How to shop at Whole Foods without spending your Whole Paycheck
Do you shop at Whole Foods? If you are like me you more than likely have the opinion that it costs a fortune to shop at Whole Foods. I will be honest with you I have ALWAYS called it Whole Paycheck. Did you know that Whole Foods is the only organic certified grocer in the United States. I decided to visit my local Whole Foods in Mason, OH and do some in store research and see if I could get out of the store without spending my whole paycheck.
How to shop at Whole Foods:
What I find at Whole Foods is that they offer anything from value items to the $40 jar of honey. So it can be shocking when you shop at Whole Foods because you see expensive items on the shelf. By utilizing these strategies and by focusing on the One Day Deals, Whole Deals Coupons, Sure Deals and the 365 Everyday Value® product line it is actually possible to leave Whole Foods without spending your Whole Paycheck!
One Day Deals – Every Friday from open to close Whole Foods offers a deal good for one day only. Often times it is a meat or seafood deal and sometimes a cheese deal, however it varies each week. This is a stockpile time each Friday because not only is the price great it is also the quality standards that makes it such an amazing deal. Whole Foods carries meats with no antibiotics/hormones and that are never caged, crated or crowded.
Whole Deal Booklet is published every 2 months. This booklet is full of store coupons that can be STACKED with manufacturer coupons. The Whole Deal is available both in store and online. What is nice is that you don’t have to have a store coupon for each item that you purchase. One coupon can be used for multiple items in the same transaction! There are NO limits to the number of coupons that you can redeem per transaction. You can print online or preview online and then clip once you get to the store (which is what I do). The Whole Deals Book features budget friendly recipes, meal planning ideas and money saving tips in addition to the coupons.
Sure Deals – In addition to the Whole Deal Booklet there are sure deals that are also on sale. Always check the sure deals online before visiting the store.
You can also find coupons in our FREE coupon database.
Ibotta – By using this app you can save even more at Whole Foods. Simply download this app for FREE and then when you make qualifying purchases you can put cash in your pocket with every shopping trip. Download the free app from Ibotta.com.
365 Everyday Value® – Whole Foods Brand helps you save every day; it’s the broadest selection of natural and organic products at the best prices. They are priced low to save you money and this even meat, dairy and health and beauty items! It is a great way to save on Organics. I am a huge fan of this product line!
Volume Discounts – You can get discounted pricing on many items is when you buy a full case or more. Get the details for your particular store at their customer service desk and by looking on the sales tags. It is a 10% off savings and you can mix and match. So for example when purchasing body wash you can purchase a variety of scents.
Bulk Bins – Purchase grains, oats, flours, herbs and tea in bulk. Save on the price because you are not purchasing the packaging. It is priced per oz/lb. A tip is that you do the opposite of the name. If you need 1/2 tsp of dried cilantro you can go get 1/2 tsp of dried cilantro instead of buying the entire bottle of dried cilantro. A great way to save money!
Price Match – Whole foods will price match. They price match the same size product with a current sales ad or picture of the product with sales tag (that you take with your phone) and show them.
Hot Deals Flyer – Select items on sale for the week. This changes weekly and is available both online and on a sales flyer. On average it includes around 15 items including fresh produce, meat and other stockpile items. These are products that are on sale and at a stockpile price.
Unadvertised Deals – Whole Foods offers both bi-weekly and monthly unadvertised deals. You can find these when you look for the sales tags.
Whole Body – You can often find additional savings in the whole body section of your store. Both coupons and rebates with these offers hanging on the neck of the product (hang tags) or on tear pads.
Build a Meal – $24.99 all week which includes one entrée and two sides for a family of four. Just heat and serve.
Sales Cycle – Prices do cycle at Whole Foods. If you want the sales cycle and match with coupons you can save money. Whole Foods do not make Manager’s Specials because they donate items to local food pantries. If you do find a clearance item which is not often, you can use coupons. Groupon – Watch for deals. Recently we saw a $10 Whole Foods Gift Card on Groupon for only $5. A great way to save at Whole Foods! You can use this coupon to put FREE food in your grocery cart.
Kids Eat Free – On Wednesday from 4-9 pm kids eat free when a parent purchases a $6.00 meal. There is no limit to the number of children who eat free with the paying adult.
Half Pint Kids Club and Free Events – Be sure to check your local Whole Foods Event Calendar. There are so many free and inexpensive educational opportunities. It is a great resource for your family.
Subscribe and Follow – Join the Whole Deals email club to get your stores newsletter via email. You will also get an email with the One Day Sales and other unadvertised sales plus exclusive coupons emailed to your inbox. I would also suggest following your local store on Facebook and Twitter for additional sales, giveaways, savings and specials.
Product Guarantee – Whole Foods offers a product guarantee. If you purchase a product that does not meet your satisfaction you can exchange it for the full product value. I love this especially when purchasing organic, natural and gluten free products. There is no concern about trying a new brand when you purchase it at Whole Foods because they will refund your money if you are not satisfied. That is a great thing when trying a new gluten free product for sure!
Bring Your Own Bags and Save – Whole Foods offers a $0.05 discount for each reusable bag that you use at checkout. They also offer the $0.05 discount for a reusable container for baked goods (only cookie table and pastries, not actual cakes). The only thing is that you need to make sure if they are buying something by weight, that they know the weight of their container. We hope these tips help you save big at Whole Foods and allow you to NOT spend your Whole Paycheck!
Whole Foods Market Global Coupon Policy
- A store coupon and a manufacturer coupon can be combined on one item.
- When the value of the coupon exceeds the value of the product no cash back is given.
- Coupons are never doubled or tripled.
- All types of coupons are accepted with the exception of those that are obviously photocopied.
- Competitor coupons are not accepted with the exception of Michigan stores in Midwest.
- Case discounts can be combined with coupons.
- If there is a BOGO FREE promo, one coupon can be used for the full price item.
- All regions will allow Whole Deal coupons to be combined with manufacturer’s coupons.
- Team Member discounts may be used in conjunction with all Whole Deal coupons.
- Regions will override printed guidelines when necessary for customer/guest satisfaction.
Prices and sales vary from Region – The Cincinnati and Mason stores are based out of Maryland. You can view the regions.
Whole Foods Articles:
10 Most Popular Whole Foods Brands Products
How to Select, Store and Cut a Mango
How to shop at Whole Foods without spending your Whole Paycheck
Farm Raised VS Wild Caught Fish Myth Busters
Stockpiling 101
- How Does Price Matching Work?
- What is on sale in February?
- How to Understand the Grocery Sales Cycle
- Stockpiling – Preparing for Natural Disasters or Emergency
- Stockpiling 101 | Stockpiling For The Holidays™
- How Do I Start Stockpiling?
- Stockpiling Tip :: Look for Coupons on Packages
- 10 Items To Stockpile
Melissa is a football and soccer mom who has been married to her best friend for 24 years. She loves sharing recipes, travel reviews and tips that focus on helping busy families make memories.
Thanks Melissa! I did not know all that!
You are welcome 🙂
We always do kids eat free! I am a huge fan of the bulk bins!
They are both great features that Whole Foods offers!
Thanks for the tips Melissa! We will have to try them out next time we’re up at REI and hit Whole Foods in Rookwood.
Thanks Justin! Here is to hoping we get a Whole Foods in NKY too!
I so needed this on how to shop at Whole Foods without spending your Whole Paycheck! I feel like I could buy a small house with the money I spend there. Thanks, Melissa!
You are welcome!
I’ve done a little shopping at Whole Foods in the past, and I know for friends that eat organic or vegan, this chain offers great choices for them. I do like their bulk bins for some of my bread/baking flour purchases as well as some of their spices. Plus they offer great sushi they make right on site!
Oh yes, they have the best sushi! I love their bulk bins too! I love how you can buy any amount! I have purchased literally 1/2 tsp of a spice before!
Great post! I did not realize they had a deal every Friday. We only eat organic meat, so that is valuable information!
Thanks Michelle! Yes it is a great way to stockpile organic meat!
These are awesome tips on saving money while shopping at Whole Foods. I always leave there thinking I need a loan. I do love their bulk bins!
Hopefully some of these money saving tips will help you on your next trip!
makes me want to check it out! sharing too!
Thanks for sharing Heather!
I take advantage of the volume discount by buying my favorite flavor of KIND Healthy Snack bars by the case. I love the local stores activity in social media, too!
I love the case discounts too!
This is great information for shipping at Whole Foods. Because it isn’t exactly local I love these tips to make the best and most bang for my buck kind of trip!
Thanks Steph! I always take a cooler 🙂
Thanks for sharing – I rarely visit Whole Foods because I usually get about a weeks worth of groceries for what I would spend in 2 weeks – sometimes 3.
I signed up for their newsletter so I can keep an eye on deals. Thanks for sharing!
If you watch the sales and coupons you can really do well!
What kind of savings is a “$5 off of a $10 purchase” coupon if you have to pay $5 for it? Just saying…. Keep the $5 and save the hassle cause you’re spending it either way you look at it….. I do love Whole Foods and am so happy they’re going to be building one closer to Dayton. It used to have to be a planned event to drive all the way to Mason to shop there.
No, you are saving $5.00 by purchasing the Groupon. That will purchase meat, milk or other necessities! It is a great deal when you find a Groupon for Whole Foods. The $10 voucher (coupon) only costs $5.00.
We love Whole Foods, especially the kids eat free and the half pint kids club!
Kids Eat Free an the Half Pint Kids Club are great!
Thanks for these great tips! You forgot to mention though that you can get 5 cents off your total purchase with each reusable shopping bag you bring in.
Thanks! I have updated the post!
I live in mason! I found you on pinterest. Small world! I have always avoided whole foods because of the cost but I might have to stop in after this post.
P.S. I have a honey lady in Lebanon if you would like her info
So glad you found us! I have one here in NKY 🙂
They offer the bag discount not only on reusable shopping bags but on ANY reusable container you bring in! Mesh produce bags, cloth bags for bulk items, jars at the deli, meat & seafood counters & for peanut butter. I even use my jars for the cookies from the bakery! You may get some funny looks but it all adds up to save you money AND reduce waste!
Thanks!!
I have found that the bulk products at Whole Foods are great deals, especially the bulk raw, local honey. It is by far the cheapest organic/quality honey option. I go there specifically to buy it.
I agree! Thanks!
I love Whole Food ! This is very helpful tips ! thank you for sharing !
You are welcome!
Great tips! Thank you!
You are so very welcome Theresa!
Wow, love the 1 day deals and price matching….all good infor. To know about Whole Foods. Thank you now when I head to Indy next I can check out all this great stuff. And know how to be able to shop.
You are welcome!
Thanks for the review! Lots of helpful info!
You are welcome – I hope this helps you save big at Whole Foods!
Great, they take coupons; i would have a very difficult time saving money in this store if I shopped there; too many great things to try and buy.
Yes and you can stack coupons at Whole Foods! Even better!
This is a good article. I have found that by utilizing the tips you have listed, and being aware, and only buying what is on sale, etc., you can do pretty good. Also, I have come to appreciate the fair trade concepts and rating systems, etc., and sometimes I think the little extra is worth it, also, if they are good to employees and contribute much. I do see many people who routinely spend a huge amount, they just buy whatever they want without paying attention to prices, coupons, sales, etc., if they can afford it, and to them it isn’t worth it, that is their call. But I think those people have caused the general public to perceive the store as the place that will take your whole paycheck, which can happen at any store nowadays.
You are right Rosie! I think Whole Foods gets a bad wrap that they take your whole paycheck. Now that stores are no longer doubling I find that can easily be the case at every store. I like that at Whole Foods I am getting quality product for the price I pay.
They are very expensive and that’s why I don’t get to shop there very much, my daughter actually picks things up for me there. I didn’t know that they have One Day Deals or Price Matching there. Now maybe we can shop there a little more.
I hope it helps you save money at Whole Foods.
Thanks for this awesome list! I regularly shop at Whole Foods and didm;t know about some of these ways to cut costs 🙂
So glad we can help you save money at Whole Foods!
This is a great reminder for me on where to look and how to get the most bang for my bucks at whole foods.
You are welcome! A great way to save at Whole Foods!
As someone on a tight budget, these tips are extremely good to know.
Thank you! Every penny you can save helps!
I love that you can use as many coupons as you want! My local stores are starting to put limits on how much you can save and how many coupons you can use. Dumb!
coriwestphal at msn dot com
What a huge bummer! Make more transactions 🙂
Thank you so much for all of the wonderful tips for shopping at whole foods! This is a great article.
Thank You!
It’s always great to read such helpful information. Thank you!
You are welcome! 🙂
We already shop from their bulk bins (we try to use as little disposable plastic packaging as possible), but we do buy things like jam and tomato sauce/crushed tomatoes, so the volume discount is good to know about! Thanks 🙂
You are welcome! The bulk bins are great for the environment!
I can’t wait for a Whole Foods to be built or put in an existing structure in or near Surprise, AZ.
That is exciting!
These tips are amazing. I look forward to putting them to use!
Thanks!
Oh, how this makes me wish our closest store wasn’t 3 hours away. I love all of these tips and info! Next time we make our drive there, I’ll keep all these in mind!! 🙂
Take a cooler! 🙂
Thank you! These are great tips!
You are welcome!
Thanks!
You are welcome!
This is awesome, thank you!
You are welcome! 🙂
Our nearest WF is almost 2 hrs away but looking forward to a visit!
Take a Cooler 🙂
I have to confess. The bulk bins and produce section are my weak spots.
Love the bulk bins at Whole Foods!
We love shopping at Whole Foods, especially for their products, Fish, bulk section, and the fact that they carry Snowville Milk for a lower price than most of the area grocers.
Thanks for the great tips!
I love shopping at Whole Foods especially their 365 products.
Me too! They are my favorite!
This is so informational, I just HAD to pin this!
Thanks for pinning it!
I think I can now go into Whole Foods without being intimidated!
That makes me smile!
What a great set of savings ideas for Whole Foods! Their bulk bins are wonderful, especially for ingredients you only need a little bit of. I also like that you get a credit for using your own bags (good for you, good for the environment). I didn’t know that you can stack coupons or that Whole Foods does price matching. Helpful info! Thank you!
So glad we can help you save money at whole foods!
I make a monthly to Whole Foods and have found that Coffee and olive oil are better deals than at local grocery stores! And we definitely make use of the bulk bins! Great tips!
Thank you! I agree the olive oil is a great price!
Thanks for all these helpful tips. I do try to use coupons when possible and I spend tons of money when I visit there monthly. I try to set a limit, but my daughter and I do have to visit their vegan ice cream bar!
Yes, setting a budget is a great tip!
SO helpful, especially since I’m a college student shopping on a college kid’s budget 🙂
Glad we can help!
This is a very helpful post and I learned a lot.
Thank you! We are so glad we can help you save at Whole Foods!
I love Whole Foods, but I don’t shop there very often due to expense. Maybe now I can shop there more often.
I hope it helps!
Wow….lots of good advice. I’ve gotten some great deals at Whole Foods since I found out they allow coupon stacking, but didn’t know about some of these other resources. Thanks!
You are welcome! Coupon Stacking really helps you save at Whole Foods!
Thanks for the tips, especially about the reusable shopping bags!
You are welcome!
These are such fantastic tips! I didn’t know that Whole Foods took coupons and would match prices. Thanks!
You are welcome! I hope these tips help you save!
Great post! I’ve always way overspent there and now I feel like I can shop there for at least some items. Thank you!
Awesome! That is what I hoped for!
Buying Whole Foods brands helps to stretch your shopping $$
Love the 365 Brand!
We love shopping at Whole Foods, but unfortunately, there isn’t one within an hour’s drive from us. When we do venture to one, we usually just buy what we want. It’s nice to see we could be saving money (or at least making it go further!).
Yes, you can get more for your money!
Great tips! Thanks so much!!
You are welcome!
This is all great to know, I had no idea that they were affordable!
You are so welcome!
I didn’t know they took coupons either! Fantastic!
Yay! Glad you found out from us!
Thanks for the helpful tips – especially price matching!
You are so very welcome! It really helps you save at Whole Foods when you price match!
Great post. Been a big fan of Whole Foods for years. If you sign up, you can get emails on Thursdays for Friday Special that are usually deeply discounted item. I have received lots of discounts on Fridays.
Yes! A great tip!
How to shop at Whole Foods without spending your Whole Paycheck: I needed this! I love to shop there but just can’t seem to figure out how my total ends up being so high each time. Thank you for the help!!
You are welcome!
We just started shopping there on a regular basis. Love the staff and that we can find exactly what we are looking for and in the amount we need.
Thanks Sherryl!
I have heard only good things about Whole Foods, but sadly we don’t have one in the area. Wish we did though. Thanks for linking up to the Bloggers Brags Pinterest Party. I’ve pinned your post to the Bloggers Brags Pinterest Board
Thanks Tammy! I hope you get one soon!
Another great tip is to make sure you keep an eye on what the shelf said the item should cost. If it ends up ringing up for more, they give you that item free!