August 4, 2015

How to Save Money Grocery Shopping { and for Whole30! }

 
 
This post was sponsored  by Grocery Outlet Bargain Market but all opinions are 100% my own.
 
I am a bargain shopper through and through. It stems from my parents I'm sure, neither of whom buy anything that isn't on sale.
 

Since money is tight at the moment, I am constantly striving to spend less and save more.This 
applies to everything, including my grocery bill.


 
So when I decided to take the plunge and do Whole30, I knew I'd have to be smart with my shopping in order to not break the bank.

Luckily, my favorite extreme bargain retailer, Grocery Outlet Bargain Market has opened a brand new store very close to home!




I was thrilled to go shop the new store and for their grand opening. I love businesses that are locally owned and operated and the new Grocery Outlet on Overland is just such a store.


If you haven't had the pleasure of visiting a Grocery Outlet, you are missing out! Rather than pricier natural food stores, you can save up to 60% more on groceries and other products compared with shopping conventional retailers. They offer name brand products at a fraction of the cost - similar to your Ross or TJ Maxx - but for groceries!


I knew Grocery Outlet would be a great place to start my Whole30 shopping because of their NOSH (Natural, Organic, Specialty and Healthy) offerings and I was excited to get started on this journey.




While the store did not offer 100% of the very specific Whole30 items I needed, (I wasn't expecting coconut aminos or anything fancy) I did find a lot of items that worked for the program at incredible prices!



Some of my favorite WOW and Whole30 approved finds were:



HUGE avocados 4 for $5 | 32 oz Organic Chicken Broth $1.49 | Whole30 compliant berry nut snack mix $1.79 | Marantha Natural Almond Butter $4.99 | big beautiful yellow bell peppers for $.50 | natural olives for $.99

I also found a big bag of frozen organic green beans, Whole30 friendly garlic pesto, organic chipotle salsa and I was PUMPED to find my favorite shampoo in the mega, pump top size, for only $4.99! I usually spend $9.99 on this same product at Costco.


 I mean, what is better than half price shampoo? Not much!

Here are my tips for saving money while grocery shopping in general and for Whole30:
 
  • Make a list and stick to it. Have a plan, stick to it, and don't go off list. That's where extra spending happens!
  • Have a budget in mind. Most of the time when I grocery shop I have a budget in mind and I add up approximate costs as I go. If I get too close or over my budget things go back on the shelf, or I don't pick anything else up!
  • Stick to the outside edges of the store. Typically all the healthy essentials are housed on the outside walls of every grocery store - produce, meats, dairy etc. If you do a loop around and get those main things, you'll skip the processed items in the middle aisles that cost you money you don't need to spend!
  • Read your labels. I was shocked at how many things I picked up and read the label for that weren't Whole30 friendly - lots of added sugars and other "forbidden" additives. Make sure you check that before you buy, because you don't want something you can't eat hanging on your shelves or to pay for it!
  • Buy in bulk. When meats, fruits and veggies are on a killer sale, stock up! You can always prep and freeze these items for future use. 
  • Find your nearest Grocery Outlet Bargain Market. I saved $40 on my shopping trip at the Grocery Outlet (and I love how they put that right on your receipt), almost as much as a spent. That is such an incredible savings!

 
 
I was very pleasantly surprised by the organization and general appeal of the store, especially with it being a discount market. Walking in I was welcomed by gorgeous orchids at a steal of a deal, for which I had to pass up since they weren't on my list!
 
 
They also had an incredible beer selection which I will be perusing once I'm done with Whole30!
 
 
After visiting the store I know it will be one of my regular grocery stops for my healthy food items as well as general necessities. From the store layout to the staff it was all better than expected - and you definitely can't beat those prices!


Grocery Outlet now has six locations in Idaho and both the new Boise and Caldwell locations are part of 20 new stores that will be opening this year. There are over 200 locations across California, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Pennsyvania, and Washington - so there could be one near you!

Do you have a favorite discount market? What are your tips for saving money when grocery shopping for eating healthy?
 
 
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8 comments:

  1. Good luck on doing Whole30, girlfriend! You're gonna rock it!

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  2. Soooo excited for you! Tjis is going to be life changing if you can get through it which if I can, you can. Yes... read every label and don't give in. If it's not 100% compliant put it back on the shelf. You can have it later.You got this!!!

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  3. I'm really bad about grocery shopping, I don't stick to a budget but buy all the healthy foods. I've done two Whole30s and each time felt amazing afterwards. It's incredible how many products have sugar or soy in them, right? You've got this lady, I promise the journey will be worth it, even on the hard days. Feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions. I'm all about people completing Whole30!

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  4. I totally second buying in bulk. We buy chicken in bulk, separate it and freeze it in bags. It makes it so much simpler to make dinner that way, and we don't waste so much food!

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  5. Oh I wish there was something similar close to me! I'm so pumped to see your journey!

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  6. Oh man, that place looks amazing!!! I wish we had something like that here! I would be hitting it up all the time. I can't wait to follow along with your Whole 30 journey.

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  7. Grocery Outlet is awesome! It's not super convenient to go to the one in Seattle for us so I always forget. I wish it was more convenient!

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  8. I don't think we have those up north. I'm glad you scored on the cheap for your Whole 30. Good luck!

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