Whole Foods Market

Whole Foods is a grocery store that specializes in natural and organic foods. Some of the gluten free items are marked with a little green sign, but there is a list at customer service with ALL of their gluten free items.
At first glance, it looks like it'd be a lot more expensive to shop there. And honestly, most things can definitely be found cheaper at Walmart. However, you must compare apples to apples. A lot of it is more expensive because there are no pesticides, unnatural preservatives, antibiotics, etc. I recently took their Value Budget Tour, which I highly recommend! Here are some of the tips I learned, but keep in mind that a few of these may vary among different regions.

1. At Whole Foods, remember that Value comes before Budget, which means you'll always get good quality.

2. Look for the yellow signs because those are the sale items. New weekly specials start Wednesdays, but some items will not be on the "Weekly Specials" list because the sale runs a couple of weeks or maybe even a month.

3. Produce at its highest quality is also at its lowest price because that's when it's "in season" and at its freshest.

4. The red "Don't Be Fooled" signs mean they won't be beat by anyone on the everyday low price for that particular item.

5. The staff will cut any produce or bread for you to taste. Also watch out for the tasting stations throughout the store. I got to try some delicious smoked salmon spread and chicken salad!

6. Whole Foods does not give rainchecks, but they will take your name and number to call you when the item comes in.

7. Buy large value packs if you have room at home for bulk items or have people you share/swap food with.

8. Buy 6 wine bottles, get 10% off each bottle.

9. Check out the Whole Value Meals in the cooler section. They feed 4 people for $14.99 and menus change every 2 weeks. Meals include an entree pack, salad, and dressing.

10. Buy only the amount you will use. If food goes to waste, that's money you're throwing out. Cheese and meat can be divided into whatever size portions you need. The nut butter station, nut/seed/other bulk station, olive bar, and salad bar allow you to get whatever amount you want.

11. Look for the 365 brand. It is Whole Food's own brand, and will be the cheapest throughout the store. It's not always organic, but is always natural.

12. Use manufacturer coupons if you have any. Whole Foods are also beginning to distribute their own store coupons.

13. Take the Value Budget Tour and enjoy the goodie bag that is given at the end! It includes a few great products to try (full size!), coupons, and tips.