10 Ways to Save Money at Whole Foods in 2024

This post, Save Money at Whole Foods, contains references to products from one or more of my advertising partners. When you click on a link to any of these products, I may be compensated. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Please visit my Earnings Disclosure & Disclaimer page for more information. Thanks for your support! Please also note that any prices, offers, and terms listed are subject to change at the discretion of the companies mentioned.

Groceries are one of our biggest expenses. And if you’re a fan of the natural and organic food giant, those numbers can easily skyrocket. Fear not, because in this article, we will dive into some practical and achievable ways to save money at Whole Foods in 2024. By the end, you’ll have a better understanding of how to navigate the grocery aisles without breaking the bank, and still maintain a healthy and sustainable lifestyle. Get ready to shop smarter and save some serious dough at Whole Foods.

As a regular Whole Foods Market shopper, I’ve learned how to find the best value – and I’d like to share some of these tips with you. To save money on groceries in general, you might enjoy my article, Eat Well Without the Expense! 18 Ways to Save Money on Groceries.

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Look For the Yellow Sale Signs to Save Money at Whole Foods

Though Whole Foods discounts can fluctuate, in my experience they tend to range between 15% and 20%. Saving .80 cents on a $4 tube of lip balm may not seem like a big deal, but if you buy say, a pricy bottle of supplements, the savings can be substantial.

Don’t fall into the trap of buying something just because it’s on sale, especially if it has a short shelf life. I’ve made the mistake of stocking up on perishables because they were on sale, only to end up tossing them because they expired before I had a chance to use them. It defeats the purpose of trying to save money on groceries.

Shop on Wednesdays to Save Money at Whole Foods

Wednesday is the day of the week when Whole Foods puts out its new sales flyer. While Whole Foods does a decent job of stocking products, there are no guarantees that a product will be available, especially one in high demand. With some exceptions, Whole Foods does not offer rain checks for out-of-stock sale products. So if there’s an item I really want and it’s on sale, I’ll grab it.

Downloading the Whole Foods phone app is one of the best ways to keep updated about new sales.

Amazon Prime Members Save Money at Whole Foods

Whole Foods rewards Amazon Prime members with an additional 10% off items that display the yellow sales signs. So if that Cocokind Mymatcha moisture stick I mentioned above is regularly priced at $8.99 and on sale for $7.69, Prime members would pay $6.92.

As of this writing, Amazon Prime costs $75 annually. That may seem like a lot of cash, but if you shop often at Whole Foods like I do, it’s a good investment. Amazon offers an Amazon Prime 30-day free trial, so you can test it out first.

Amazon offers a free 30-day trial membership to Prime so you can try it out before buying.

Aside from the additional 10% off sale items, other Prime benefits include:

Exclusive sales. Products displaying a blue Amazon Prime sign are available only to Prime members. Note that these specials are not eligible for the additional 10% discount.

Amazon Prime Day, an annual event (usually held during summer) when Prime members get extra perks. For example, in the past, members have gotten $10 in Amazon credit for spending $10 spent at Whole Foods.

Whole Foods delivery cost is free for Prime members. This perk is not offered at every store, however.

To redeem your 10% Prime discount, simply give your phone number to the cashier or scan the barcode found on your Whole Foods phone app. If you have an Amazon Rewards Credit Card, your Prime number is linked to that.

Apply for an Amazon Rewards Credit Card to Save Money at Whole Foods

Here are two to consider.

Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Card (exclusive to Prime members) offers 5% cash back on purchases made at Amazon.com and Whole Foods; 2% back at restaurants, gas stations, and drug stores; and 1% back on all other purchases; plus a $100 Amazon welcome gift card upon approval.

Amazon Rewards Visa Card offers 3% back on purchases at Amazon.com and Whole Foods; 2% back at restaurants, gas stations, and drug stores; and 1% back on all other purchases; plus a $50 Amazon welcome gift card upon approval.

Another benefit? These don’t carry an annual fee. Before signing up for any credit card, be sure to read the terms and study the interest rates, as they can fluctuate.

If you also have a Prime membership and an Amazon.com credit card, you no longer need to give the cashier your phone number or scan a barcode. Just place your Amazon Prime credit card in the payment kiosk and it automatically calculates your Prime savings.

Watch for Special Whole Foods Sales Events

The annual Whole Foods beauty week is when items -including those already on sale- are discounted by 25%, with Prime members eligible for an additional 10% off. Makeup, facial cleansers, and creams have a longer shelf life than food items, so if you tend to buy a lot of natural beauty products, it’s a great time to stock up.

If you use vitamins, minerals, probiotics, and other supplements, look for their 3-day supplement sale, which has offered 25% off in the past.

You have the option of pre-shopping for both sales. Simply stock a Whole Foods shopping bag with items you plan to buy, fill out a form with your name and phone number, and hand it off to a customer service employee for safe keeping. You don’t need to pay until you’re ready to check out during the dates of the sale.

Save Money at Whole Foods by Being Selective With Organic Items

One big reason people buy organic products is because pesticide use is limited (under standards set by the USDA’s National Organic Program). Some argue that organic foods contain more nutrients, though there’s debate on this point,. Organic foods can be pricy, however, and buying them exclusively can result in a bloated grocery bill.

I make a compromise by opting for organic foods when they’re deeply discounted, and for select products like grapes or strawberries, when possible. For guidance on which products to purchase organic (and which are safe to buy conventional) check out The Environmental Working Group, which maintains a list of the “Dirty Dozen” and “Clean Fifteen” foods.

Try the Whole Foods Private Label Brand

Products under the 365 by Whole Foods generic label rival, and in many cases, exceed the quality of similar name-brand products, in my experience. You can also save some serious cash by buying generic.

A few examples:

A 24 oz. canister of quick cook, organic steel cut oats is $4.99. With 17 servings per container, it’s about .29 cents per serving.

An 11 oz. canister of reduced acid cinnamon ground coffee is $4.39. It makes about 29 cups of 6-fluid oz. cups for about .15 cents a serving.

An 11.5 oz. package of their Southwest style chopped salad kit, which includes the greens, salad dressing, and toppings, is $4.49. It contains about three servings, or $1.33 per serving.

Whole Foods carries more than 3,500 private label products, as well as a pet food brand called WholePaws.

Work at Whole Foods

The chain is often ranked as a Fortune magazine “100 Best Companies to Work For.” This is no doubt due, in part, to their comprehensive benefits package, which currently includes a Whole Foods discount of 20%, which can increase to 30% after six months.

They also offer a 401(k) plan, paid time off, and a health insurance option. Note that the health insurance option is no longer available to part-time employees. These benefits can add real value to your paycheck.

Be Disciplined Around These Sections

It’s hard to resist the Whole Foods deli menu or prepared foods section. While these foods are convenient and taste great, they can also be expensive. There are exceptions, like their freshly-prepared pizzas. You can spend about $3.75 for a slice or purchase the entire pie for about $15.

If you see a dish you like and it’s out of your price range, ask the counter worker to cut the food into a smaller pieces when possible. They always oblige me when I ask.

Or look for comparable items in the store. A salad in their prepared section, for example is about $9. For about $4 you can walk over to the produce section and pick up a bag of mixed salad, which includes dressing and toppings.

Save Money at Whole Foods With Manufacturers’ Coupons

Does Whole Foods accept coupons? Yes, and in fact, you can often times couple a manufacturer’s coupon with a store sale and an Amazon Prime membership for the trifecta of savings. To locate manufacturers’ coupons, check your favorite company’s website or social media page. If you can’t find any, it doesn’t hurt to ask. Some have gladly sent me coupons upon request.

Another option is to sign up for the Ibotta app, which lets you earn cash back on purchases. Whole Foods is one of their retail partners.

While saving money is important, I also shop at Whole Foods because of the high standards they require for vendors, established animal welfare standards, and a commitment to local farmers. These are things you can’t really put a price tag on.

By implementing the strategies outlined in this article, you can save money and still shop at Whole Foods for your organic and natural food needs. Remember to prioritize your purchases, keep an eye out for sales and promotions, and utilize digital coupons and rewards programs. Let’s continue to make smart choices for our health and wallets moving forward.

This post contains references to products from one or more of my advertising partners. When you click on a link to any of these products, I may be compensated. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Please visit my Earnings Disclosure & Disclaimer page for more information. Thanks for your support! Please also note that any prices, offers, and terms listed are subject to change at the discretion of the companies mentioned.