, 2009 at 12:08 pm
Early in the year, I sign up for a local CSA (Community Supported Agriculture). I like Delvin Farms. You will find alot of their veggies on the Whole Foods shelves too. Yes, you put up a pretty hefty chunk of money up front but it is TOTALLY worth it. Last year, my husband and I opted for a half share delivered every other week. We loved it so much this year we committed to a full share (full bushel) every week and split it with another couple. Not only is is local, organic and really tasty but it forces us to try new things that I wouldn’t have gone to the store to purchase. My family now as a few new favorites because of the CSA. And I freeze items that we can’t use immediately.
So when we shop at Whole Foods we spend considerably less on our produce all summer long.
October 7th, 2009 at 12:08 pm
I try to take advantage of produce that’s in season because it’s cheaper. WF often has local varieties and I frequent the farmer’s market for others. I also make bulk recipes using these ingredients and freeze for later.
October 7th, 2009 at 12:08 pm
We use the 365 brand as uch as possible and we have 1 a from scratch soup once a week and one batch is two full meals for my husband myself and our 2 toddlers with a salad and a loaf of homemade bread. So I only have to buy the ingredients for soup 2 weeks out of the month. We also do one meatless meal aside from the soup(witch is mostly meat free.
October 7th, 2009 at 12:09 pm
Well, I wrote about this very subject recently. Mostly involves choosing the 365 brand at Whole Foods
http://feedingblackmail.blogspot.com/2009/08/think-organic-eco-friendly-are-always.html
October 7th, 2009 at 12:09 pm
To save money, my mom always taught me to cook large amounts & freeze stuff for later…that way I don’t get sick of eating the same stuff every night, but I still save money in the long run. Also, I buy from farmer’s markets when I can…I get really good deals on fresh produce, dairy, and sometimes meat that way. I have a garden, too. It isn’t really large, but it provides me with herbs for seasoning & some vegetables. I also have fig & pear trees, which are wonderful. I just pick what I want to eat, and I can also store fruit for later.
October 7th, 2009 at 12:09 pm
Although buying in bulk saves a lot of money, sometimes it still takes a hit on your budget if you only have money to shop week to week. My family members and I will tag team sales, coupons, buy-one-get-ones, etc. We will shop together and split items! It works great, and also helps us waste less food!
October 7th, 2009 at 12:09 pm
Here’s a little “jingle” type saying I’ve always said in my head:
“Living ‘healthy, wealthy, and wise’ all comes down to PORTION SIZE!”
Trying to remember that not only when preparing food but when BUYING food is a great way to eat better and it really makes the shopper stop and actually read the labels of what they are buying………or in this case, ME!
We all know to look for “calorie counts”, “carb counts”, “cholest. counts” etc……..but SERVING SIZE is the key to being healthy, and getting a bigger bang for your buck!
Bill M. (dfwbill71)
Dallas, TX
P.S….WHOLE FOODS ROCKS!
October 7th, 2009 at 12:10 pm
The best tip for buying good stuff for less is shopping the 365 brand ALWAYS when available. From shampoo to laundry detergent to milk to bread. We love the 365 brand and even the kids are trained to reach for this brand before even looking at another. Prices are phenomenal and the taste is amazing.
October 7th, 2009 at 12:10 pm
I find that it’s easy to save money using coupons from the wholefoods newsletter, buying in season produce and bulk for things like rice. The price is never going to come all the way down to conventional shopping, but the cost on the body is less when you’re doing away with high fructose corn syrup and nasty chemicals.
The ABSOLUTE most helpful thing is making a menu for the week and shopping directly from the menu. If you go in without a plan, you always spend more! I used to let a lot of produce go to waste because I just bought too much…with the higher price of natural and organic, it forces me to just buy what I need…which is better for everyone
October 7th, 2009 at 12:10 pm
I, too, buy in the bulk section (which is great for saving the environment from the extra energy use it takes to package individual servings), and make almost all of our meals from scratch. I prepare several meals’ worth of food at a time, so I stretch our dollar and my time. Soups are hearty and healthy, and you can make a little go a long way! I also make my own breakfast muesli (no prepackaged oatmeal for us), etc.
October 7th, 2009 at 12:11 pm
The 365 brand is a great deal, so I try and buy that when possible, as opposed to a “brand name.” I also think about portion sizes and what will actually be eaten before the food spoils. I only consider buying organic and natural an expensive practice if the food goes to waste. I also enjoy sampling food before purchasing, so that I know for sure that we will use and enjoy an item.
October 7th, 2009 at 12:11 pm
I’m very luck to live a couple blocks away to a Whole Foods that has a community center attached. I tend to go there on Saturday while running errands and will peruse the store for sales. Then I will go home and make a menu plan for the week based on what I saw on sale. It took a couple times of being at the store and saying “Oh, I wish I had brought the list of ingredients to make beef stew since stew meat is on sale!” but I finally figured out to scope out the deals ahead of time. If you’re not lucky enough to have a Whole Foods that close, I would recommend visiting your favorite natural and organic brands’ websites. Several of them offer coupons for their products which is like free money!
And if you can’t find coupons for your favorite brand name, definitely check out the 365 products available at Whole Foods. Always a great value and I have yet to be disappointed in any of them!
October 7th, 2009 at 12:12 pm
We took our budget and cut it in half.
I lost 40 pounds.
And I eat three meals a day instead of 1.
We buy mostly bulk.
We Eat Food.
Not so much.
Mostly Plants. As Michael Pollan writes in Omnivore’s Dilemma and In Defense of Food.
We buy “whole foods,” as much as we can: fruit, vegetables, grains, seeds, nuts, oil, agave, eggs. we try not to buy much processed food; maybe a jar of tomato sauce now an then, as long as its organic.
i only spend $60 a week on food for 3 meals a day, seven days a week, for my husband and myself. We might eat out once, at a local food/vegetarian friendly place here in athens, ga.
it’s so simple and easy and delicious and healthy to really cook from scratch, and to eat seasonally when the produce price reflects its natural abundance.
live and love the food you eat, yall!
October 7th, 2009 at 12:12 pm
I pride myself on my ability to feed my family of four solely on “the Good Stuff” while paying “Less” than what I had been while shopping at the large stores where I spent “more” for the “not-so-good Stuff”.
The day before I head out to do my shopping, I sit down at my computer and download the weekly sales flyer from Whole Food’s website. I also have in hand the current store flyer with TONS of coupons. In addition, I have signed up on various organic and natural brands’ websites (like Mambo Sprouts and 7th generation) to receive e-mails about product specials and coupons that I print at home.
With the sales flyer and coupons in hand, I make out my menu for the next few weeks based on the coupons I have and what’s on sale for the week. I also utilize Whole Foods’ web-site’s recipe section where I can look up new recipes to make from ingredients that are on sale.
I make my shopping list for what I need for my menu and stick to it! While shopping, I also choose the 365 brand which is a great value and just as good, if not better, than the leading brands. I also shop the bulk aisle which is another cost-saving and environmentally savvy way to get more for less ( both cost AND packaging).
October 7th, 2009 at 12:13 pm
College student? Vegetarian? Eat quinoa once a day to save money and get a complete source of protein.
October 7th, 2009 at 12:13 pm
I am allergic to gluten, soy and casein, and many alternative foods are very expensive. I try to order special/favorite items I can buy in bulk or case amounts at natural food stores or coops that will give me a discount for the bulk order. Flours, brown rice tortillas, things that will freeze well.
October 7th, 2009 at 12:13 pm
I try to pick a couple recipes each week, preferably using the same “extras” – fresh parsley, cilantro, avocado, scallions etc. That way none of it goes to waste. If those fresh ingredients are only used for one recipe, I try to incorporate them into a pesto or dip that I can use for snacks. I try to cook those recipes over the weekend so I have good healthful meals ready. It keeps me from eating convenience foods which are more expensive. I also spend time every couple months cooking up a bunch of different beans to freeze and have on hand. It’s cheaper than canned.
October 7th, 2009 at 12:14 pm
Coupons, coupons, coupons, sales. First thing I do when I walk into whole foods is go to the front desk & get the coupons.
October 7th, 2009 at 12:14 pm
here are three tips to get good stuff for less. It’s easy as one two three.
1) look for weekly special.
2) buy 365 brand ( they are as good as other or better).
3) don’t over load your frig, shop enough for five days. Eliminate spoilage.
have fun bargain hunting and stay healthy.
October 7th, 2009 at 12:15 pm
I get the best quality items for the lowest possible price by comparing Whole Foods prices with Publix and also by getting larger quantities when items are on sale at a reduced price.
October 7th, 2009 at 12:15 pm
I shop the sales and clip coupons…and when there is a coupon for a sale item the savings are even better:)
October 7th, 2009 at 12:16 pm
I get the good stuff by buying the “family sized” packages of chicken breast and ground beef as well as getting anything I can in the bulk food section (rice, sugar, nuts, dried fruits, etc.) Whole organic carrots are great, too. A little more work but worth it for the value and taste! When buying bananas they don’t necessarily have to be organic as their rind is thick enough to protect the fruit and you can save a few cents by going with “regular” bananas. The large boxes of baby mixed greens and spinach are a more economical value as well! Happy shopping everyone!
October 7th, 2009 at 12:16 pm
I get good stuff for less by buying in bulk with friends from local farms; We know and see the farms where we are getting the food and splitting with friends means nothing spoils and we all get a good deal.
October 7th, 2009 at 12:17 pm
I love the “Bits and Pieces” basket in the cheese department at Whole Foods, it’s the perfect way to experiment with rare varieties without investing too much.
October 7th, 2009 at 12:17 pm
I save money by shopping with friends. We each plan out our weekly meals and when we shop we buy items in bulk and split it in 4. There may be items I don’t need that week, but I always contribute to the shopping pot and try to use that leftovers in next weeks menu.
October 7th, 2009 at 12:18 pm
shopping with coupons definitely help! and also buy the 365 brand instead of others, its cheaper and the same compared with other brands.
October 7th, 2009 at 12:18 pm
I look for what’s on sale, plan meals around that. Look for prints coupons when I can get them. Also I buy store brand organic lines. Mainly we keep things simple with other non food purchased items because I’d rather skimp on the designer in season items then have to skimp on my organic produce!
October 7th, 2009 at 12:19 pm
buy in bulk. and the bulk section is also great for many items like oatmeal!
combine store coupons with manufacturers coupons. whole foods included!
plan shopping list and meals around what’s on sale
eat local. good deals to be had farmer’s markets!
combine store sales, especially BOGO, with coupons. awesome deals to be had!
October 7th, 2009 at 12:21 pm
I always check out the whole deal for coupons, stop at the service desk at whole foods for coupons, buy in bulk for the discount whole foods offers, buy cases for the discount whole foods offers, buy what I need for example if I need half a pineapple I ask a produce team member and they will take care of it same with cheese!!, go to my favorite products web sites for coupons, sign up for mambo sprouts printable natural coupons, bring my own bags, sign up for value tours!, buy 365 products (they taste just the same or even better) ( I learned that from the whole food brand wars class)try a sample before buying if you are unsure….and when in doubt on how to save ask someone from whole foods, their customer services is the BEST anywhere!
October 7th, 2009 at 12:22 pm
I get the good stuff as much as I can on a budget but one thing I make sure of is that I buy my kids organic and natural snacks. With a growing 3 yr. old and 6 yr. old who love to snack I don’t have to feel bad about their snacks. I buy them organic yogurt, chips, fruits, cookies, snack crackers and even fruit snacks. In doing this I have noticed that my kids now prefer “healthy snacks” and food. I believe paying a few cents more is definitely worth the long term reward.
October 7th, 2009 at 12:23 pm
We shop with coupons- Mambo sprouts, the Whole Deal, the Blue Sky Guide, online coupons from brands like Kashi.com- and we build our meals and menus around what we can get with coupons. We save anywhere between $40-50 each trip, and we get to be creative for how we use our goods. We also buy only what we know we will use with the coupons- so we avoid a lot of the health and beauty coupons, etc.
October 7th, 2009 at 12:23 pm
Wonderfully so, and more often than not, whenever I shop at WFs, most of the items I need are on sale, or short-time lower priced. This past weekend was a prime example – I use Follow Your Heart Omega 3 Mayo(purple label), and 2 pints are selling for $6, making the two pts 69 cents less than the quart size – yay! Further, what really compliments my visit(s) is that while cruising the aisles finding what I need(and I DO check all of aisles), I continue to discover deals on other personal staples and favorites which allows me to have a larger selection for meals, etc., during the course of the next week than I originally planned for(how cool is that??). PLUS, I can even get a couple of extra treats(bakery or deli) because I’m not going above my budget!! – it’s kind of like Christmas, in that, surprises are every where in the store – one just need to seek and find!
October 7th, 2009 at 12:25 pm
My value tip is simple, although it does require an investment… get a deep freezer. Sometimes you can find these at second hand, saving even more. It does not take long to recoup the cost of the deep freeze in savings. For instance, butter freezes well, so buy it when it’s on sale and use it when it’s expensive or your budget won’t stretch. Bell peppers in summer are generally less expensive– buy them on sale, cut them up into strips or cubes, and freeze for winter. Learn how to freeze and dehydrate foods. With a dehydrator (or a solar dehydrator!) you can make your own sun-dried tomatoes. I then pulverize them in a blender, add dried onion, garlic, parsley, basil, oregano, marjoram, salt, and pepper, and have a winter dried soup mix. Rehydrate for a really quick meal!
October 7th, 2009 at 12:25 pm
I usually attempt to use fruits and veg that are in season because there is more of it, it is fresher, and it is usually cheaper (due to how much they have). Another thing I do is plan out my weekly meals and do most of my cooking once or twice a week so we’re not tempted to run out and buy other snacks or “quick” meals.
October 7th, 2009 at 12:25 pm
When my budget is tight (and even when it’s not) I buy mainly in bulk. Mix bulk dried fruits and grains for cereal, bulk salt/sugar, etc. And I love the 365 brand, and opt for it over major brands when I’m trying to save money. Actually, I opt for 365 most of the time, except when it’s not available for a certain product. It’s a great brand.
October 7th, 2009 at 12:26 pm
I plan my meals around what is on sale that week, and I combine sale prices with coupons to score even better deals! I’ve written to many of the organic companies (Horizon, Stonyfield, Colemans, etc), and they have generously sent me coupons whenever I’ve requested. Some companies (such as Kashi) offer you coupons for free items, if you promise to review their product once you eat it. Coupons are the best way to eat well on a limited budget!
October 7th, 2009 at 12:27 pm
Clip those coupons, buy store-brand (LOVE the 365-branded items), buy from the bulk aisle, and bring a reusable bag or two to save at the register.
October 7th, 2009 at 12:28 pm
I stock up on my favorite products when they’re on sale….like Ineeka tea is $3 off right now!
October 7th, 2009 at 12:28 pm
I miss some of the good stuff!
Bring back Sunspire caramel & pecan chocolates that you had in the bulk section. #5494?? (5493?). WF ceased carrying them nationally.
October 7th, 2009 at 12:29 pm
We get the weekly email of sales and if an item that we frequently use is on sale we buy it in bulk (case). It saves us money in the long run and you get a bulk (case) discount to boot!
October 7th, 2009 at 12:29 pm
I buy as few pre-packaged items as possible. The bulk foods section in my whole foods is incredible with everything from dried fruits and nuts to rice, pasta, desserts and even spices. I also buy all of my produce in moderation (just what I need for the next few days) and leafy veggies come from the bins, not in packaged containers. This helps my bank account and also the environment. There is nothing more frustrating than all of that unnecessary packaging.
October 7th, 2009 at 12:30 pm
I’m on a very tight budget so getting to shop organic is a luxury right now. I make sure to always try and buy good quality produce and I look up new recipes to try and find several ways to use whatever I buy. I also try and buy produce that is on sale so I am getting a great deal that can be used for several meals!
October 7th, 2009 at 12:30 pm
the best way to save money for us is to shop with recipes in mind. we only buy food that we know we are going to use. and for snacks we buy bulk nuts, dried fruit and granola for trail mix. it goes a long way and is much cheaper that way
October 7th, 2009 at 12:31 pm
I love the bulk section- rice, nuts, oatmeal. I save by purchasing a lot of the stuff in the bulk section. Also, I am very fortunate to live near a whole foods so I never buy too much at one time so I eliminate waste.
October 7th, 2009 at 12:33 pm
I save on groceries by cooking from scratch as much as possible and taking advantage of sale items each week. I also stick with 365 brand items for the most part. Ironically, the economic downturn has made me a better cook because we eat less processed foods. I use more fresh herbs for example and add more of my own flair than making things from a package. I have found that my family has eaten healthier in this time of budget crunching more than ever before!
October 7th, 2009 at 12:33 pm
Get more for less – buy dried beans – they use less packaging than canned beans, more bang for your buck and taste 10xs better. Adding beans to your meals provides the nutrients and fiber – they can replace more expensive meats.
October 7th, 2009 at 12:35 pm
Choosing to eat vegetarian a few nights a week can save a lot on your grocery bill. By cutting back on how much meat you purchase, you can maximize the savings into more to spend on whole grains and organic fruits and veggies!
October 7th, 2009 at 12:36 pm
Surprisingly, shopping MORE frequently can save money! Buy only the fresh produce that you are going to use in the next few days. You will waste less and have better quality. This will also enforce efficient meal planning so that if you stick to your pre-determined shopping list, you are guaranteed to spend less!
October 7th, 2009 at 12:36 pm
I buy fruits when on sale and stock up. I either freeze them or use my food dryer to preserve them
October 7th, 2009 at 12:37 pm
As a single person, Whole Foods helps me afford natural and organic foods AND stay within my budget by offering custom portions in almost every department. For example, unlike traditional supermarkets that require you to buy a whole pound or more of meat and poultry, at whole foods I can buy one steak or one fish fillet which means no waste and it’s always fresh. Also the bulk foods let me buy only the amount I need (no waste) and gives me the opportunity to try new things (variety in my diet).
The Whole Deal value guide helps me stock up on my favorite non pershables and every weekend there are additional values in my local store.
October 7th, 2009 at 12:37 pm
I make it my personal goal to have quality AND quantity. I try to stock up on certain items when they are on-sale, especially all-natural and organic items. These items are great to stock up on when they are buy one, get one or have a special in-store coupon. Just decide what your product loyalties are and stick with them. It’s easy to spend smart if you are purchasing items that have a heavy rotation on your shelves.
October 7th, 2009 at 12:37 pm
Like many here, I buy in bulk, but I am a single person, so sometimes that’s not an option. If there is a certain jam, soup or frozen product I like, I go to the website for that product, and sign up for any newsletters/coupons that they send or have available. I think many companies are more green nowadays and only send the coupons on request or by email.
October 7th, 2009 at 12:37 pm
I like to buy the bulk steel cuts oats. I put them in the slow cooker at night and in the morning when I wake up they are done. I throw a little pasture butter and walnuts in there. The kids get raisins in there (also from the bulk bin).
It feeds our whole family nutritionally, easily and cheaply.
October 7th, 2009 at 12:38 pm
I get the most value out of my organic foods by buying the Wholefoods 365 brand. They are always more than $1 cheaper than the name brand organic goods, and usually have equal or more ounces per package – and they taste great! Buying foods in bulk also saves me a lot of money because I am not paying for the packaging, and I only get exactly what I need, preventing food from being wasted if me or my daughter cannot eat it fast enough. I also always bring my used bags back to the store because Whole Foods gives me 5 cents per bag that I bring! People spend a lot of time talking about how buying organic is so much more expensive, but it is just because they don’t know how to really shop!
October 7th, 2009 at 12:40 pm
This where I am at righ now. I decided that switching to organic whole foods is what I want for my family. I have been doing it a little at a time. It started with organic milk. Then I researched what produce is more important to eat organic than others. I am trying organic gardening. I also found a local source for eggs. I always start my weeks shopping at whole foods by shopping sales for meat and produce and then plan my meals from there. Their bulk bins help buy only what you need for recipes which helps to reduce a grocery bill.
October 7th, 2009 at 12:41 pm
I get the good stuff for less by buying in bulk, purchasing the lower-priced 365 everyday value brand itmes when possible, and using coupons.
October 7th, 2009 at 12:43 pm
Slowly decrease your fear of working with raw materials. Don’t buy a can of beans. Buy the dried beans. Don’t buy tortillas (only to throw out a few next week). Buy the flour, make a batch, and freeze the dough for fresh warm tortillas next time. Get basil, garlic and walnuts from bulk and make an ice tray of pesto to drop into pasta later. Sure, it’s a time investment at first, but once routine it is all very efficient and economical.
Buy strong flavors of higher quality, but purchase less quantity. Stronger flavors can be used sparingly and still have an impact. Cheeses are a good example. The WF cheese person will cut down a prewrapped hunk of pricier but more flavorful cheese for you. Bulk spices are a great deal too. Most of what you need is under $0.35 for a little half-scoop bag. The prepackaged 1oz.-and-up stuff will sit in your pantry forever losing flavor anyway, and probably get thrown out eventually.
Two small trips per week is better than one large trip, because you can buy cheaper fresh items rather than longer lasting but more expensive prepackaged items. Local products are usually cheaper too (or should be), having little transportation overhead worked into the price. And they’re usually fresher.
Items locally in season are cheaper too. And if you like to cook it’s fun to accept the challenge of leveraging that unique local ingredient into a new dish you’ve never attempted. It’s a great way to increase your flavor-combining skills.
IMHO
October 7th, 2009 at 12:43 pm
I love the bulk bins too.
October 7th, 2009 at 12:43 pm
I get my best value by purchasing many of my fruits and veggies frozen…Since they are frozen right away at their peak, they often taste better and I don’t have the waste I have when I buy fresh.
October 7th, 2009 at 12:44 pm
As a really poor college student who loves to eat healthy the things I have learned is to buy in bulk!! I will come shopping and spend a whole lot all at once and it will last all month most of the time. Also buy produce in season. If you buy berries while they are in season you can freeze them and use them at another time.Just making small changes you can save alot of money and still eat organic, healthy food.
October 7th, 2009 at 12:45 pm
First of all start with a list. Don’t impulse shop. Buy produce that is on sale. Just make sure you know how to prepare the item, and that you and your family like the item. This way you get variety as well a better value. Don’t buy processed foods. Stay away from convenient items. Take advantage of the recipes online and get better at cooking. Cooking for yourself is the only way to reduce cost.
October 7th, 2009 at 12:45 pm
I have a 4 pronged approach:
1 – I research specials and take advantage of them by buying plenty. I pour over the Whole Deal and check my stores weekly specials each week.
2 – Buy in bulk, even if things are not on special, generally buying in bulk is cheaper
3- For my favorite products and the items I buy regularly, I go to their websites and subscribe to any newsletter they may have. I also send requests for coupons and to be a product tester. This brings me a good supply of coupons for things I use all the time.
4 – When I buy more of something than I can use right away, I leave out what I will use and freeze the rest. You can freeze fruits, cheeses, meats and some vegetables right away, other things you need to blanch or prepare first.
And a bonus, we shop on Saturdays and I always bring any family member at home with me. There are so many great samples that I do not have to feed them lunch after the trip (although a stop at the coffee bar seems to always get worked in)
October 7th, 2009 at 12:46 pm
Shop seasonal and don’t buy more than you can use before it spoils.
October 7th, 2009 at 12:46 pm
It’s All About the List!!
#1 Bring it and stick too it. It takes about 20 minutes ahead of time, but the list gets you organized for the week and keeps you from buying extra items you don’t need
#4 Have two veggie/pasta nights on the list…veggie based meals with beans or pasta are just as nutritious as but cheaper than meat/seafood based dishes.
3-Have a quick meal on the list…you can often buy the large prepared meals (mac-n-cheese for example) and split them into one main dinner and side dishes for other nights. Having this prepared meal will also keep you from getting unhealthy, expensive take-out
4-For expensive items on your list that you will use time and again buy big…Olive Oil, Spices, nuts, rice…can all be bought in bulk at Whole Foods!
Shop smart with your list and you can still enjoy high quality foods without busting your budget!
October 7th, 2009 at 12:49 pm
I “get the good stuff for less” by planning ahead of time, and shopping with a list. That list will have ingredients for meals for the coming week, etc. so that I don’t just let my stomach do the shopping in the store! I can stick to the list and know that I’m getting what I need, it’s good quality, and I can spend what I planned to when I walked in.
October 7th, 2009 at 12:49 pm
It’s so easy to eat healthy on a limited budget! Skip packaged, processed foods as they are usually the most expensive AND the worst for you! Stick the stuff in the perimeter of the store and buy what’s in season because there is an abundance of it so it is usually cheaper. Also, buying frozen veggies won’t hurt your wallet either..and they are also a time saver. One last thing, buy the store brand. Most of the time other brands are pricier just because they are name brand stuff, but about 90% of the time is a similar, if not identical, product.
Oh and one last tip! If you are want a healthy organic dessert, try to use frozen or fresh seasonal fruit as a sweet or bake everything from scracth. It is much cheaper than buying baked goods at the store!
October 7th, 2009 at 12:51 pm
I buy at the local farmers market. It is fresh and the prices are great.
October 7th, 2009 at 12:52 pm
I am committed to buying and using natural/organic products and I’m able to do so by maintaining a fully stocked pantry with the sale items. Whatever is on sale goes into the pantry and can be drawn upon for weeks, sometimes months. I supplement with fresh items as needed and find that it is a myth that “the good stuff” has to cost more. With a little organization, preplanning and flexibility, I find that I have a variety of delicious, healthful meals and on a budget no less!
October 7th, 2009 at 12:54 pm
For fresh produce, I buy what’s in season. When frozen fruits & vegetables are on sale, I stock up. I also buy beans, rice, & whole grains from the bins instead of pre-packaged ones. I also use plenty of coupons. Whenever I try a new item that I really like, I will either write or e-mail the company for coupons. The other thing that I now do is eat correct portions. I used to eat as much as I wanted, but since I have started controlling portions, I have begun to lose weight. The other thing that I do is eat mostly vegan and vegetarian meals–that way I save money as well.
October 7th, 2009 at 12:55 pm
I buy what’s in season. It tastes better, travelled less to get to me and is way cheaper.
October 7th, 2009 at 12:56 pm
Sign-up for the e-newsletters of natural and organic brands you love. They will frequently include coupons in newsletters or send them to you via US mail if you are registered on their site.
October 7th, 2009 at 12:57 pm
The bulk section has some of the best prices for dry goods- cereal, beans, dried fruits, baking goods…..Making from scratch costs a whole lot less than buying prepared foods. The crockpot can be your friend if you feel you don’t have time to fix from scratch. during farmers market season that is a great way to buy fresh veggies for a fraction of the cost of a grocer.
October 7th, 2009 at 12:58 pm
I use coupons and sales to stock up on organic food.
Even if I don’t need the item right away or I already have some in the pantry, I will stock up when it’s on sale and I have a coupon. That way, when I never run out of the item and have to pay full price for it in a pinch.
I also grow a lot of fruits and vegetables in my own back yard. Can’t get any more local than that. To get the seeds I need for planting, I simply take them out of organic fruits and vegetables I buy at the store. You can reuse plastic salad containers to start your seedlings inside.
October 7th, 2009 at 1:00 pm
I look for sale items and then double/triple/quadruple up. Every now and then you can find mac & cheese, almond butter, blue tortilla chips, juice, even cheese, etc. at a savings of about 50%. That’s when I’ll buy a months’ worth at a time.
October 7th, 2009 at 1:01 pm
Definitely grow as much as you can at home and use money saving coupons to get the “additions” that you need to make your meal complete!
October 7th, 2009 at 1:03 pm
I wait for the meats I really like to go on sale, then I buy as much of it as I can afford and then freeze the rest
October 7th, 2009 at 1:03 pm
Stock up on the advertised ‘Whole Deals’……..use coupons, both Manufacturers and WF’s……shop for 365 products!!
October 7th, 2009 at 1:04 pm
there are a few things that i do..
i look on forums to find coupons. like slickdeals.net has awesome ideas of things that you can get for free. there are also several magaazines that you can get for free and survey places that are legit where you can try new groceries or make extra cash.
sometimes you send away for the coupons and get them in the mail through email form and sometimes you print them. some times the coupons are for free products that are full size. also another tip.. if you like a company’s products.. send them an email telling them that you like the products but don’t ask for anything sometimes they will send you coupons for cents off or full sized products for free. it doesn’t always work but if you are bored its worth a try.
also another thing i like to do is make a big pot of soup on the weekends and save them in reusable mircowavable containers and i save so much money that way on lunches for work or even dinners if i don’t feel like cooking. it’s a great idea to make a large meal and section off portions.
October 7th, 2009 at 1:04 pm
How do I save money?
I shop at all the discount racks at all the stores I go to.
I shop at Goodwill.
I use coupons.
October 7th, 2009 at 1:05 pm
I LOVE WHOLE FOODS! I have 3 children so it is costly to eat right but SO worth it. I love everything about whole foods including the atmosphere. I know that sounds crazy but the people there are so nice and I feel relaxed in that store.
I get the good stuff for less by hunting out the deals. I try really hard to buy only things that are onsale in conjuction with a coupon. It is time consuming but well worth it. I also buy in bulk and freeze a ton! I also plan meals out in advance so that I am not buying what I don’t need. Again, time consuming but I have to work hard to stretch my dollar with a family of 5! If you are smart about it you can get some of the greatest stuff at WFs cheaper than the bigger chain stores. Gotta LOVE THAT!!!
October 7th, 2009 at 1:06 pm
I just scanned the list of comments quickly, but I did not see anyone mention the 10% case discounts. This saves us a lot of money. Practically anything available at WFs can be purchased by the case. It does require more money up front, but savings over the long term. We try to stagger our case purchases to feel the impact less.
Also, several have mentioned this, but cheaper protein sources like beans and eggs help. Also, we have staple produce that we buy every week that tends to be inexpensive, and we splurge on whatever seasonal fruit is on sale that week.
October 7th, 2009 at 1:07 pm
Buying from the bulk aisle saves me tons in the long run. I only buy the bits I know I’ll need for the week, and if I’m running a little low on funds I buy within my budget. It’s so easy to customize!
I’ve also taken to cooking a lot of veggie based dishes. Salads are fantastic, and it only takes a little bit of chicken or egg to turn it into a hearty meal. We make our own pita chips from cheap, day old pitas (toast ‘em in the oven, yum!) and I make my own hummus, guacamole and aioli, which keeps us healthy and within our budget.
We’ve also taken to cutting back on our portions. Our large italian families used to feed us large italian meals. We wanted to get in shape and do it right, so we started in the kitchen. It was a bit tricky at first, but in the long run we’re healthier, happier, and our wallets are getting fatter ^_~
October 7th, 2009 at 1:08 pm
I keep track of the stock of food that I have at home. Then, each week, when the store circulars or online sale pages come out, I go through them and make sure to buy any sale items that I use regularly, in large quantities.
I also look for store brands, which, most of the time, are less expensive, and even cheaper when on sale.
October 7th, 2009 at 1:09 pm
Settle for sales! If there is one thing I have learned when shopping around, it is to look for the sales and price compare among stores. Sometimes a true health market is the cheapest option for healthier purchases, and sometimes a generic store is the cheapest for generic items. But sales will always rule supreme, so make sure you check local listings and online to find sales and coupons and you can save tons of money!
October 7th, 2009 at 1:09 pm
Careful weekly meal planning using seasonal ingredients has been a real money saver for us. We also tend towards simpler recipes that don’t require a million ingredients and that make lots of food that can be frozen for use in later weeks, like homemade pizza crust and black bean burgers. We also buy quality ingredients in bulk for a real savings. A vegetarian diet with lots of beans and whole grains helps, too!
October 7th, 2009 at 1:09 pm
I get the good stuff for less by using “The Grocery Game” website to help me find the best deals and coupons. I also check Whole Deal for coupons and meal tips. Also since there’s just two of us, I rely on the bulk foods section to get just enough of what we’re going to eat instead of spending more and wasting a larger package.
October 7th, 2009 at 1:09 pm
The best tips are to buy quality foods in bulk and freeze what you don’t use immediately. I find that buying organic often gets you fresher food that lasts longer as well, compared to fruits and vegetables that are bought in a regular grocery store and flown in from all over the world. Don’t shop when you are hungry. You will end up impulse buying much more than you need.
October 7th, 2009 at 1:09 pm
Plan all of your meals. Base your meal plan on what’s in season. Fresh fruits and vegetables that are in season are tastier, more nutritious and almost always less expensive than those that have been shipped in from far away (and better for the environment too). Use your meal plan to make your shopping list and stick to the list when shopping. Stick to the outside aisles of the store (produce, deli, dairy and dairy substitutes) for the bulk of your purchases. Select items from the center aisles sparingly. These aisles tend to have mostly convenience and processed foods that are more expensive and less nutritious. Wash, chop, and prepare your own food rather than buying foods that are pre-packaged this way. When preparing meals, make enough to freeze some leftovers in individual serving containers so that you will have your own frozen meals that can be used for easy work lunches or dinners when you don’t feel like cooking. Buy a reusable water bottle and use it. Buy gourmet coffee beans and grind and prepare your own to keep from buying coffee out. If you travel a lot (like I do) buy healthy, easy to transport food like trail mix, yogurt, protein bars, and fresh fruit to eat at the airport and on the plane. This will save a LOT of money over airport prices. When you want quick, convenient food select items from the food bars rather than going to a restaurant. This is much healthier and less expensive than a restaurant.
October 7th, 2009 at 1:11 pm
Lots of ways to save!
1) I make a meal plan every Sunday, and try to work things we already have and things I know are on sale into the meal plan.
2) Buy ingredients instead of items. We’ve saved a lot since I started cooking breads, baked goodies and pasta sauce from scratch.
3) The case discount is a big help on staple items!
4) The bulk section is fantastic – not just for grains, but also the herbs when you just need a little bit for a special recipe.
October 7th, 2009 at 1:16 pm
I try not only to buy in bulk and organic but to cook in bulk. On Sunday I cook with my daughter and make a big pot/pan or bowl of a main dish. We use some for dinner that night and freeze the rest so that we can warm it up during the week in a hurry. Instead of using a prepackaged meal we have our own organic, low sodium, home cooked meal. We both appreciate the meal more because of the chopping, slicing and dicing that we did to get to our delicious end product.
October 7th, 2009 at 1:18 pm
I find I don’t have to compromise on the quality if I shop what’s on sale (also gives me a chance to try new things); buy the 365 brand products (which are sometimes even better than the others); buying in bulk (only on items I use frequently); and finally, by having a shopping list.
The last item may seem silly but I find I buy a lot less snacks and miscellaneous items when I go with a plan. I try to have my list seperated out into sections of the store so I am not going back and forth for items I overlooked on my list. This keeps me from walking by all those display shelves of stuff I don’t have on my list.
Of course, there is always exceptions to sticking to the list, but it really does help save!
October 7th, 2009 at 1:19 pm
I buy the 365 brand and always look at the weekly sale flier. If meat is on sale, I buy more and freeze it for later use.
October 7th, 2009 at 1:19 pm
I buy only in-season vegetables, and those I can, like butternut squash, I cut up and freeze so I can use them any time. I buy staples, and treats, when they are on sale in quantities that will last for a while. Then I meal plan with what I have on hand. This saves a lot of money and ensures my family always eats high quality, healthy meals.
October 7th, 2009 at 1:21 pm
I love everything about Whole Foods – I buy in bulk where I can, I buy sale and store brand items as much as possible but perhaps for me most importantly is I go to the store a few times per week so I buy my fresh ingredients in small inexpensive amounts and have less waste that way!
October 7th, 2009 at 1:21 pm
Like everyone else, I shop sales, buy bulk and use coupons. I also buy potted herbs to add flavor to my cooking year round. One family favorite is my homemade pizza. I make the dough (which is also used for foccacia & bread sticks) using bulk flour, prepare a simple sauce with canned tomatoes, garlic and herbs, and top it off with onions, mushrooms, cheese and some fresh basil. The dough takes a few minutes to prepare and you can get a few interesting toppings from the salad bar.
October 7th, 2009 at 1:22 pm
I match sales with coupons to get the lowest possible price, and it helps me feed my family of two on only $50 a week.
October 7th, 2009 at 1:23 pm
I definitely do a combination of a lot of the things other people have said: Make a list and stick to it, Use coupons from the newsletter, Check the store for specials, and Buy the 365 brand. I also keep in mind the things I still have at home, so I don’t accidentally buy too much of something. Because I’m only cooking for one, I tend to make 2-3 portions at once and refrigerate or freeze the extra portions to eat later. Lastly I take advantage of interesting deals- a Whole Foods in Austin had a promotion that if you bought a pound of organic sliced turkey, you’d get a half pound of cheese, a loaf of bread and 5 small apples for free. I had lunch for a whole week that way- at $2 per lunch!
October 7th, 2009 at 1:25 pm
1. Homemade snacks – granola bars, cookies, crackers, etc. are all super-expensive compared to buying the individual ingredients and whipping up a batch at home. Find a recipe, make a huge batch, and stick baked/homemade goods in the freezer for prolonged storage.
2. Shop seasonally and rely on high-quality canned/jarred items – heirloom tomatoes are great in summer, but during the rest of the year, I buy organic canned tomatoes. Same goes with other foods: fresh berries in summer, frozen in winter; fresh artichokes in spring; marinated artichoke hearts during the rest of the year. Canned/frozen fish is also a great money-saver. High-quality canned tuna and sardines are healthy, delicious, and incredibly inexpensive.
October 7th, 2009 at 1:26 pm
i LOVEthe 365 frozen stuff. for a quick an easy dinner, i buy a 365 cheese pizza and top it with the 365 “stoplight peppers” (red, green and yellow bell peppers already diced), easy and pretty healthy. in addition, we make breakfast smoothies using frozen mangos, blueberries and raspberries…the bags last usually a week and i add only fresh earth bananas, 365 orange juice and some greek yogurt. my daughter and i love them!
October 7th, 2009 at 1:29 pm
Hello,
I cook from scratch and buy in bulk.The best way i have cut our food bill and still feed my family real food is I have pared down the list of products we use. I have a standard list of basics I buy every month. These are things I use for baking and my scratch cooking. I buy them once a month. Then weekly I buy fresh foods.
Blessings,
Elizabeth
October 7th, 2009 at 1:29 pm
I get the good stuff for less by simply looking at the very top and bottom shelves at the grocery store. You will be able to find the exact same organic item like pasta or sun-dried tomatoes for a lot less. Often times the store brand or a smaller company’s items are placed there. You can save as much as $2-3 by simply looking up… or down!
I always leave Whole Foods with a full cart and never spend over $50- including meat.
October 7th, 2009 at 1:30 pm
I spend under $100/week at whole foods for a family of 4! (3 year old and 8 month old) Since I make all my younger son’s baby food, I buy a about half of the organic veggies frozen. You save a lot this way, and I don’t have to make it all at once. I always stick to the perimeter of the store. Produce, fish/meats/poultry, bakery. I ALWAYS buy what’s on sale in the weekly flyers. Whatever is on sale is what’s for dinner that week!
October 7th, 2009 at 1:30 pm
Taking the time to look at what’s on sale and then plan your weekly meals accordingly. Stocking up on panty items or things that can be frozen when on sale also helps.
October 7th, 2009 at 1:31 pm
Taking the time to look at what’s on sale and then plan your weekly meals accordingly. Stocking up on pantry items or things that can be frozen when on sale also helps.
October 7th, 2009 at 1:32 pm
I like to buy Organic 365 products, as they are typically cheaper than some other brands. I also base my produce shopping on the sales, you can easily come up with receipes for the week based on what you are buying on sale.
Don’t look at the unit prices; look at the price per ounces. This will tell you which comparable product is cheaper per ounce!
October 7th, 2009 at 1:34 pm
I have to drive and hour to get to the nearest Whole Foods. I try to make sure that I’m doing other things in Nashville in order to save money on gas. Having a son with celiac brings challenges, especially since the rest of us do not have it. So with the gluten-free list in hand (and a notebook), I went to Whole Foods to price shop and use my coupons. Two of which I printed offline and then I used the coupons in the store newsletter. I spent 3 hours, writing down prices and comparing using the coupons, verses not using them. I also pointed out to the employee in the gluten-free section that one of their specials is gluten-free and it isn’t marked with a gluten-free sticker! Plus I had a coupon for that too! The Think Thin bars are 10 for $10, and my son loves those! Also, the gluten-free pretzels, $1.00 off coupon for those, too. Then as I was still standing in the gluten-free section trying to match up my 10 page list with the items on the shelf, one of the employees and I started talking and I she gave me a box of 365 bread mix flour so I could compare it to one of the others. We were discussing which one tastes better and I said, I don’t know, I’ve never made them at the same time. Guess I will now! Used the coupon for the Van’s products for gluten-free french toast sticks. Used the coupon for he Glutino barbeque chicken pizza. Used the coupon for the Gluten-Free Pantry all purpose flour. Used the coupon for vitamin water. I think that’s about it. Oh, I forgot to mention that I drove to Nashville for a focus group, so I was able to use that money ($40) to buy the food!
October 7th, 2009 at 1:37 pm
I go where the best coupon policies are! If you stack store coupons with manufacturer’s coupons AND a sale, you can get great stuff for pennies or free! I haven’t paid over $1 for a Kashi Product in months, and a week ago I was able to get 4 Kid’s Cliff Bars for $.29 each because I hit a sale with just the right coupons.
It’s totally doable to eat well for less. You just have to be savvy about it.
October 7th, 2009 at 1:37 pm
The best way to save money on organic food, is to buy it from a farmers market or grow your own!
October 7th, 2009 at 1:48 pm
One of the ways I eat healthy and save money at the same time to make my own baking mix that I can use for pancakes and coffee cake etc. I buy all of the dry ingredients in bulk and then make up my own baking mix and then whenever I want to whip something up all I have to do is add eggs and milk plus I use whole wheat flour combined with regular flour and soy flour in my dry ingredients to make all of my baking healthier.
October 7th, 2009 at 1:50 pm
Even in a down economy, I don’t compromise on eating good, healthy food; I just eat smarter and eat less. My boyfriend and I started to make weekly menu’s on the weekends for the upcoming week and take into account nights we might come home late from work, nights we have plans, and think of meals that fit accordingly (i.e. – A large pot of chili could be made early in the week and heated for dinner on nights you’re out late or just don’t feel like cooking). That way, we only shop once a week for all items needed throughout the week, instead of take multiple trips to the store during the week. This streamlines dinner time and opens up your evenings too so you don’t spend it stressing over what to prepare the moment you get home. I’m also a big fan of buying from bulk bins and rely on pantry staples like pasta and crushed tomatoes on nights I am out of culinary inspiration.
October 7th, 2009 at 1:51 pm
Waste not, want not. Store properly the food stuff purchased so your money doesn’t go down the drain as it were. Wrap and store properly cooked food for use in wonderful left-over unique recipes. I have a relative from PEI who is such a fabulous cook that her left-over meals make any celebrity chef’s creations pale in comparison with her meals. She always takes special care when storing cooked or uncooked food. Make use of sales. Consider buying a freezer.
October 7th, 2009 at 1:53 pm
We are a single income family. We look at shopping at Whole Foods as an investment in our health.
I buy as many 365 brand items as possible to save $. Also, I buy what is on sale each week. Whole Foods does a good job at having a variety of items on sale, especially in the seafood and meat department.
Thanks for being so “right on” Whole Foods!!!!
October 7th, 2009 at 1:53 pm
I want to do the best I can for my family. Since I started shopping at Whole Food’s I can see a difference in all of us. I am enjoying the taste of the produce. Amazing how much different it tastes WITHOUT all the pesticides! I know I still have a long way to go, but we are slowly making changes for better health, and my job of buying and preparing the food they eat is the key. Now to get my husband to love the taste of soy and tofu! =)
October 7th, 2009 at 1:54 pm
I shop from a list and plan my meals. Then compare prices while shopping off of my list. The 365 brands and bulk items help on the budget. Planning, being aware of cost vs price and sticking to a list works for me.
October 7th, 2009 at 2:01 pm
I love the bulk section! Nice glass jars in my pantry (also, some cleaned and reused food jars!) filled with high quality products not only saves me money, but makes me feel like the chefs on the food network!
October 7th, 2009 at 2:10 pm
I always hit up Whole Foods weekend deals and use my great coupons from Mambo Sprouts. As I write this, I’m enjoying some country choice organics iced oatmeal coupons I purchased on sale with a coupon at Whole Foods
!
October 7th, 2009 at 2:12 pm
I stock up on sale items. When I find a grocery item on sale I buy it in bulk. I bring the item home and distribute it into smaller containers (plastic wrap, aluminum foil, zip top freezer bags and plastic reusable storage containers). Most everything can be frozen. I also rinse and reuse the zip top bags.
October 7th, 2009 at 2:13 pm
My best tip is something I learned from reading a coupon column in the newspaper — the stores put things on sale about every 12 weeks. So if you can, buy enough of the sale item to last you for 3 months, so you can again snag a good price. I did this on Back To Nature macaroni mixes recently, and it has worked great. We are slowly eating down our supply and keeping our eyes out for the next sale! — Jen
October 7th, 2009 at 2:16 pm
Good Stuff for Less~
*First of all buying from the bulk sections prove to be a better buy.
*Avoid pre packaged, pre-prepared foods.
*Always check the flyers, coupons, and sale announcements for local sales within the stores you shop.
*Keep a creative and open mind.
*Occassionaly, check websites ( WholeFoods, and other organic farming sites) We need to keep ourselves educated on both the farming and selling of our foods. Become active by contributing to these sites. How we spend our money and how we are informed effects our shopping and cooking.
*I love to bake and cook. Casserols, stews, and soups are less expensive and one can source many cultures, thereby adding a large variety of flavors for less expense, with a “home-cooked” essence that cannot be found anywhere else but “home”.
*Support your local farmers and grocers who cater to your preference. You will have an impact on the quality of foods and how foods are raised. Get to know your grocerer. I visit Whole Foods 3xs per week, also other local grocerers because they carry the products I need and the price is RIGHT!
October 7th, 2009 at 2:18 pm
Love the bulk and watch for the sale items. I also try and use the coupons in the Whole Foods publication they have in-store. Even use Mambo Sprouts.
October 7th, 2009 at 2:19 pm
Love freezing portions using my Foodsaver!
October 7th, 2009 at 2:20 pm
I try to buy the whole, unprocessed, unpackaged version of a product. For example, buying whole, dry beans from the bulk bin is super cheap! Only a few pennies for a cup of cooked beans. And if you make them in the pressure cooker they only take a few minutes.
This way I can buy healthy, organic food and still save money!
October 7th, 2009 at 2:23 pm
Use Mambo Sprouts coupons at Whole Foods to get the good foods that are healthy. Look on line also for coupons from companies that sell the products you use. Get on a mailing list and you will continue getting coupons to save money on food that do not make you compromise.
October 7th, 2009 at 2:26 pm
Only buy what you plan on consuming. Do not buy something just becuase it’s on sale, unless you can freeze or store it away for future use. When my family switched to buying primarily organic and natural food, we discovered that we were buying way too much produce and throwing some food away before the next shopping trip. Now when we shop, we only buy what we plan on eating over the next 5-10 days.
Also, try to avoid buying convenience items, like pre-cut fruits, vegetables or prepared meals. Buy in bulk when possible, and after you unload the groceries at home prepare your food items for consumption. For example, a whole pineapple is only $3 or $4. We usually buy one, cut it up into bite sized pieces, and store in tupperware for easy access. If you bought the same quantity prepared, it would easily cost 2x or 3x more.
October 7th, 2009 at 2:29 pm
I count on Whole Foods for many items we use all the time at great prices- seriously! The 365 brand coffee, cat food, tortillas, bags of organic potatoes, tofu, toilet paper, and soy milk are examples of products whose quality I love and the prices are amazing. I honestly can’t buy these things for less without compromising quality.
Thank you!
Blossom Dawess
October 7th, 2009 at 2:29 pm
Buy a Vacuum sealer so you can buy fresh sale items in bulk , not just frozen and packaged goods. Items such as cold cuts, cheese, fruits and veggies will last longer in the fridge when Vacuum sealed.
I make homemade sauce about once a month in bulk and than freeze in smaller containers so I can have cheap yet delicious sauce all month long!! Much cheaper than jarred and it’s a quick easy dinner in the middle of the week
October 7th, 2009 at 2:29 pm
My husband and I are buying for a 4yr old and 6mo old in addition to us. Everything we consume is WFM. Household products, produce, formula, EVERYTHING. We are not wealthy, but choose to make our health, which is mostly vegetarian, vegan, and RAW, our number one priority.
Best Tip: I have a spreadsheet of every single item we buy and the price. I make a shopping list ahead of time, a MUST, and determine the total in advance. I am usually within $3. Since WFM has a lot of fun stuff that is easy to throw in the cart, I know I have to omit something from my list if I want to add something spontaneous and be close to my estamited total. It’s like a game and always works.
Please pick me, so I can have $50 extra for all the great spontaneous shopping I’d love to do. You have so much I want to experiment with =) Just kidding….I know it is random. Have a happy day…
October 7th, 2009 at 2:29 pm
Buy in bulk and buy the store brand. You usually pay more money for a brand name when you can buy the same organic can of peas buying the 365 brand. I wish I could afford to buy organic all the time and I wish I lived closer to a Whole Foods! My favorite grocery store! They need to open a store in KCMO. I went to the Whole Foods in Saint Louis and it was amazing, had a great wine selection!
October 7th, 2009 at 2:31 pm
We shop at Whole Foods Chelsea here in NYC. We plan our menus around the organic & fresh food items in the weekly sales circular. It’s always a fun and interesting challenge to create recipes & menus based on what’s on sale for the week! We supplement the sales items with the 365 Everyday items (like olive oils, butter, milk, bread, cheeses, etc.) We also only eat local produce in-season (always cheaper). This means that during our local NY/NJ blueberry season, we stock up on them & freeze them in a large container for use in muffins, pies, cereal, etc. all through the year. I only wish Whole Foods Chelsea would start having the Bulk Bins I see in other Whole Foods stores – then my organic shopping would be SO much easier!
October 7th, 2009 at 2:32 pm
Be flexible with your meal planning and buy produce that is in season in your local community. This will encourage you to try new foods and learn new recipes, while simultaneously lowering your grocery bill. Best of all it is good for the environment!
October 7th, 2009 at 2:34 pm
In addition to buying in bulk, shopping the sales, and buying the generic brand, I keep an eye out for coupons on the net, in magazines and newspapers, and I go to the store with a plan and a budget. Ideally, I would love all the food I eat to be Organic and Natural, but I aim to have at least 70% of my foods Organic or Natural, to fit my budget. (On conventional foods, I read labels, and I am cautious to avoid harmful or mysterious ingredients like corn syrup or aluminum in my food.)
I also buy more whole foods (pardon the pun) and make my own sweet snacks and frozen meals at home.
I really save (both money and my health) by not purchasing giant packages of cookies, microwave entrees and other snack-type foods, and I eat less of them to boot, because I don’t always have time to bake and my meals are more filling and contain no fillers or preservatives.
I usually compare the per ounce price on the shelf tag to be sure it’s the best deal, even if it is on sale. This is what I do for great value.
October 7th, 2009 at 2:34 pm
Try stocking up on your non-perishables when you can catch them on sale. Also, check for managers specials on items that are soon to expire. You can also subscribe to company websites where you can get great coupons on natural and organic items.
October 7th, 2009 at 2:37 pm
Whole Foods is a place I truly enjoy to shop, and although I’m not made of money, I can afford it based on some of these tips, and get better quality, too:
Buy bulk grains and beans and incorporated into meals. These are very inexpensive and very healthy.
Purchase seasonal produce, and whenever possible, local produce, because it cuts down on pollution.
Stock up on items on sale that you are able to use before they go bad, especially items that freeze well.
Make a list and stick to it. Plan weekly dinners in advance.
I love Whole Foods, and it’s worth it to shop there, because the quality is incredible, and there are always great deals there.
October 7th, 2009 at 2:37 pm
The number one thing I do to save money is cook from scratch. Even when I make my favorite simple breakfast, yogurt and fruit, I never buy the small containers of yogurt with fruit already in them. I buy the large size container of plain yogurt (big savings right there), cut up some fruit, and add a little agave nectar for sweetness. The same principle applies to my other meals. I also love the 365 Everyday brand and I’ve been trying more and more of that brand’s items.
October 7th, 2009 at 2:37 pm
Buy in season! That saves you money to start. In-season, local vegetables and fruits are fresher, healthier, and cheaper than veggies or fruits shipped from across the country, or from other countries, out-of-season. I love that Whole Foods works with local producers to provide buyers a great selection of local products that are cheaper, better-tasting, and keep more of the money we spend circulating within our community–and more of it in our own pockets!
October 7th, 2009 at 2:42 pm
I buy in bulk and make my own stuff instead of buying prepackaged items. I watch ads for produce and meat sales. I leave meats out of meal that don’t need them to still be good to use them for a different meal that might call for a meat main.
October 7th, 2009 at 2:44 pm
I like buying things that have been discontinued, for some reason or another, & trying to find things on sale, I buy in bulk when I can, & break it down when I get home. I also buy things that are organic, although it is hard to find things ‘cheap’, one of our sons can’t have wheat, yeast, dairy, artificial colors or flavors, so it is hard to find things that I can use, that are already prepared, so I have to buy fruits & veggies, & make them from scratch, & also, rice, & millet, & whatever else I can find along those lines…. We just discovered Whole Foods, like a month ago, so I am just in love with the store!!!!
October 7th, 2009 at 2:45 pm
Backyard chickens are a great way to save money and eat healthier, sustainable food. The eggs are SOO yummy and the kids love having chicken pets to take care of. Also, I find I eat less when I eat food that is richer in nutrients, organic veggies, grass fed meats. Junk food is surprisingly expensive and addictive.
October 7th, 2009 at 2:45 pm
I’ve become more creative with recipes that incorporate inexpensive ingredients, like dried beans and lentils. By adding interesting spices and sauces, I can feed our family for less without making meals seem boring!
October 7th, 2009 at 2:49 pm
I really appreciate the specials in the circular and the coupons in the zine! That’s where I begin my shopping list…and my list has shifted noticeably. On it goes only what is absolutely essential, must buys to get through the week and replacement of organic bulk items. I might have a few notes on possibles – friends may come for drinks…what is fresh/interesting/shelf stable that could make an instant party? 365 goat cheese is a staple as are 365 Entertainment crackers. Often, there is a wine special to consider. Then, with the basics taken care of, WholeFoods has more than enough temptation to make for a week of great eating – a splurge on crab cakes or lamb chops; 365 organic quinoa with black beans or the brown rice with sardines Portuguese-style make great budget meals; organic spinach added to organic soup or eggs is quick. I enjoy a return to the produce dept. to select a fruit or two – the organic figs are a favorite – and to decide on a bouquet or a few stems for the table. Buying closely for a week rather than shopping for a month means a lower bill and more enjoyable meals. And it all fits into my two bags.
October 7th, 2009 at 2:50 pm
In budget shopping without sacrificing food quality, I consider the following about each product.
- Cost per serving and serving size
- Anticipated consumption time vs. expiration date
- Versatility
- Specific quality components sacrificed with price reduction
- Alternatives
With this system, I tend to remain satisfied with each grocery shopping experience in all respects.
October 7th, 2009 at 2:51 pm
I double-up on coupons! I scour the internet and various printed papers for coupons, and then I pair them with items already on sale. I also try to buy most produce that is in-season to reduce costs.
October 7th, 2009 at 2:57 pm
Certified organic just means that the company has paid to certify that they meet a minimum standard. We love going to the Farmers Market and finding local produce. Its fresh, it supports local economy, it has a small environmental footprint AND you can establish a relationship with the farmers, which allows you to get a better feel for what you are buying.
October 7th, 2009 at 2:59 pm
I get the good stuff for less by purchasing discounted fresh bagged veggies like carrots and snap peas. In particular, when the vegetables are close to their “use by” date the store often marks the products down in price. Nothing is wrong with those vegetables. I can eat them that day or the next while helping the store deplete their inventory. It prevents waste and saves money!
October 7th, 2009 at 3:03 pm
We make the most of our budget by purchasing mostly whole foods, very little in a can, jar or box. Bulk as well does make a big difference. We also buy what is in season and most available at that time. It is usually what is on sale. I have been surprised how well you can feed your family and stick to my eco-principles and be very budget minded.
October 7th, 2009 at 3:05 pm
1. Look for the best that you can buy for the least amount of money. For us that could be a less that top cut of meat but it is organic and can be worked onto one of my meals that we love.
2. Items that you use allot, buy by the case if you can. You can get a better price for it and in the long run save you lots of time and money.
October 7th, 2009 at 3:07 pm
I like to stock up when I find a good sale. Pairing a sale with in-store or online coupons can net a GREAT deal!
October 7th, 2009 at 3:08 pm
I shop the farmers market as long as I can in the season. I buy tomatoes, squash, apples, pumpkin, peppers and can or freeze them. This way I don’t have to buy it in the store and I have it on hand all the time. When I do buy at the store, I go for bulk food bins and when things are on sale. When it comes to perishables like fruit, I buy what I know I’ll eat in a week so I only have to go to the store once a week, which saves gas too.
October 7th, 2009 at 3:09 pm
The best saving advice for parents: I began making our 6-month olds’ food. He loves sweet potatoes and squash – and I saw the value of making my own the first time I went shopping. One sweet potato that cost us less than $1.50 made 7-servings, which would buy only 3-jars of the organic! I can make large batches of food and freeze them in ice cube trays buying veggies and fruits when they are in season and on sale. I feel good giving him the best possible first foods knowing exactly what he’s eating as well as saving money for our new family.
October 7th, 2009 at 3:11 pm
I try to multipurpose meals. I’ll roast a chicken one night and then use the leftovers to make enchiladas the next. Or I’ll reduce the amount of ground beef I put in a pasta dish so that I can still have protein, but not spend as much.
October 7th, 2009 at 3:15 pm
I try very hard to get the best deal for my dollar. This includes couponing (and signing up for coupons like Mambo Sprouts to be sent straight to my house) and checking in-store for coupons. I eat only kosher food, and like to cook from scratch when possible. I buy the fresh produce that’s in season, and when I can get “the best price of the year” I buy lots and cook ahead and freeze for later. This way, I always have soups on hand and kugels, quiches, even lasagna! If I’m not using a coupon, I buy the store brand, which is really excellent quality, and quite affordable. I also rely on frozen veggies when I need something that is out of season. the 365 organic frozen veggies are really affordable. Just what happened to the frozen organic mushrooms I used to buy? They were perfect for soups and quiches and now I can’t find them!
October 7th, 2009 at 3:18 pm
There are lots of things that you can do to save $$ and still eat high-quality food, but here are a couple…If you know that there are specific brands that you always buy (such as Amy’s, Annie’s, Maranatha, etc) then go to their websites, and make sure sure that you are signed up to receive their E-mails. There are many companies that are willing to send you coupons and/or free samples, but they need to know that you exist. Fan them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter as well.
Also, make sure that you go through your coupons once a week (I look through mine the night before I go grocery shopping, while I am making my list)and try to match the coupons that you have with the sales flyers from the stores at which you shop. Combining coupons with store sales = double the savings.
October 7th, 2009 at 3:19 pm
Buy bulk. Find the Whole Foods market that carries items in bulk. The two closest to me are the new Westside store and the Edgewater store.
October 7th, 2009 at 3:21 pm
I save $$ and have a wonderful, healthy breakfast by making my own meusli. I combine organic rolled oats bought in bulk, chopped organic almonds bought in bulk, ground flax seed, organic raisins bought in bulk, grated fresh organic Braeburn apples and yogurt homemade in my machine. To obtain the wonderful thick consistency of whole milk Greek yogurt without the fat, I make my yogurt with 2% milk, a cup of low-fat yogurt and 6 tablespoons of dried no-fat milk. What a great start to the day!
October 7th, 2009 at 3:21 pm
I get the good stuff for less by shopping the Farmers Market later in the day when the organic vendors are eager to unload. I also get free organic fruit and vegetables from my in-laws’ garden, otherwise, all those tomatoes and peppers get composted.
October 7th, 2009 at 3:23 pm
I buy store brands, bulk items, NO meat products (which works ’cause we’re vegans) and TONS of in season fruit & veggies. I also look for deals on frozen items that I might have coupons for!
October 7th, 2009 at 3:25 pm
I live nearly three hours from the nearest Whole foods so saving money is important. I buy frozen fruits and vegetables, watch for sells, plan ahead, and concentrate on keeping staples and not just easy items. I figure how much I need for a month and buy what I need. When I find a sale on items we use I stock up, I keep an extra freezer to keep the extra items. My son has aspergers syndrome a form of autism and requires a gluten free/cassein free diet free of artificial colors and flavors. So it is important that I make sure I have enough good stuff for him in order to avoid any chance of him getting items that are negative. We plan ahead for our monthly trips to Whole foods.
October 7th, 2009 at 3:26 pm
love everything and everyone @ whole foods.
October 7th, 2009 at 3:26 pm
We buy in bulk. We also buy food in the discount area where food is on clearance… There you can get good food still usable, but the can has a dent or lost a label… Bananas in the discount bin because of being old, we dry for banana chips..
October 7th, 2009 at 3:26 pm
Take a Chicken to Dinner, Thrice
Take one whole beautiful organic chicken. Clean it and sprinkle with salt. Set aside. In a saucepan or the microwave melt 2 oz of natural sweet butter, fresh minced garlic (2 cloves) or a T of garlic powder, a T of sweet paprika, and a sprinkle of fresh ground pepper. Place on a rack in a roasting pan with 1/2 of white wine and 1/2 cup of water in the bottom of the pan. Roast at 450 for 20 minutes, then lower to 350 and cook until the thigh meat is 180. Serve with the unbelievable gravy you just made. Enjoy.
The next day, use the leftover meat for chicken salad. Keep the carcass.
The next day, throw the carcass and any leftover meat in a pot with water to cover. Add two carrots, one parsnip, two stalks of celery and any of that leftover gravy. Cook for a few hours until you have the most amazing soup. Add noodles, rice, or matzo balls.
Congratulate yourself on getting multiple meals from one little chicken.
October 7th, 2009 at 3:30 pm
For organic produce, I try to buy what’s in season and on sale. That way, I’m usually guaranteed a relatively low price.
Otherwise for other organic items like milk and cereal, I try to buy the larger sized items as they are usually cheaper per ounce (more bang for your buck!).
October 7th, 2009 at 3:35 pm
There are so many ways to eat healthy and save. When shopping at my local Whole Foods Market I always take advantage of what’s on sale during the week, stock up on sale products I’m already familiar with and let myself try out new items at less risk if I don’t end up liking it (but that hardly ever happens!) And as busy as we all are, I try to buy produce whole and prep it myself. Sure the prepackaged and already chopped stuff will save you a few minutes, but it’ll cost you way more in the long run. Practice your knife skills you won’t mind doing the extra prep work! It’s also helpful to notice the price per pound/gallon/etc. number usually located to the right of the number for whatever individual item you are purchasing. This is the fool proof way to know whether or not you are getting more for your money or not without messy calculations and comparing box/carton sizes.
I also think the best way to not waste money by not using things you buy is create a meal plan. If you are buying something and you don’t know why, you might not end up using it before it does bad and that will be money in the garbage!
October 7th, 2009 at 3:37 pm
I buy non processed vegan food that are healthy yet tasty.
I hardly get sick, not even a cold for over 5 years. Eventually I save over hundreds of dollars on medical bill not just grocery bills.
I love to shop at Whole Foods cause I know they carefully look at the ingrediants for me. It’s so hard to shop at the “normal” grocery store. Wish all stores stock healthy items like Whole Foods. If Whole Foods is at every city, they can have better buying power which means lower price.
The produce section is a like a paradise place to go. I hope some day the prices will be the same as conventional produce. I think it can if everyone makes organic foods “normal” food which what it was over 70 years ago.
Ok everyone let your dollars do the talking, but the good foods so the junk foods will go away…. for everyone’s sake.
October 7th, 2009 at 3:38 pm
I always shop based on what’s on sale and plan out my menu for the week (for breakfast, lunch, and dinner). We try to eat vegetarian dinners 3-4 times a week for both health reasons and to save on money. Non-meat proteins are so much cheaper than meat! I also try and make things a couple times a month that can be made into multiple dinners–like a big pot of tomato sauce can be enough for three different meals. A whole chicken will give us two dinners, and I can make stock with the carcass.
October 7th, 2009 at 3:38 pm
Getting the good stuff for less is not too much of a challenge, although it does take planning. I always check out the sale flyer and plan my purchases ahead of time. I also try to use coupons whenever possible, although coupons for natural/organic foods are certainly limited. Stocking up on sale items (especially produce, meats, & fish that freeze well) can be both a money and time saver.
October 7th, 2009 at 3:38 pm
Step 1: Use what you have in your freezer! It won’t keep indefinitely and you’ll need the space for… Step 2: Buy items that you use often when they’re on sale. If you find a good sale on meat, buy enough for 2-3 meals and freeze what you won’t use right away. Soups, stews, sauces and chilis can also be made more economically in large batches – so make a vat and freeze the excess for future meals. It may help to keep a “freezer inventory” on the door or a spreadsheet to reference at meal planning time. This will keep those bargains from going to waste.
October 7th, 2009 at 3:38 pm
I try and kill two birds with one quality stone – buy in bulk AND do a little conserving at the same time. Items like the 365 peanut butter and Alba body lotion go pretty quickly in my house, which could end up costing much more to stock-up on weekly, and creating more trash. But with the larger sizes of both of these, and so many more items, I end up buying them less frequently and reducing my waste at the same time.
Using the grocery list and recipe app on wholefoods.com also enables me to plan my meals for the week and buy exactly what I need!
October 7th, 2009 at 3:39 pm
Buying the store brand, shopping the circular and planning meal ideas ahead of time!
October 7th, 2009 at 3:41 pm
We plan our meals, always try to combine sales with coupons, and stock up on fresh produce when it’s on sale and freeze it ourselves. In the summer we have our CSA, and we go to u-pick farms for bulk produce, which we freeze for the winter.
October 7th, 2009 at 3:41 pm
I use coupons for almost everything that I buy. During these hard economic times everyone wants to save. I usually food process, juice and use the microwave to cook and save time. The food comes out tasting delicious and saves on electricity. Cost cutting is my specialty and making good food is my passion. So, I’ve just figured a way to do both.
October 7th, 2009 at 3:43 pm
I have a recipe for my own Biscuit baking mix and my own coffee creamer. I can like putting in my own whole wheat flour and using fresh products for my flavored creamer. It takes very little time to make these products on my own, and with my husband newly diagnosed with diabetes and and pre-existing heart problems, I know that this is just a start to give us both great tasting, good-for-us kind of foods!
October 7th, 2009 at 3:43 pm
Buying in bulk is great – saves money and packaging materials. We also prepare double batches of food on weekends, to freeze and use on busy evenings.
We have started buying more local, in season produce – yum!
Also, instead of having a “meat with two sides” kind of dinner, we are doing more multi-ingredent main courses, where meat, if an ingredient at all, is a much smaller fraction of the whole.
We watch sales, markdowns, etc, and “stock up” on those things.
Paying more attention to ingredients, sources, and prices, has added a bit of time to my weekly shopping ritual, but it has added a new element of adventure as well “how much can I get; what new things can I try; I’m still withing budget – yippee!!!!
October 7th, 2009 at 3:43 pm
Good quality food, natural, healthy, on a budget? Do not go out to eat! Eat at home, make your own meals from scratch. Buy seasonal produce, it is fresh, healthier, and will always make your meals taste great. By the store brand. Buy the larger bags, more quantity usually means cheaper unit price. But we are not crazy about buying in bulk unless it offers a big savings. Buy items on sale, but only the ones you use frequently and you really like, otherwise it is wasted money and wasted space in your kitchen. I prefer frozen or fresh vegetables over canned ones. I don’t plan our meals. I always have certain basic food items including brown and white rice and frozen or fresh vegetables. You can make a quick healthy meal on a budget if you have the basic food groups on hand. Make your own seasonings and sauces and dressings using herbs, lemon, olive oil, sea salt, nuts, balsamic, juices, fruit.
October 7th, 2009 at 3:47 pm
Bring your own bags – good for the environment, good for your wallet. I never waste WF delicious baked bread. We don’t usually finish a baguette with dinner, but slice the rest on the diagonal and make french toast, crostini for bruschetta or homemade breadcrumbs or croutons.
October 7th, 2009 at 3:52 pm
I follow much of what’s already been said…buy from the bulk section, buy produce when it’s cheap and in season and freeze the extra, buy the 365 brand, and use coupons. I contact manufacturers to see if they have coupons, watch out for booklets (like Mambo Sprouts and Whole Deal), and sign up for newsletters (including Whole Foods email!). I also stick to buying organic off the dirty dozen list. I can’t afford to buy organic of everything, so the “cleaner” produce in my cart is grown conventionally.
October 7th, 2009 at 3:54 pm
first off I surround myself and household with roommates who appreciate quality food. as artists we are quite engaged in creative activities non stop. we need energy and good food.
by creating meals for more than just one or two, it makes our food go a long way and there is less or nothing to throw out.
makes the money more useful, and hence less waste. it’s getting the good stuff for less for us!
and on top of that filling our meals with mainly fruits, vegetables, and grains stretches the dollars a lot further as well, versus purchasing a lot of meats. meat is not an essential requirement, even though most of us love meat.
we shop for one day or two days only at a time. keeps the food fresh, and keeps our appetites in love.
October 7th, 2009 at 3:56 pm
I usually buy store brands — and at Whole Foods, that usually means ORGANIC. I buy enough to keep on hand in my cabinets. I also buy ALOT of rice and lentils — I cook them with my (canned, usually) veggies, and some Olive Oil and herbs in a big pot — this makes enough scrumptious meals that can be frozen ahead of time and re-heated when I need it.
I buy the chicken thighs with skin, instead of skinless– that’s a savings in itself.
I look for bargains in cheese – nothing that some expensive cheeses smell and taste alot ilke the much-less-expensive cheeses.
I avoid expensive Salad bars, knowing I can make the same items for much much less.
Cake mixes are also alot cheaper than already-made, and I can halve the ingredients to make less, and have more on hand the next time I want to bake.
With the large selection of quality items at Whole Foods, it is easy to walk around, get an idea of what is there, and compare the prices — comparison shopping means quality at affordable prices.
October 7th, 2009 at 3:56 pm
I think we all have the same idea’s and are all wonderful ideas.
I also
Figure out what we are having for the next week with the adds that are out and make lists .. stick to the list and dont shop on a empty stomach
my love is of farmers markets also .. I’ve been making jelly and jams at home and putting it up . I have a friend who has been doing the same and we swap .. I make my pepper jelly and she might make a raspberry one so now I have both instead of one and so does she .. I think freezing and canning are some of the lost arts we are returning to in the tough times and I love it!
October 7th, 2009 at 4:04 pm
I buy local and in season, cook and freeze quantities. Since I am single the cook ahead and freeze method is a huge budget saver! I also look for recipes with less ingredients that are more flavorful and nutritious, rather than complex recipes that require lots of ingredients.
October 7th, 2009 at 4:08 pm
To make my budget and time spread out a little more, I try to make a little extra twice a week and store them in the freezer. When I know I will have a busy day, I simply take out a casserole, place it in the refrigerator, so when I get home I can pop it in the oven. I know my casseroles aren’t rich in fat, excess salt and preservatives. Also, another great time saver is the crock pot. I try to use this more often to save time and energy, and not heat up my home in the summer months. To me, it’s the simple things that are forgotten that can really ease my budget.
October 7th, 2009 at 4:08 pm
I pick up any fruit that’s on sale (like organic fuji apples), shop mainly 365 packaged products and also grab these cheap staples from my weekly list:
Chickpeas
Brown rice found in the bins
Frozen edamame
Frozen berries for my green smoothies
kale
boston lettuce (2 heads last me a week of salads)
Eggs- so I can easily whip up an omelette with the week’s leftovers.
If you can steer clear from pre-packaged goods, you’ll be good to go!
October 7th, 2009 at 4:12 pm
i buy many 365 products to get excellent value for money. i try to plan ahead. there’s only two of us, so i choose large sizes for savings (and the environment), but then cook larger potions and spice up leftovers.
October 7th, 2009 at 4:13 pm
A friend of mine and I going to start bulk shopping together so we can split the price. I also wait for sales on meats and them stock up so I can spend a little more on good produce.
October 7th, 2009 at 4:17 pm
I follow 2 simple principles:
1. Make everything from scratch. Nothing processed. Not even cereal.
2. Keeping (1) in mind, then plan menu around items on sale.
October 7th, 2009 at 4:17 pm
like most have said already, I buy in bulk, buy fresh produce in season and on sale. Plan meals around what’s on sale this week, buy extra if something is a really good deal. If org. bananas are on sale, I buy a lot of them and freeze them (peel first). I also freeze other fruits to have on hand for smoothies which we have often for breakfast or snacks. I also cook up large pots of soups, beans, rice, or casseroles and freeze smaller portions that can be taken out and heated up for a quick, but wholesome meal. No need to sacrifice health when you don’t have time to cook that way.
October 7th, 2009 at 4:19 pm
I’m so glad you asked!
With just my husband and I we had been averaging about a $70 grocery bill each week. He had come to Whole Foods with me a couple of times and said it was too expensive and that even though the items were undoubtedly better than what we had been getting at other grocery stores he said we would definitely blow our budget if we started shopping there on a regular basis.
Well I’ve proved him WRONG! I’ve begun doing almost all of our shopping at Whole Foods now simply by changing the way we eat and shopping the sales. We now only eat meat once or twice a week instead of every night and I’ve begun cooking more vegetables, lentils, quinoa and grains. We are eating healthier and we are throwing away less, and best of all, we are getting the good stuff!
October 7th, 2009 at 4:19 pm
I love coupons. I always pick up the Whole Foods flyer, but I also subscribed to Mambo Sprouts, joined the Kashi social network, and surf the internet for other coupons and free samples. The best is when you can use a coupon on something that is already on sale. It takes a bit of effort, but it’s worth it on staples like milk, eggs, and cereal.
October 7th, 2009 at 4:22 pm
Great tips! I’ll try to add one I didn’t see.
–Don’t buy prepackaged seasoning mixes such as taco and chili seasonings…there are many great recipes online and you can make these in bulk (store in airtight container) saving packaging waste and money.
October 7th, 2009 at 4:35 pm
Great shoppers think alike! Love the ideas, and here is one more: My husband is a chef who is big on not wasting food. You’d be amazed at how much of a vegetable or fruit you lose by the way in which you cut it. Don’t slice the top off of those strawberries! Just pull off the stem or cut in a circular motion around it. Same for tomatoes! Or, invest in a corer. Also, I don’t take the skin off my carrots, and when I cut a bell pepper I cut very close to the stem and try to trim the pith closely. It also helps if you have a good set of sharp knives!
October 7th, 2009 at 4:46 pm
I also buy in bulk, but my favorite thing is to stock up during sales and watch for coupons on the items I buy most in the Mamba Sprouts circular. I was able to purchase some things today that are normally $1.99 each for .75 each by using this method.
October 7th, 2009 at 4:47 pm
I like to go to manufacture’s websites and print off their coupons.
October 7th, 2009 at 4:48 pm
I only buy food that is on sale. You can always find something that is marked down or advertised for the week, and shopping this way inherently adds variety to your menu.
October 7th, 2009 at 4:54 pm
Although it requires some up front investment, you can easily stretch your bulk dollar by picking up a used FoodSaver off of Craigslist or ebay and also investing in the jar sealer attachment. I purchase huge amounts of bulk from Whole Foods then pop them in quart and/or gallon canning jars and seal them with the FoodSaver jar attachement. They stay as fresh as they were in the store for years with this miracle device!
October 7th, 2009 at 5:01 pm
I buy chicken tenderloins instead of chicken breasts. The price per package is usally about the same, but since the tenderloins are smaller, you get more of them. I’ve been doing it for so long now that a “whole” chicken breast seems too big for me now!
October 7th, 2009 at 5:02 pm
I try to buy what is on sale and seasonal. Rather than buying packaged pre made foods I make homemade with good quality ingredients. I will make, say a large casserole or Giant spicy turkey or chicken chili and freeze it in serving sizes. Then make various items such as use the chili for burritos too. I roast large beets and make them into my own picked or cold or hot. Cook all the rice then freeze it for your own rice in an instant! Fresh Veggie stews or soups. If you can buy it frozen, you can freeze your own too!
October 7th, 2009 at 5:10 pm
In addition to planning meals around in-season produce and store specials, I try to add flavor with small amounts of high-flavor foods, such as herbs, sesame oil, or feta or parmesan, while stretching meals with inexpensive ingredients like rice, pasta or potato. And to cut our grocery bill *and* get my family to eat a little healthier, I generally halve the meat and double the veggies in our favorite one-dish recipes.
October 7th, 2009 at 5:16 pm
I get the good stuff for less by buying the produce that is in season and/or on sale; buying bulk nuts & granola; and buying the 365 brand coffee — $11.99 for 1.5 pounds is the BEST deal around! I know I can trust the 365 brand for other items as well — olive oil, tuna, broth, and can often find these in low-sodium versions, too, which is a realy help when you must buy prepared foods. Thank you Whole Foods for providing healthy alternative groceries!
October 7th, 2009 at 5:17 pm
I make things from scratch, minimize the processed foods. Make my own pizza dough, pasta sauce, yogurt, steamed rice etc. I also go for 365 Everyday value product.
October 7th, 2009 at 5:21 pm
I shop for what I need every week, milk, eggs, etc. but my saving money trick is to make a list ahead of time of ingredients for recipes I want to cook for say…a month, or a specific holiday. It isn’t as hard as it sounds because I live in the Northeast so the four seasons dictate a lot of food choices.
So I take the list with me and buy anything on it that’s on sale in any given week. By the end of a few weeks I have all the ingredients I need for the recipes. What I don’t find that way I will buy when I need it, hence the weekly trips, but I end up saving a lot of money AND I eliminate buying a lot of those ‘impulse’ foods…lol
October 7th, 2009 at 5:42 pm
*shopping the sales and combining sales with coupons whenever possible
*planning meals around the sales
*cooking and baking from scratch instead of buying convenience foods
*less meat, more beans and cheaper veggies
October 7th, 2009 at 5:49 pm
I email the companies of natural and organic products that I like and use frequently, and I let them know how much I love their products. I use that opportunity to ask if they have any coupons available. I usually get a decent stack of coupons in the mail and then become a part of their mailing list. Also, I comb through online printable coupons and take the fliers from the Whole Foods markets that have instore coupons. Also, a natural market in my area has booklets of natural foods coupons that I pick up every month or so. There are ways to get better deals on these natural foods, it’s just a little harder and requires more tenacity.
October 7th, 2009 at 5:57 pm
Coupons, coupons, coupons!In addition to shopping for what’s on sale (and therefore usually in season) I clip coupons for only those products I know I will buy – or try – to get saving on top of savings!
October 7th, 2009 at 5:58 pm
I am really not willing to compromise shopping at Whole Foods, so to get the most for my money, I, first, go through the weekly deals online and I see what meats/poultry/fish are on sale, then I plan meals around them. When I arrive at the store, I go to the meat/fish section first and, then, to the produce section. This way, I am able to plan the meals accordingly and only buy what we need. The night before shopping, I print organic coupons and I try to match them up with sale items to save extra. If I know I use a certain product weekly, I purchase it in a case to get the extra 10% off. I always bring my reusable bags, at .05 a bag, it is a little extra savings! And, I buy a lot of the 365 brand items. They taste great and are much cheaper!
October 7th, 2009 at 6:17 pm
When I’m trying out a new recipe with an ingredient that I don’t normally use, I get the good stuff for less by buying only the amount that I need from the bulk spices or grains. I can always buy more if I like it.
October 7th, 2009 at 6:31 pm
buy bulks items and always use coupons when possible. it pays to buy an extra sunday newspaper if the coupons you need are in it. don’t forget to ask your family and friends for their coupons, most people throw them out!
October 7th, 2009 at 6:31 pm
I’m just getting into buying more organic and with a family of six, that can be challenging. Like others have said, I look for coupons, ask organic food companies to send coupons, use the Whole Foods coupon booklet stacked with a mfg coupon & wait for sales (unless it’s something we really really like). Then I buy lots!
October 7th, 2009 at 6:34 pm
In addition to the obvious, like buying on sale and in bulk, I like to go back to basics and make my own stuff. Instead of buying a couple loaves of bread, buy the ingredients and make a lot more for the same price. Instead of buying canned beans, spend the same amount on dried and get a lot more. Instead of buying boneless, skinless chicken buy less expensive cuts or whole birds and do the work yourself.
It may be a little more effort, but it is worth it and you feel so awesome when you make your first mayo or eat your first homemade hummus!
October 7th, 2009 at 6:41 pm
I buy 365 brand products – they’re a lot cheaper, and yet they still have the quality I’m looking for. I also only buy what I KNOW I can eat when it comes to produce. Not wasting anything is a good way to save money.
October 7th, 2009 at 6:43 pm
Use multiple discounts! Sales plus coupons! Stock up. Freeze what you cant eat to continue to save later, also less trips to the store. Sign up on whole foods e-newsletter. They send weekend deals and other savings. Mambo sprouts also has coupon book in the store. The whole deal has specials with coupons also. The 365 brands taste great and are very reasonably priced. Frozen vegetables are great,reasonable & no waste, just cook the amount you need. Buy yogurt in the large container, not single serve. Sign up at other web sites like Horizon, mambo sprouts, cliff bars, etc. Cook dried beans for pennys, great nutritional value.
October 7th, 2009 at 6:46 pm
Getting the good stuff for less is what its all about in todays economy. I was told that Whole foods was Much more expensive then any store in the area. However on researching and finding out for one self, I discovered that Whole foods has many Values for less, Recently while shopping for spices, I discovered at one of there compeditors was selling 1 1/2 oz of Cardemon for the low asking price of $13.59, another competitor sells it for &10.59, Low and behold Whole foods had it for 4.99 That one Item saved me 9 dollars…Giving me the Best for a whole lot less.
October 7th, 2009 at 6:56 pm
It really requires a number of things:
*Don’t go to the store hungry or you’ll buy more than you intended.
*Buy on sale and when it’s on sale, buy extra
*Buy dry food in bulk instead of prepackaged whenever possible
*Use coupons – especially if that item is also on sale
*The 365 store brand is just as quality as name brand, but costs less
*If it’s something you’ll use in small amounts, consider buying from the prepared foods section. For instance, I like red peppers and red onions, but my roommate doesn’t. So to make sure it doesn’t go to waste, I buy them pre-sliced from the store salad bar and bag them when I get home. I do the same with pre-cooked brisket. It doesn’t make sense for me to spend half a day to cook a brisket when it’s just me eating it once a week. I just buy a half-pound already cooked from the BBQ buffet.
*Buy bagged snacks in larger sizes and use sandwich bags to separate into snack portions.
*Only buy what you’ll honestly use. A bigger package may seem to save you, but if it spoils before you eat it all, then it’s really not a good deal.
*Try to repurpose leftovers. For instance, I make a big pot of no-salt chili once a week. From that, I can also make nachos, tacos, omelettes, mix it with mac&cheese and some corn for a casserole, etc.
October 7th, 2009 at 6:59 pm
Cook dried beans! They are delicious and inexpensive. I cook a big pot and freeze some so I always have some ready for a quick dinner. See Mark Bittman’s How to Cook Everything for some great recipes.
October 7th, 2009 at 7:15 pm
Honestly, I always use coupons from the Whole Deal whenever possible. Sometimes, I’ll even buy extras if the deal is good and I can store the item without it perishing. When beef, chicken or fish are on sale I buy in bulk and have them wrap everything separately. Then I freeze the extras and take them out one at a time to thaw when I’m ready to prepare a meal for myself of my guests. I also check the price of some common items at other stores, and when necessary buy the item wherever the best price is. Whole Foods rocks, but sometimes you have to budget in order to fully enjoy an organic life!
October 7th, 2009 at 7:31 pm
As a dietitian, I consider nutrition a top priority. To save money, I check out the store ads for sales each week. I try to combine the savings with coupons, drastically reducing the costs. When items that I use regularly such as coffee and salad dressing are buy one get one free, I stock up. Also, the 365 brand is awesome, much cheaper than brand name items.
October 7th, 2009 at 7:35 pm
I make a list of every meal for the week and try to plan for meals that have similar ingredients so it cuts down on cost. Buying good foods is the most important but spending my whole paycheck while doing so is at the bottom. I check online specials before heading to the grocery store. Also, when something is on sale that I use alot, like peanut butter, I buy extra when its on sale.
October 7th, 2009 at 7:43 pm
Some of the best tips I have for saving money at the store are buying in bulk and coupons (they’re underrated)
October 7th, 2009 at 7:47 pm
I will often go to various food manufacturers websites for their coupons. For example Organic Valley always has coupons for all their products (cheese, butter, milk) on their website. I just print them out and take them to Whole Foods where I know I can find Organic Valley products.
October 7th, 2009 at 7:56 pm
When bananas go on sale, I buy several dozen and then I FREEZE them. Just defrost for 20 minutes, peel, and they’re ready to eat. Or leave slightly frozen and slice them into cereal — Tastes like a sweet frozen treat…..!
October 7th, 2009 at 7:57 pm
We eat a vegan diet of whole foods-not processed. Lots of home cooking and very little prepared food. This saves us money and we are much healthier too!
October 7th, 2009 at 8:00 pm
One tip I have found to be helpful in buying organic products for less is to buy the brands that aren’t located on the eye-level shelves. Often, if you look on the lower or bottom shelves there are many organic products for a much lower price. Also, in the produce section, buy organic products that are on sales that week. Take advanatage of sales, stock up and freeze what you can, ensuring yourself a savings all year long!
October 7th, 2009 at 8:12 pm
Last week while visiting Washington DC and staying Alexandria VA my girlfriend and I discovered the prepared foods at the Whole Foods Market. Every night we picked up our selection and enjoyed them in the hotel room. It was an excellent value for very well prepared meals. We even took some on our flight home. So while everyone else was eating pretzels, we were enjoying Brie and fresh bread. After arriving home we were excited to learn on the Internet that there was a Whole Foods Market near us. We are planning a picnic tomorrow and guess where we are going for our supplies. Thank you Whole Foods Market.
October 7th, 2009 at 8:22 pm
Honestly people – don’t be scared of dry beans. They are so much cheaper than the canned equivalent and if you just invest the short amount of time to prepare them – you can make giant pots and freeze them in little containers – the same size as….you guessed it a can. For a fraction of the price you can’t pass up this important way to get your protein and nutrients! Plus beans are totally flexible and can be used in all kinds of dishes!
October 7th, 2009 at 8:24 pm
I make gluten free muffins, almond meal,2cups, gluten free baking mix, bobs red mill, 1 cup, 2 eggs, 1 small container of blue agave nectar, 4 large bananas, dried flaked unsweetened coconut, 1 cup, 1 cup chopped walnuts, 1/2 cup canola oil, 1 tbsp vanilla. Bake at 400 for 20 mins or less, check oven temp. delcious, finally a gluten free muffin that looks and tastes like a regular muffin, really yummy, I bake these and serve them to my clients at my Nail Spa in Vista, Calif.
October 7th, 2009 at 8:28 pm
when you buy whole food,not package or can or process,,,you will have your three meals and in your three meals it will be all wholesome a moro,,would be omega 3 eggs,with a fruit,then a handful of nuts for a snack,when lunch comes you have a protein 3-4oz,2cups of veggie,,,,fruit as a snack and the same for lunch just different types,,,,,and when you eat all wholesome food you will not feel need to eat alot of anything esle,,because your body is made to eat this way and it does not crave bad food,,,when you eat junk food ,,your body whats more and more and more because it is not giving your body what it needs and it is nutriment,,,all whole food is nutrition,,,,the whole thing is that it does not cost more to buy in whole food,,then you go to a regular store and go home and eat a whole bag of 4$ chips and your still hungry and go for the ice cream next and next the candy,,,thats $12-$14,,right there,,,,the whole way for 12$ is all three meals and snack and getting all the right stuff and then some,,,,,,no extra weight either….
October 7th, 2009 at 8:30 pm
We have reduced the amount of meat and cheese we cook with, and have increased the number of whole grains, nuts and beans we cook with. Not only is this healthier for us, but it reduces our dependence on animal products. Also, when we do get chicken, I buy the whole roaster bird, and make broth out of the bones and vegetables. Then I freeze the broth in 1-cup servings for later. I feel that none of it goes to waste.
October 7th, 2009 at 8:33 pm
Last week I bought a whole chicken, that was on sale. I boiled it and made two meals. I made chicken soup by adding veggies and seasonig after shredding the chicken. The remaining shredded chicken I used for soft tacos. This was a great value and was multiple meals for my family. These were also healthy, flavorful and lowfat meals with veggies in both.
October 7th, 2009 at 8:39 pm
I use the “ad-match” method to get best price on items that I purchase at Wal-Mart. I make a list of “specials” at other stores (all kinds – pharmacies, chain drug stores, Big Lots, Fred’s, etc) and take it with me to Wal-Mart along with the ads. This saves me money, gets me the best price available in my area, and I don’t have to visit several stores to take advantage of their “specials”.
October 7th, 2009 at 8:55 pm
I buy the “good stuff” for less by:
I buy produce that is in season- this way its fresh, mostly on sale & I reduce the time & money spent to ship this veggies/fruits to my store.
I make a weekly meal plan ( brkfast, lunch, dinner): This way, when I go to the store, I know what to look for, I don’t start putting everything that looks “good” in my cart & save money bc I get only what I need.
I also get the bread & such from the bakery section of the whole foods instead of buying a name brand. Its cheaper & its made fresh.
I also shop sales but I limit myself on 2 items each time so I dont splurge yet get to treat myself.
Its tough but well worth it.
October 7th, 2009 at 9:16 pm
I plan my meals for the week and make a list before I go shopping and TRY to stick to my list. I buy what’s in season and on sale and then cook double portions and freeze half. I also buy store brand whenever possible (we love 365 Everyday Value Products). But the one thing that saves the most for me is taking my lunch to work instead of eating out!
October 7th, 2009 at 9:32 pm
I look for things that are on sale and buy extra even if I won’t need it right away. Building up a food storage this way will save you money in the the long run.
I also buy in bulk which saves money even though I am only cooking for two people. My solution is to make good use of my freezer.
There are lots of things that can be frozen that we don’t usually think of putting in the freezer – cheeses, nuts, seeds, leftover sauces, ripe bananas, shredded coconut, beans, a casserole, cookies, muffins, brownies, bread, or cooked rice, for example.
I divide out smaller portions into plastic freezer bags or reusable containers. I write on the bag what it contains, the date, and the portion (2 cups, 12 oz, etc.) Then there is no wasted food and I can save costs while controlling portions.
When I buy meat, I divide it into smaller portions before I freeze it so it will last several meals. Then when I cook something like chicken, I often shred it because I can make less go a lot further.
Also, cooking from scratch is much cheaper and healthier. Once you start cooking from scratch, you’ll discover that you can cook a large variety of meals with basic ingredients. Try using dry beans instead of canned. Make your own pizza dough. Use powdered milk for baking. Make your own sweet and sour sauce. There are so many possibilities.
October 7th, 2009 at 9:43 pm
I save by planning my meals ahead of time to make the most of my ingredients! Instead of buying a variety of produce that I may or may not go through before they go bad, I pick a few fresh produce products that I know I will work well together and try to incorporate them into all my meals for the week. This means I actually go through all the produce I buy before it expires, and I learn new ways to combine ingredients. Sometimes I just play, or other times I’ll search for recipes on the internet. Bottom line… I’m not as wasteful and I improve my cooking skills!
October 7th, 2009 at 9:49 pm
Three suggestions:
Eat vegetarian.
Go to the store flexible – see what’s fresh and on sale.
Make it yourself – frozen and prepared foods on the natural/organic side are way out of my price range. It’s healthier and easier on the pocketbook to bake up a package of $1.50 tofu (which will feed my husband and me twice) than to buy a packaged, processed food. The same is true for almost everything!
October 7th, 2009 at 10:21 pm
I get the good stuff by doing the usual shopping sales, buying in season, buying in bulk and buying store brand. But I go further by making a weekly menu plan so I don’t impulsive buy and I try to buy and stock up on what I can get the most uses out of. For example, if whole chicken is on sale, I can get four meals out of a chicken so I stock up.
*Roast the chicken
*Shred leftovers and make sandwiches and a chicken curry or chicken salad
*Make stock for a nutritious soup base
When produce goes on sale I also stock up and prep for freezing and canning so when I need it I have it. Also ask the people behind the counters! I get great deals for making bone broths when I ask about soup bones that are not usually put out.
October 7th, 2009 at 10:28 pm
I buy a CSA subscription each summer, then freeze, dehydrate &/or can the excess for use the rest of the year. By doing that & using coupons for as many of the rest of the products(on sale) as I can, I save a great deal of money
October 7th, 2009 at 10:30 pm
I save money by making my 6 month’s old sons baby food purees myself. I buy the fruit or veggies for example apples, peel core and boil them. Then I toss them in the food processor with some of the cooking liquid. Once the mixture has cooled a bit I pour it into ice cude trays and freeze them. I then pop them out into freezer bags and thaw when needed. It’s a great way to avoid spending a fortune on the jars! And I make huge batches that last a long time!
October 7th, 2009 at 11:06 pm
Our family does most of its shopping at Whole Foods much to my delight! However, breakfast is not always a priority with my family due to the time crunch. I try to always have protein bars available, but they are SO expensive. This past week our favorite brand was on sale so I brought two cases. Not only were they on sale AND I saved another 10% for buying in case lots, but there was a coupon in the Whole Foods sale booklet so I saved another $1.00. This made the price well below the superstores’ and grocery stores’ prices.
October 7th, 2009 at 11:24 pm
Make money go farther by using cheaper items and bake home made treats. A package of flour, yeast and salt will last for many meals. Then splurge on high quality, organic pairings such as pears, tomatoes, or fine cheeses.
Generally I would say at Whole Foods it isn’t about saving money. Enjoy the quality and don’t worry about the cost. If you can bake a tasty pie with the freshest ingredients, you can just marry rich!
October 8th, 2009 at 1:24 am
I was laid off from my job in the end of July, and trying to help my boyfriend build his business so we can someday work together (he is a photographer). Although it’s been bad, it’s also been good… but the one thing I just can’t compromise on is my health. And my health is helped most importantly by my food.
One thing I’ve done to save myself (and now my boyfriend) money is to buy things I can make in larger amounts, so I can freeze leftovers or eat them all through the week. Things like meatloaf with beef, pork, and turkey from the meat counter… or the Irish dish Colcannon (potatoes, ham, cabbage)… they all save SO much money compared to eating out. I’ve not only saved myself good money on lunches, but am saving my boyfriend an estimated $40 to $50 on his lunches. We do the same with dinners… making big dinners that have leftovers for other meals. It really can save significant money.
October 8th, 2009 at 2:33 am
I usually don’t buy all organic products in the store to help save money. I also buy from local growers who grow and harvest in an ecological way and the cost is not that high.
October 8th, 2009 at 2:40 am
Invest in a great quality cookbook, or visit your local library for a free one and /or Whole foods website recipe section. Plan your meals for the week off of recipes that you already have the majority of ingredients in the house. Make things for yourself from scratch. Pack a lunch of your own save money and calories and cut down on fast food waste. Plan for left overs, print and use coupon and whole food flyers only for the things you actually need and will eat. It is not a bargain if you don’t use it. Make a grocery list and stick to your list and budget plan. Visit your local farmer’s market while there is still time buy fresh local produce in season and take the time to freeze it or cook it into recipes for future use. Plan ahead, buy items in bulk you would be surprised what you can refill there. Co-op with friends and have a traveling Sunday (or any other night) potuck dinner and make anough that everyone takes home a left over. When shopping in bulk split the cost of the largest package economically possibly so 2 or 3 of you can split the goods and reduce waste of buying smaller sizes. When you are able to sidetrack yourself from eating fast food take the money you would have spent on that unhealthy splurge and put it in a can and save it for “investing” in teh good things to make healthier alternative meals. You can even use it to “splurge” at the whole foods deli on ONE item once a month or so
October 8th, 2009 at 2:47 am
I always look at the clearance area of the grocery store. there is a chain here in nc that carries alot of organic items and good for me not alot of the main stream public is into it so they always have prices slashed 50% on organic and natural products that didn’t sell well or being discontinued. and also going to big lots…I know a weird place to look right? but I have found that checking out their food selection you can find great prices on organic and natural products due to close out… but when I see it I buy it all for it won’t always be there the next time around. all these savings helps me go to whole foods to buy all my meats,fruits,vegs and anything thing else I can’t find for I know whole foods is a place I know I can trust with the rest!
October 8th, 2009 at 4:09 am
If you stock up and buy a lot of one item (for example, a dozen jars of baby food), it’s worth asking if the store offers a discount on a case. The policy might vary by individual store (as I’ve gotten a discount at one Whole Foods market but not another, both in the same local area), but it can definitely get you the good stuff for less!
October 8th, 2009 at 5:53 am
My home has only two people and we live in an apartment with no room for an extra freezer, so buying in bulk and buying extra to freeze don’t work for me (sadly). I stretch my dollar by meal planning in advance (and use the circular in my meal planning), by being adaptable on the brands I use (the same types of things tend to be on the circulars, so by being open-minded about brands I can save more regularly as opposed to waiting for the brand I like), and by making sure I stick to the portion size on packages (this may seem like a no-brainer, but I know a lot of people who really don’t pay attention to portion sizes – by sticking with the portion sizes you eat less, lose weight, and save money by making your food last longer!).
October 8th, 2009 at 7:49 am
In order to get good stuff for less I visit my local farmer’s market. There you can buy great organic product that is in season for incredibly low prices and it never hurts to help your local farmers!
For items I can not find at the market I stop by whole foods. I usually stick with store brand products because they are great products for reasonable prices. If I feel like venturing out and trying something new I compare the price per unit instead of the total price to get an accurate comparison.
Happy Shopping!
October 8th, 2009 at 7:50 am
I plan what we are eating for the week by what is on sale. I also tend to buy the things that we eat a lot of in the large size. I buy the fruit and veggies that are in season, much cheaper this way.
October 8th, 2009 at 8:02 am
In terms of saving money especially at Whole Foods, I always try and buy their 365 brand – the quality and taste are great and I have never been dissatisfied.
I also hate wasted food. I hate throwing things out because we didn’t eat them. I try to only buy what we’re definitely going to eat – esp in terms of fresh produce and breads. I think a lot of people waste money because they throw a lot of stuff out that hasn’t been eaten and has gone bad.
I also buy a larger size of something, esp if it’s on sale. I don’t go out of my way to do so unless something is truly worth it (figure out the unit costs, etc). Sometimes, bigger isn’t better.
October 8th, 2009 at 8:05 am
I try to catch things on special and stock the pantry. I also try to buy what I can at the Farmer’s Market if possible.
October 8th, 2009 at 8:24 am
I always try to buy whats in season that way you can get the “good stuff” at such a better price then if you were to buy it off season. By buying whats in season you can purchase more and freeze for a later use.
October 8th, 2009 at 8:25 am
The best way I’ve found to save money on organic/”good” foods is to do a neighborhood garden. Each family grows large quantities of one or two vegetables in their garden and then all the produce is shared amongst all the participating neighbors. Great way to get good foods, save money & get to know your neighbors.
October 8th, 2009 at 8:35 am
To get the good stuff for less, I use coupons, but I try to combine them with other promotions (when possible). Like a $1.50 coupon off of Kashi cereal with an in-store promotion of buy-one-get-one-free.
I also go for quality over quantity. I realized that I was spending money on snack food that wasn’t very fulfilling. When I stopped buying as much non-nutritious food, I found I could apply some of the money I saved towards higher quality, more satisfying main ingredients.
I also try to work with what’s on sale. One thing I love about Whole Foods is that sometimes Organic “store brand” products are cheaper than non-organic. When anything organic is on sale, I pounce!
October 8th, 2009 at 8:56 am
I am not complete without a bundle of coupons when i buy my groceries. Match the coupons with sales I research, my savings are out-of-control insane! I also migrate towards seasonal produce + fruits since they are normally priced better than out-of-season items.
October 8th, 2009 at 9:04 am
My best advice on how to get the good stuff for less is to shop for seasonal produce & whole foods. You also remember that American’s eat too much, so cut down on how much you purchase. I guarantee that you will save cash & calories!
October 8th, 2009 at 9:47 am
I use the Whole Foods e-newsletter to see what is on sale for the week. I shop when I can on Wednesdays to take advantage of two weeks worth of sales. I also use the coupon books at whole foods and other organic manufacture coupons to plan the grocery shopping.
October 8th, 2009 at 9:51 am
I buy what’s on sale and for items other than meat and produce..I try to match coupons. Organic companies are starting to offer more coupons for their products and its a great way to save and also feel good about eating healthy.
October 8th, 2009 at 10:07 am
One word: Soup! On Sundays, I go through my pantry, fridge and freezer and pull out any “leftover” items including pasta, quinoa, veggies, tofu, broth, canned tomatoes, etc. Throw together in a pot, bring to a boil with seasoning and spices (I always like to throw in a pinch of hot pepper flakes) reduce to a simmer for at least an hour so all the flavors come together and serve with a nice piece of crusty artisan bread. Not only do you have a great, healthy and inexpensive dinner for that night, but chances are you’ll have leftovers for a healthy work lunch or small dinner throughout the week.
October 8th, 2009 at 10:37 am
I plan out the week, make a list and keep to that list! Whenever possible, I go for the 365 brand. I’ve also reduced the amount of meat I eat, which also saves money.
October 8th, 2009 at 10:37 am
I do a variety of things..
1) I get a CSA box – $15 for a BIG box of produce
2) Bulk bins – I try not to buy processed food and buy whole ingredients to make things myself, it requires more work, but its fun, it tastes better, its better for you, and its cheaper.
3) Coupons and Sales. I use coupons (mambo sprouts) and I also go to brands websites to look for coupons – I’ve found pretty good deals! If something is on sale I try to stock up, I might not need it right away, but eventually I will and I will have gotten it for a better price.
4) I also shop at two local coops. One group we get raw dairy, farm fresh eggs, and local honey. Another coop we get Frontier items – both have great prices. It can be time consuming to order and then go pick up your items, but it is very worth it.
5) Grow your own – we don’t have much space to grow, but we have chilies, tomatoes, and herbs, which is fun and rewarding to cook with.
6) Don’t waste. It takes some planning to use EVERYTHING you have before it goes bad, but its worth it. Use the produce before it welts, eat leftovers for lunch, plan, plan, plan. We always freeze fruit before it goes bad so we can use it in smoothies.
October 8th, 2009 at 10:58 am
My strategy for finding value while purchasing groceries is multi-pronged. ~ First, I keep in mind that the money and time I spend acquiring nutritious, whole, organic food keeps us healthier in the short- and long-term, and out of the doctor’s waiting room, and that’s value and peace of mind that money just can’t buy. Second, I’d say that I shop with menus in mind, and always with my basic go-to meals in mind, so that I can plan around sales and stock up (even on things that are not necessarily needed at the moment but that I keep in my pantry or freezer as one of our staples). Third is definitely to note that store brands are worth trying. (In fact, I’m now a big fan of the 365 brand you can find throughout Whole Foods.) You’ll no doubt come across a product that just doesn’t excite you or the family, but – after some trial and error – your efforts are sure to result in products that are just as good as, if not better than, the big-name brands. And while the family’s enjoying the meal, you’ll be enjoying it just a teensy bit more because you know in how many ways your efforts are truly paying off! Fourth is for coupons. I recommend signing up for Whole Foods’ The Whole Deal e-newsletter (which brings tips, recipes, and coupons right to your inbox), finding a good coupon Web site, and scanning the coupons in your local Sunday newspaper. Most of the products promoted with coupons are for stuff I just won’t buy, but coupon hunts can pay off huge rewards. When you come across an item that meets your standards and that you have a manufacturer’s coupon for, and perhaps you even have a store coupon for it (you can use both, you know), and it’s on sale (dare I even hope for buy-one-get-one?!)…well, let’s just say that those moments for me are simply magical and frequently elicit a quick happy dance in the aisle. (Silly, I know, and maybe even a sad commentary on my life, but true joy is true joy wherever you find it!) And fifth, but not necessarily finally – because efforts are ongoing and I’m always learning and incorporating something new – is to buy in bulk as much as you are able. Whole Foods has a great bulk-shopping section where you can find grains, tasty treats, and difficult-to-find items like raw nuts. Bulk shopping also includes using co-op groups. Co-ops are just another way, usually spearheaded by other nutrition- and bottom-line-conscious moms and dads, that I stretch our dollars and work toward better health. ~ Yes, it all takes time and effort. But to sum it up I say to you — Fresh, organic fruit and veggies: x-dollars; bulk shopping, no matter how long it takes to re-pack and use up the items: x-dollars; being a consumer dedicated to healthy and environmentally-responsible manufacturing processes: x-dollars; and health and well being for you and your loved ones: priceless.
October 8th, 2009 at 11:44 am
I use a menu and great budget recipes like the great ones on this site. Taking several recipes that use the same basic ingredients makes purchasing in bulk really work.
I make my own chicken stock after piecing and deboning chickens, using the celery, onion and carrot scraps from other recipes. I make beef stock from the bones of a 7-bone steak and use the meat to make a stroganoff, stir fry or a stew. I cut up organic celery and carrots for my kids to snack on and use the scraps for my stocks. Buying spices and herbs in bulk allows you to save money and get fresher taste for your buck. A large ham may seem a big investment, but when you’ve eater the hame in 5 different recipes and used the ham bone in a pot of white beans purchased in the bulk section of Whole Foods, you are really saving money.
The more you can use all of something (a whole chicken turned into chicken stock plus boneless chicken breast plus stewing pieces) the more you help the environment and your budget. Then you can afford that rare piece of Fair Trade dark chocolate to grate over fresh whipped cream dolloped on your coffee – what a treat!
October 8th, 2009 at 11:50 am
I have a few tricks. When serving my family meat or chicken, I try to incorporate it into a main dish that also has grains, beans and veggies. It is a cost savings (and healthier) because my meat and poultry go a lot further.
Instead of buying “lunch” items we bring dinner leftovers for lunch. Thye are healthier than a sandwich and save money too.
I love the bulk bins and use them to get lots of the foods we go through a lot of at a good savings: brown rice, nuts, dried beans.
By not using processed foods, I feel I have money to spend on higher quality ingredients.
October 8th, 2009 at 11:51 am
• shop the sales
• buy seasonal produce, bulk foods, and store brands
• go vegetarian/vegan!
October 8th, 2009 at 11:55 am
Coupons are great, definitely–but I get the MOST value by volunteering at my local organic produce co-op. A couple hrs every other Saturday morning=a huge bin of fresh, organic, local fruits and veggies for FREE. Puts a HUGE dent in my grocery bill!
Can’t beat that! (search for local co-ops in your area and ask them about volunteering
October 8th, 2009 at 12:35 pm
My wife and I go to local grocery salvage stores. Didn’t even know they existed until recently. They carry loads of organic brands and dirt cheap prices, especially dry goods. We save a ton!
October 8th, 2009 at 12:39 pm
I plan our week based on what’s on sale and stick to it!
October 8th, 2009 at 2:12 pm
I get the best value by buying my favorite organic fruits on sale and freezing them. They last a long time when frozen and I can enjoy fresh fruit all year long with savings. I also shop store ads and buy my favorite natural products in bulk when they go on sale. My biggest way to save without compromising brand names is I will buy one box of my favorite brand natural cereal, and one box of generic cereal and mix them both together. This way I save on cereal, and still get the great taste I love at a great price.
October 8th, 2009 at 2:28 pm
I make sure to plan my meals and make a list before I go to the store to try to limit my splurges on unnecessary items. I also like playing a budget game with myself each week to see if I can get more for my money than I did the week before. Although I know how important it is to try to stick to all foods that are organic/natural, I have found that some weeks I just can’t afford that option. So I started researching which foods are most beneficial in the natural/organic form and that way I can try to get the most bang for my buck.
October 8th, 2009 at 3:02 pm
There are so many ways to save on natural and organic, GOOD QUALITY food! I think one of the greatest ways I have found to save is what I call, “meager-mailing.” This is where you go to company websites that you know you would like a product from, and request some free samples or coupons! I have found that it never hurts to ask, and surprisingly I have been fortunate enough to receive a lot of response! Yay for coupons! Yay for saving $$!
October 8th, 2009 at 3:15 pm
I get the good stuff for less by planning ahead and being conscious of what I already have in my pantry. I start by looking at the sales flyer and Whole Deal newsletter to see what is on sale and/or has coupons. Then, I plan meals for the week to incorporate ways of cross-utilizing products. Leftover grilled snapper from last night might become tomorrow’s fish tacos. Likewise, I cook extra grains, so extra quinoa from dinner works great for a rice/veggie salad that I can take for lunch (one of my favs is a SW salad, with quinoa, black beans, corn, tomatoes, cilantro, avocado, spices….yummy!)
I love the bulk aisle, because I can purchase small quantities (what we can use for the week) and not have a lot of extras cluttering my shelves.
Having an organized refrigerator also helps me know what I have available and what needs to be used first. I freeze foods that I feel I won’t use, such as beans, veggie broth, and canned tomatoes, and go to Wholefoods.com when I need a good recipe idea for an item that needs to be used fast.
The extra time involved in planning ahead is worth the reward of nutritious foods (and not having to read every label!)
October 8th, 2009 at 4:27 pm
I save money by watching for specials on my local Whole Foods Twitter feed. Evanston South in that house, yo!
October 8th, 2009 at 5:02 pm
Well, we are newlyweds on a tight budget – but we have learned better than to sacrifice the quality of our health by eating conventional meat and other cheap food. Because the people who work at Whole Foods actually know what they’re doing, we are able to get organic, grass-fed meat, dairy and eggs – and make it stretch! We buy organic when it makes the most difference – the animal products, thin-skinned produce, and grains – and work to stretch those items with less expensive whole foods. I love cooking and my husband says that I’m the best! We would be so blessed to have a $50 gift card. It would feed us so well! Thanks for this great opportunity. With a recession, you have to decide where your priorities lie – seeing the local Whole Foods just as crowded as always inspires me that we’re not giving up the quality of our health for the sake of money or convenience.
October 8th, 2009 at 6:37 pm
I buy in bulk, and cook large quanties. Make a big pot of veggi soup, eat it a few days and then freeze the rest in individual containers. That way I have ready made meals on hand.
October 8th, 2009 at 7:31 pm
I cook lentil stews with fresh dark greens and vegetables which generates a large quantity of nutritious food for a family of four for under $20 a week.
I purchase directly from an organic farmer at my farmer’s market and from Whole Foods. http://www.nicholsfarm.com/.
I find buying meat, package foods and in bulk is costly. I use to buy in bulk and ended up throwing away things that spoiled.
October 8th, 2009 at 9:28 pm
Stock up when the good stuff is on sale. No, you don’t need 10 boxes of whole wheat, but when is it ever only $1 a box?!?
October 8th, 2009 at 10:08 pm
Oops, I meant whole wheat PASTA.
October 8th, 2009 at 10:09 pm
I get the good stuff by taking advantage of Whole Food Sale information and buying bulk items in the quantities that I need instead of buying a larger pre-packaged amount that ends up being thrown away.
When I find pre-portioned products that are on sale, I call my friends to see if we can split the item. It usually works out wonderfully and we end up making a dinner party out of it!
October 8th, 2009 at 10:16 pm
I look at wholefoods.com first, then I make my shopping list according to the sale items. Some great values every week, 365, madness, truckload, weekly buys, they ALWAYS have the goods you need on sale!
October 8th, 2009 at 10:21 pm
I buy a variety of dried beans from the bulk section like black, pinto,garbanzo,lentils,split peas etc. I love bean soup and make my own from garden grown peppers, onions,garlic, parsley,etc. very inexpensive and very nourishing.
October 8th, 2009 at 10:38 pm
Question: How to get the most value (output) out of organic food by spending less money (input)?
Answer: Select the least expensive food with the most nutritional value.
Example: Select varieties of dark leafy greens with the most iron content. Select varieties of lentils high in protein.
Conclusion: You’ll know the real value of your food if you read the nutritional value labels. The answer to the question was already there on the food itself
October 9th, 2009 at 12:58 am
I get good stuff for less by eating vegetarian-I have several meals a week with beans or tofu, lentils, rice, pasta, canned tomatoes, frozen vegetables, and fresh produce that’s on sale. I make sure to have whole grains, protein and lots of vegetables at every meal, and still spend only $50 a week for meals for both my husband and I. Vegetarian is SO much cheaper than eating meat, and better for the environment. The money I save from not buying meat products I can use to get more organic food.
October 9th, 2009 at 9:03 am
I get good stuff for less by using the sales flier and reading Whole Foods email. Shopping for two, I can focus on quality foods, fresh seasonal produce and healthy flavors. We found some tasty and affordable wines at the Wine & Cheese event. I buy small quantities of special menu ingredients on the bulk aisle – no waste. The Best Stuff for Less is a cup of mango gelatto to top off the shopping experience!
October 9th, 2009 at 10:35 am
I love buying organic and local. Since farmer’s markets started in May I have been buying local produce from them. I then take the produce and either eat it right away or I can or freeze it depending on the produce. When I am cutting up veggies I take the ends that we don’t want to eat freeze them and then make my own vegetable stock out of it once I have amassed enough veggies or when I need it to make soup.
In the stores for meat products I like to buy a roast and then eat that for a dinner then use the left overs for making sandwiches or another meal. Ground meat is great for this. Make a southern style meatloaf for dinner one night then crumble the remains the following night for burritos or tacos.
October 9th, 2009 at 11:01 am
Cook as much as possible from scratch. Make soups in large quantities, and freeze them for later use rather than buying canned soups or prepacked meals/foods. Make your own whole grain breads (tortillas, rolls, pizza crusts), fruit bars, granola bars, etc. Make and freeze these foods in bulk ahead of time. Also purchase berries and such at times when they are in season, then freeze for use later during the months when they are more expensive. Making as much as possible from scratch can save you a ton over buying packaged convenience foods.
October 9th, 2009 at 3:56 pm
I but veggies on sale and usually turn them into soup over the weekend – all kinds! Then, I use individual serving containers and freeze portions so they are ready to go during the week for work! Healthy lunch, and VERY inexpensive! My favorites involve roasted veggies – roasting really helps develop the flavors and adds a lot of depth!
October 9th, 2009 at 6:47 pm
I absolutely live in the bulk section. This is where I find higher quality grains, legumes, nuts, herbs and spices than their packaged counterparts for a fraction of the price. Knowing where my food comes from and cooking it myself is good for my family and good for my pocketbook. I keep an eye on sale and seasonal items, too. Seasonal produce is more delicious, sustainable and often cheaper than non-seasonal goods. I never go to the grocery store hungry and I also generally plan my family’s meals. I do allow for occasional ’splurgy’ items, especially if it’s a healthy item. Organic hemp oil, supergreens, and Weleda face products may seem expensive, but the health and vitality they add to my well being is priceless…and I’m worth it!
October 9th, 2009 at 7:30 pm
We save money by taking time to shop for sales.. and this means shopping without our 4 kids in tow! I comparative shop at several stores, and pick up what is on sale at Whole Foods and store it for future use (dry goods). My boys are GFCF so I make the expensive convenience items from scratch (nuggets, etc) and purchase a few unique items at WF. There are always a few items that are a really good deal, and I try to check for the coupons in KIWI magazine.
October 9th, 2009 at 7:49 pm
I try to buy in bulk things I’m sure to use, I also look for store brands and for fruits and vegetables I buy mostly in season things from a local farmer’s market or co-op. I also try to decide what to buy ahead of time. I can’t afford to buy all organic so I’ll try to get things I’m sure to use all of or what’s on sale.
October 9th, 2009 at 10:36 pm
We have bought the 365 brands for years. As our children have grown up on the food, they are much healthier and stronger as young adults. The extra cost, if there really is one after all the additives and preservatives are missing, is well worth it to see the glow of health in your children’s faces. Just think how much fast food restaurants would have cost with 5 children. We appreciate Whole Foods and are thankful for years of shopping!
October 10th, 2009 at 7:11 am
I find the best way to shop organic is to only buy 2-3 cuts of meat/fish a week. Buy larger quanities from items on sale that week. I divide and freeze or just referate depending on the item.
Next I buy similar fruits/vegies/sauces that are good for all cuts.
The real key is to make a menu of all meals. This way you can combine what you have bought and ONLY buy what you need.
I do shop a couple organic stores depending on what I need and keep a price list of everyday items like canned/frozen/bottled items.
I am able to buy 90% organic.
October 10th, 2009 at 11:43 am
I buy my beans in crate amounts, then I get a 10 percent discount!
October 10th, 2009 at 11:52 am
I believe a little planning goes hand in hand with saving money and ensuring what you get is going to be organic and wholesome. Eating in season is another winner for budget and health.
October 11th, 2009 at 8:20 pm
Our children suffer from food allergies and sensitivities and must take lunch and snacks to school and out anytime we leave the house. I portion out any purchased snacks myself rather than paying for preportioned packages. I can prep snacks for the week using waxed bags and stickers in under thirty minutes and save almost forty percent. I also buy 100% juice in the larger size, and fill reusable drink containers (or reused water bottles) 2/3 of the way full and freeze them for school lunches. The kids have cold juice at lunch for less than juice boxes, and we haven’t added quite as much to the landfill.
October 11th, 2009 at 8:24 pm
I agree that Bulk items will definately save you money and go longer. I also get the goods for less by, sticking to my list and buying exactely what I need. When you have all of the menus planned for the week it is simple and quick to know exactely what you need and it saves alot of money. And of course don’t forget to check the sales flier before you shop!
October 11th, 2009 at 11:35 pm
I know it cost a little more to shop at Whole Foods Market, but I am saving on medical expenses. By eating fresh and organic, I see fewer illnesses and/or I am not fatigued from eating packaged foods that are loaded with additives and preservatives. I had rather pay to have fresh, organic and/or natural products than to have buy foods and goods that lack in nutritional value because they have traveled so far or have been sitting on around way too long.
My budget is to pay little or nothing for medical costs and pay for the substinence and my products my body need and yearn for…fresh fruits and vegetables…..uuuuummmm.
October 12th, 2009 at 11:42 am
First of all, educate myself on what the “good stuff” is and purpose in my heart to purchase the good stuff to the best of my families financial ability. From there, I look for low-cost seasonal foods that will couple as both delicious nutrition and good for you body medicine. This many times will mean time and energy with food companies my family enjoys, requesting coupons, joining email list,saving sales ads, joining coupon clubs and finally stocking up when prices are really low.
October 12th, 2009 at 4:37 pm
I review the weekly and monthly specials and make a monthly meal plan accordingly and put it on my calender. Creating a meal plan really cuts back on purchasing more than I need. Plus it makes dinnertime hassle-free since I don’t have to think about what to make, I just look at my meal plan. That helps a lot, especially with little ones in the house.
I also make a lot of breads and baked goods from scratch. (It is a great activity with the kids, too). That also helps out in saving.
October 13th, 2009 at 11:06 am
I begin by scanning the Whole Foods ad. It provides many delicious seasonal specials, some I incorporate into the weeks menus and other staples,walnuts, poultry etc, I freeze to be used later.I do not stockpile fresh items,produce, breads, dairy, because Whole Foods ad changes frequently and provides great balance and variety.
I always check for staples, canned items, bulk, that have manufacture coupons and often may be on sale as well.
I love eating foods that are superior in quality and process because I shop carefully.
October 13th, 2009 at 1:08 pm
I am so blessed to live in an abundant food shed! Buying seasonal, local products is saving me lots of money in the long run. Buying sustainably uses less energy and eating yummy food keeps our hearts healthy and happy.
October 15th, 2009 at 9:36 am
Hi! I do not shop without coupons and a canvas bag. The coupons for savings and the canvas bag to get some cents off but more importantly not to waste. The coupons I get mostly online from searching mom blogs and the manufacteur or store.
December 18th, 2009 at 9:34 pm