How to Save Money Buying Healthy Food

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Let's be honest. I love Whole Foods. From the neatly lined produce to the wonderful scent that envelops you when you walk through the doors, I love every moment I am in the store. I ask for Whole Foods gift cards when family ask me what I would like for my birthday or Christmas gifts. And to be honest, I have even checked their job openings to see if there would be an opportunity for me to work there. I am currently a stay at home mom, but my youngest will be heading off to middle school next year, so I thought I would eventually find a part time job to keep me busy during the day. Their motto to support the earth and its people speaks volumes to me. But I digress…..because my feelings for Whole Foods never used to be like that.

A few years ago was when I began researching the food industry and realized that I have to take the health of myself and my family into my own hands, I knew I could walk into Whole Foods and feel safe. I was safe from the chemical preservatives with acronym names like MSG, BHA and BHT; safe from artificial colors that make everything it touches look like a Technicolor dream; and safe knowing many of the companies that make the kind of food within this store's walls also practice ecological responsibility. But every time I walked into the store, I would walk out angry. I was angry because I knew this was the food that I needed to feed my family, but I couldn't afford it.

But then I came across a workshop at my local Whole Foods store that taught consumers how to save money shopping at Whole Foods. How could this be? Are they showing me how to spend less money in their store? Well, I signed up promptly, called my best friend and invited her to attend with me. The class was taught by Jennifer Windler. Her blog, www.healthylifedeals.com , spotlights deals for Whole Foods, Trader Joes, Target, and local stores in the St. Louis area, as well and notifying you of online deals and coupons. During the 2-hour class, we learned so many things from her, such as:

1. Understanding coupon lingo.
   
2. How to save money at Whole Foods even if you didn't have coupons
   
3. Where to find healthy coupons
   
4. How to organize the newly found coupons
   
5. And to know when and how to use coupons
   

I am totally impressed with Jennifer. I can always expect a weekly blog post from her about upcoming sales. I print off her weekly coupon match-up list, look at my coupons, and see which items I want to purchase and am on my way to the store. I am a little envious of her savings. She saves on average about 90% of her grocery bill using coupons and weekly sales. My savings on the other hand are a little smaller. Using the knowledge I gained in her class, I save on average $25-$30 every time I visit, which is a few times a month. But I am not complaining. I haven't reached her savings quota yet, but I think it's simply because I haven't nailed down how to effectively stockpile items for future use. But I am on my way. Also, I learned that many of the prices on items I purchase on a weekly basis are cheaper at Whole Foods because the demand for organic products is higher there. It's a win-win situation!

Jennifer has gained quite a following, too. She has over 2000 followers on Facebook, and she has been a guest many times on local news and radio stations teaching us how to save money while still eating healthy. So the next time you think you can't walk into a health food store because it is too expensive, think again. The knowledge she has given me has allowed me to feed my family very healthy foods on a budget. So not only are we healthier physically, we are now healthier financially.

If you are in the St. Louis area, be sure to check out the Whole Food's (in Town and Country) website at http://wholefoodsmarket.com/stores/townandcountry/ to see when Jennifer is scheduled to teach another class about couponing. It is worth every penny!