Save Money on a Whole Foods or GF Diet

If you're trying to keep grocery costs down while living on a whole foods or gluten free diet, you already know that traditional cost-cutting measures don't always work.  Sure, you can cut a couple hundred dollars from your budget using coupon techniques if you're able to live off of granola bars, cereal, chicken nuggets, and food-like substances that more closely resemble vitamin-fortified cardboard than real food. But if you choose to steer clear of most convenience foods - either because of gluten intolerance or the choice to eat natural, whole foods - you have to be a little more creative in how you stretch your grocery dollars.

In my post, The Healthy, Thrifty, Gluten Free Pantry, I gave an overview of typical foods you'll find in our pantry.  Even though I cook most meals from scratch, I keep some healthy convenience foods on hand because a) I have two kids who would rather have me read to them than whip up the perfect risotto, b) life happens, so sometimes I don't have an hour to fix dinner because the dog ran away (again) and I have to chase him through my neighbors' backyards, in my slippers, while trying not to make eye contact with anyone, and c) sometimes I just need a break, so a box of Annie's Organic Gluten Free Mac n' Cheese provides an alternative to throwing a full-blown tantrum in front of my children. You can eat well without having to give up every convenience, and you don't have to choose between eating quality food and sending your kids to college.  The key is to shop wisely.

Here is how we get the best deal on "real food" and expensive organic or gluten free products:

• Learn sale cycles at local stores, then stock up on 3-4 months worth (freeze, if needed).  Many products go on sale regularly (i.e. canned tomatoes and beans, cheese, tuna, crackers, milk).  Even gluten free products have sale cycles.  (Fred Meyer is currently offering Bob's Red Mill products 40% off.)  Other items go on sale seasonally (i.e. canned pumpkin and apple juice in the fall, baking products at Christmas, ketchup and chips around summer holidays).  If you keep track of how often you see sale prices on pantry staples, you'll be able to predict how long it will be until that item goes down in price again.  This knowledge will help you know how much of an item to buy once it goes on sale (enough to meet your family's demands until the next cycle), and helps you determine whether or not to use a coupon or save it until the item goes on sale again.  Which leads to...
• Combine coupons with store ads.  Even if you don't buy many prepackaged products, chances are you can still use coupons on paper products, cleaning supplies, beauty products, and condiments (unless you enjoy making your own ketchup).  We mostly buy generic items, but I do clip coupons for items we use because a coupon combined with a sale will usually cost considerably less than the generic version.  We also have a store in our area that honors double coupons, which means I can save double the coupon's value.  However, I don't clip coupons for items we don't regularly buy (like junk food), because I don't want to be tempted to buy something just because I have a coupon for it. (For instance, it's not a good deal to get fruit snacks for $1 if the dollar I'm wasting on fruit-flavored corn syrup nuggets could have been spent on real fruit.)
• Learn the rock bottom price for frequently purchased items and which stores regularly carry them at the lowest price.  When we first began eating gluten free, I carried a notebook in my purse and jotted down which stores carried gluten free items, and the price of each item so I could compare them.  I only pay the rock bottom price, which means I shop at several stores (although I don't go to every store each week).  I check ads at the beginning of the week and plan to visit stores offering several items at or close to the rock bottom price.
• Try lots of different brands - don't chose favorites.  This is a hard one, because most of us develop loyalty to certain brands.  Be willing to try a different brand if it's on sale or you find a coupon for it.  You might be pleasantly surprised!
• Look for meat that's close to its expiration date.  I defy traditional advice and do not go to the store with a specific menu in mind.  Instead, I stock up on pantry staples when they are on sale, so I always have lots of options, then plan my meals AFTER buying whatever meat and produce is on sale.  (Check here to see how I determine the best meat price.)  Sometimes the best price isn't advertised, but is found by perusing the meat section in search of clearance stickers.  If pork chops are marked down below rock bottom price because the "sell by" date is tomorrow, I either plan to have them for dinner that night or freeze them once I get home.
• Make your own convenience food by doubling recipes or setting aside half (instead of having leftovers) and freeze the extra amount.  When I assemble a 9"x13" recipe, like lasagna or egg casserole, I make half in an 8"x8" dish for that day's meal, and put the other half in a disposable square pan for one of those nights when the dog runs away.
• Use Amazon's subscription service.  I discovered this amazing service a few years ago, and we save a ton of money on the gluten free products we buy this way.  For instance, a 4 lb. bag of Pamela's Pancake and Baking Mix costs $16 at Fred Meyer.  I order a box of 3 bags (delivered every 3 months) for $33 from Amazon, and save $5/bag!  Plus, it's just fun to get stuff in the mail.  Here's how it works: 

If you see an item that says, "Subscribe & Save" underneath, you can save an additional 15% off the "best price" and get FREE shipping by simply signing up to have it sent to you on a regular basis.  You decide how often you want it (every month, 3 months, 6 months) and may cancel at any time.  You can change the frequency it's delivered, cancel a shipment, or request an additional shipment whenever you want - and it's always at the discounted price with free shipping.  You can see some of the items we subscribe to in my store on the tab above.

Shop like a pro and you can eat healthy, whole foods while still saving for Junior to go to college.

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