Excerpt: Whole Foods
There’s really no reason to call Whole Foods Market “Whole Paycheck.” It’s actually quite simple and common to get great prices there. In fact, I often find products at the same cost—if not cheaper than—Trader Joes, big box markets (including Walmart) or the farmer’s market. Plus, you can’t beat their selection of delicious organic, vegan products. They often run one day deals, which can include discounts of at least 25-50 percent off products. Pay attention to signage in your local store and subscribe to their newsletter and/or social media accounts to stay in the loop.
The easiest way to find great deals at Whole Foods is to pick up a copy of “The Whole Deal,” which is published every other month and is available in stores and online. Inside you will find $50+ in coupons, 10+ recipes, meal plans under $5 and money saving tips. Just look past the products and recipes involving animals or use a plant-based substitution. You can also visit the “More For Less/Whole Deal” section of the store’s website to print as many coupons as you want!
Few people realize that Whole Foods employs Healthy Eating Specialists, who are there to answer customers’ questions about the foods that they offer, assist them in making the healthiest choices and suggest nutrient-rich recipe ideas. It’s like having a free consultation or shopping trip with a nutritionist!
In most cases, it’s not extremely cost effective to do your entire shopping at Whole Foods, especially if you’re buying packaged products and specialty items. These items are mainly responsible for the reputation “Whole Paycheck” and are where the biggest markups happen.
It’s important to mention that not everything sold at Whole Foods is organic, non-GMO or healthy. Many people believe that the store’s high prices reflect products curated for optimal health. Unfortunately this isn’t entirely true. Be sure to check the ingredient lists.