Favorite Healthy Staples!
For me, one of my biggest excuses to not eat healthy while in college was because I was broke and healthy food was just “more expensive.” However, now that Matt and I are married, have a home and careers, there’s no more excuses 
Plus, we both knew that was just an excuse. There are ways to eat healthy without breaking the bank, trust me! I am very price-conscious when I shop and trying to eat healthier has made me even more aware of what things cost. I’ve complied a 10-tip list of ways I personally save money on healthier foods. Here it is:
- Sign up for company newsletters. I know, we all hate getting spam in our inbox but the majority of all major companies have weekly or monthly newsletters that contain valuable coupons or deals available only through the newsletter! Example: I buy NatureMade brand vitamins and by subscribing to their newsletter, they often times send me printable coupons. Most recently? $5.00 off the Vitamin bottle of my choice, as long as it was a certain size. Good deal, if you ask me. And you can use the coupon at most stores, which means if you’re buying things from an already-low price store like Target, it’s even less expensive. Amazing, I know.
- Look in your newspaper or weekly grocery store ad. This is something that often gets overlooked these days because so many stores offer “clip-less coupons” and store value cards. However, newspapers and store ads still offer a variety of valuable clip-able coupons. Yeah, it’s less than great to carry coupons with you but if you can save $1.50 off of the $5.00 loaf of Orowheat Daily Fiber bread (it’s so pricey!), then it’s so worth it.
- Compare prices before you buy. I’m not saying go to 5 different stores and make a spreadsheet of what’s what, but I am saying be aware of the prices of staples at various locations. Peanut butter is typically cheaper here whereas frozen fruit and fresh vegetables are the best value here. Then when it’s staple-buyin’ time, you know where the best deals lie. And it’s easy to get lazy and say “Well, I’m here so what’s $2 extra just this once?” but I think we all know that turns into getting all of our stuff at one place. The extra work is worth it, financially, at the end of the year!
- Check prices online before you buy in stores. Do you looove Kashi cereal and know you’ll most likely be buying it and eating it for the next, oh, say two to three months? It may be cheaper to buy in bulk. Online places often offer free to very low priced shipping, and great bulk deals to boot! Check out places like Amazon and Netrition before you buy a box a week at your local grocery store. You may be able to save big on the things you know you’ll buy; cereal, granola, energy bars, powder-drink packets, etc.
- Take advantage of sales. If your MaraNatha Almond Butter is typically $7-$8 a jar, and it’s on sale for $5, chances are that’s the lowest it’s going to go at a single-unit price in a grocery store. Get two! Even three! Don’t go too crazy if you’re not sure you can consume it all but if you know you will, do it. In this scenario, that’s a price savings of about $9. Hey, it doesn’t sound like much but these are the things that add up!
- Off brands are you friend! Are you a brand snob? You could be wasting some serious cash if you are. I understand preferring the taste of certain brands versus others but if you’re buying a brand simple because of it’s name recognition or that you someone so-and-so using it, there’s a better way! For instance, Cheerios Multi-Grain Cereal can run around $4.49 per box at places like Safeway and Vons. But the store brand version, which has virtually the same nutritional specifications (I checked on this one product!), goes for $2.50-2.99. To me, this off-brand tastes the same! You have to play around and see which items you can go off-brand with and when you can, you will save.
- Look for mark-downs. When buy dairy products like reduced fat cheeses, Greek yogurts, and almond/soy milks, things can get pricey. With items like these, off-brands are not always available. Be aware of grocery mark-downs. Mark-downs simply means that the item is close to going out of code, but it isn’t rotten. Did you know a yogurt is still good 7 days after it’s printed shelf-life expiration date? The same goes with cheeses. (I used to work the freezer/deli cases at a grocery store for 3 years, I know this is true!) If you snatch up the mark-downs, you aren’t buying rotten food and you save. Just make sure you only buy 1 week’s worth and that it is consumed before the one-week post expiration date.
- Specialty items can be found a other specialty places. Some of the more pricey items–Justin’s Nut Butter, Sugar-Free Spreadable Fruit, Whole-Grain Organic Crackers, Specialty sauces, etc–can be found at places like TJ Maxx and Ross. Why? These stores usually have a section where gift baskets or house-warming gifts can be purchases, and these things are usually found there. And there’s nothing wrongs with products at these stores, either. They are either overstock from the vendor or unable to sell products from grocery stores or small markets. They will be cheaper simply because of where they are being sold. You can even discover new products (and cool mugs!) at stores like these!
- Buy in Bulk. Costco. Or known to some of you as Kirklands. This place has a lot of health food and veggies available in bulk. Things that I consume a lot of that can be shelf stable for months–like Pop Chips and loose Granola–are best bought at Costco because they are cheaper. But beware! Do the math before you stock up, sometimes these places are the same price or more expensive than your usual place. It can be hit or miss but it’s worth the try for me.
- Mail-in Rebates. They can be a pain in the butt and takes weeks–sometimes even months–to come back. But it’s your money. Go get it, girl! Don’t let that company keep your $2 because it seems like “a lot of work” to fill out the rebate form. They make it a lot of work to deter people from actually doing it but it’s your money so get it!
These are just a few ways I watch my grocery bill. Like losing weight and keeping it off, buying the best foods at the best prices is a delicate balance and sometimes we spend more than we want to. But if you are always trying to be conscious of cost, you will surely save.
Also, remember that if you still consume high-volumes of food (or have a binge-attack!), you are having to replace these foods more frequently, thus making it more expensive. If you’re looking for a solid reason control portion size or prevent over-snacking, remember, healthier foods are more expensive so if you don’t stay on top of your portions and snacking, food will cost you more! And that’s no fun! I rather spend my money on something like this:
Dolce Vita Studded Pump
Wouldn’t you?
What are some ways YOU save money while grocery shopping?
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