How to Grocery Shop at Whole Foods on a Budget

This week, I stepped into a store that I never thought would be a part of my weekly budgeting grocery hauls. Recently a Whole Foods Market opened up near my apartment so this Sunday I grabbed my favorite reusable grocery bags and walked one mile north to check out the newest grocer in the neighborhood. 

If you know nothing about Whole Foods, you’ve probably at least heard of its nickname “Whole Paycheck”. This supermarket chain has a reputation for being ultra pricey, and it can be, but here’s the deal. Basically everything I bought was more expensive than the prices listed on my Budget Grocery Price List, but by avoiding the fancy smoothie station and by following my usual grocery plan – choosing my food based on the best prices, not on my wants or impulses – I was totally able to walk out of Whole Foods with only spending $70 for a week’s worth of groceries for two!

What I Liked About Shopping at Whole Foods

• Quality. It was obvious to me that the quality of most of the produce and meat was much higher than many of the other grocers near me.
• Variety. So many choices! Unlike Trader Joe’s where I went shopping two weeks ago, Whole Foods has tons of options.
• Clean Labels. I was so impressed with how easy it was to find packaged foods with simple and short ingredient labels. I picked up crackers made from just whole wheat and salt and the olives I bought only had water and salt added to them!
• Atmosphere. And of course, shopping in Whole Foods is just so nice. With a full on deli, coffee shop, and even a wine bar, shopping in a store this pretty makes grocery shopping seem so much more fun.

What I Disliked About Shopping at Whole Foods

• Prices. All the prices were slightly higher, even on conventional food.
• Distance. The closest Whole Foods is one mile from me as opposed to my regular store which is right across the street.

How to Grocery Shop at Whole Foods on a Budget

1. Avoid the fancy wine bar (… and smoothie bar… and olive bar… and coffee bar).

These may make it feel like you’re having a whole new grocery shopping experience, but their cost will add up quickly.

2. Buy what’s the best price, not what your impulses or habits tell you to get. 

I usually buy apples, but peaches were cheaper at Whole Foods this week, so that’s what made it into my cart.

3. Check out the bulk bins.

Not only are many of these items cheaper than their pre-packaged counterparts, you can also buy in smaller quantities, saving you money!

4. Shop the store brand “365 Everyday Value”.

Like most stores, Whole Foods’ store brand label is typically cheaper than name brands.

5. Pick up an in-store coupon booklet. 

These are usually right by the front door or at the customer service counter. Are there any coupons you can use?

6. Read through the circular.

Just like the coupons, Whole Foods has its weekly ad near the front of the store. See what’s on sale before starting to shop!

7. Use rebate apps.

Both Ibotta and Checkout 51 offer cash back on groceries at Whole Foods. And you can use them together to stack savings on the same shopping trip!

8. Bring your own bag.

For each reusable bag that you bring, you get $.10 off your bill (or you can donate it to charity!). It may not be much, but it’s still a savings.

Here are my favorite reusable bags. They are a little bit expensive, however, they have lasted me for over 6 years, hold up to 40 pounds per bag, and are SO CUTE!

Overall, I was pleasantly surprised by my first full grocery haul shopping experience at Whole Foods. I was expecting it to be much harder to stay within my $70 budget than it was. I definitely plan on shopping here again. Read on to see what I bought!

Clean Eating at Whole Foods (on a budget!)

Produce

• Blackberries $2/6oz
• Grapes, Organic Red Seedless $1.98/lb ($3.29 total)
• Peaches, White $1.99/lb ($3.70 total for 5 large)
• Bananas $.67/lb ($1.03 total for 5 medium)
• Lemons $.79 each ($.79 total for 1 large)
• Avocado $2.00 each ($2 total for 1 large)
• Tomatoes, Organic Grape Heirloom $2.50/pint (I weighed mine at home and actually got a full pound for $2.50!)
• Onions, Organic Yellow $3.99/3lb bag ($3.99 total for 7 large)
• Kale, Organic Red $2.99 each ($2.99 total for .75lb bunch which equals $3.99/lb)
• Lettuce, Organic Butter $2.99/lb ($.84 total for 1 medium head)
• Peppers, Hatch $1.49/lb ($.16 total for 1 large)
• Peppers, Green Bell $1.27/lb ($1.51 total for 2 large)
• Cucumbers $1.49/lb ($1.19 total for 1 large)
• Garlic, Organic $5.99/lb ($.60 total for 1 bulb)

Meat

• Chicken Thighs, Organic Boneless/Skinless $5.99/lb ($6.41 total)
• Ground Beef, 100% Grass Fed $8.99/lb ($5.53 total)
• Pork Sausage, Spicy Italian $5.99/lb ($6.11 total)

Dairy & Refrigerated

• Greek Yogurt, Organic Wallaby Plain Lowfat $5.99/32oz tub
  • Ingredients: organic cultured pasteurized nonfat milk and cream
  • Note: I usually opt for full fat dairy products, but picked up this 2% tub because it was on sale and whole wasn’t available
• Milk, Organic 100% Grass Fed Organic Valley Grassmilk Whole $5.29/half gallon
  • Ingredients: organic non-homogenized grade A milk
• Cheese, BelGioioso Auribella $6.99/lb ($4.12 total)
  • Ingredients: cultured milk, enzymes, salt
• Eggs, Certified Humane Cage Free Phil’s Fresh Eggs $2.99/dozen

Pantry

• Chia Seeds, Organic $16.99/lb in bulk bins ($.85/.05lb total)
• Oatmeal, Organic Old Fashioned $1.69/lb in bulk bins ($.58/.345lb total)
• Cornmeal, Organic Yellow Polenta  $1.99/lb in bulk bins ($.66/.33lb total)
• Whole Wheat Crackers, Everyday 365 Value $2.69/7oz box
  • Ingredients: whole wheat, salt
• Black Olives, Everyday 365 Value $1.99/6oz can
  • Ingredients: olives, water, salt

Total Spent: $70.76

Do you have any tips for shopping at Whole Foods on a budget?

Don’t shop at Whole Foods? Check out these stores!

Clean Eating on a Budget at Target

Clean Eating on a Budget at Trader Joe’s

Clean Eating on a Budget at Costco