My Poor College Student Raw Foodism Bargaining Techniques. "Cool Bags"

[L.]

I went to Whole Foods today.  I like to go on Fridays, because typically I've found that's the day my Whole Foods has the best bargains out of all the days of the week.  Every once and a while, like today, I find that some things I normally buy for cheaper are still full price, but most Fridays, I save a few more dollars or get more bang for my buck.

 

Here was what I bought today, again using my method of: entering the produce section, making rounds (checking the prices of everything and seeing which fruits and veg have the best weight/price ratio), and grabbing the best deals, regardless of what they are (either way, this forces lots of variety in my diet!!! :) ).  I add up the prices in my head as I go through the store, so I know when I've reached my maximum price range: $24-$35 dollars.  That's an affordable amount per week, worth every penny for someone who would get very very sick eating ramen!! (and honestly, I'm afraid of conventional produce from regular stores.  I seem to have bad experiences with it.  If it works for you go for it, but I find I still spend the same supporting what I love, since usually stores like Kroger or Meijer (at least the ones near me) don't carry enough different types of fresh produce for it to be worth the trip anyway)

 

7.42 lb (3-4 bunches (as in, 3 big, or 4 medium)) rainforest certified bananas @0.79/lb:  5.86 (the extra dollar or two I am paying so I'm not supporting rainforest deforestation?  priceless.  You still get so much bang for your buck with this fruit, so if anything, I think this is the fruit to go eco-friendly on.)

5 lb Organic carrots @3.99 per bag (the one packaged item I get simply because it's such a good deal--the amount in the bag always seems WAY more than 5 pounds): $3.99

.97 lb Organic mung beans @1.99/lb: $1.93

3.76 lb Local, organic really pretty and interesting looking gold/green zucchin @ 1.69/lb: $6.35 (they have the local stuff on sale!!  *hugs to whole foods*

2.1 lb Organic daikon @1.99/lb: $4.18

3.74 lb Conventional (but local!) peaches @0.99/lb: $3.70

40 c each limes: $0.80

1 bunch @2.49 each Organic red kale: $2.49 (dang it.  are they finding out my secret?  the greens are never on sale anymore!!)

1 bunch @2.49 each Organic green kale: $2.49

.56 lb @ 1.99/lb beets (I'm weary...I've never tried them before, don't know how to cook/un-cook them...so I made a cute little bag of them with a reused netted one I had): $1.11

1 (huge and beautiful!  thick skin so I didn't worry about conventional) conventional canteloupe @3.00 each: $3.00

 

Total: $35.90

 

And usually I allow myself a little treat, but since I already reached my maximum total...well, I had to be disciplined this week.

 

So I usually bring in adorable, reusable bags, because I want to make a statement and kind of inspire others to do the same.  I guess I'm becoming a regular now, since the cashiers are starting to recognize me...and LOL when I walked up to the register, this is what was said to me:

"Heyyy, it's Cool Bags!"

LOL.  I now have a nickname at Whole Foods.

She said, as many have said to me before, that it takes dedication.  (It does.  But it is easy to do too.  You just put the bags in the trunk of your car after every time you put away the groceries.  That's their designated space--it makes sense.  They'll always be with you when you go anywhere.  Simple.   As for the reusable produce bags, after you've used one, hang them on a chair in your kitchen to wash with the next load of towels.)

 And then you know what else she did?  She took off the price of even my reusable PRODUCE bags.  Not just the shopping bags!!  I got 70 cents off of the whole thing rather than a lame 20 like I usually get.  So my final total was actually $35.20.  I'm not sure she would have done this unless she knew that I regularly come to the store, always, always making sure to bring my reusable bags.

Dedication pays off.  And it inspires people to better themselves too.

 

So, that was my little wholefoods trip!! :)  Hopefully next week I'll be able to have some extra money laid over.  I'm aching for a treat!!   I also want to start putting money aside to also save up to order something amazing in bulk online!  Or at least buy myself another raw revolution bar. :)

 

Above all though, I'm so happy with my discipline today!!  Totally worth it.  I have bulk dry goods stored in my cabinet in case I run out of the raw and need back up, but since the majority of my food is raw produce, I'm still feeling healthy, and since it's a limited amount, I'm saving money AND it's helping me lose weight and be more conscious of the daily variety in my diet.  Not for everyone, but for me: Win, win, win!!  I love saving money!

 

 

P.S:  I'm sprouting mung beans.  I have no idea what I am doing.  Can you cover them completely, or does their cover need air holes??

[L.]

Aww, thankyou!! :)

 

You shop at the same WF I do!!! :)  It's a 15 minute drive from me.  I guess I am lucky!

 

LOL I love that.  Totally making a statement!!

 

We certainly do!!!!  Hugs!!  Do you know if/how you'll be storing raw foods for the winter?  I'm still a little lost as to how I should--and I need to get cracking! :)  At first I was adamant about using my freezer, but now I feel like that form of storing would almost be futile--my freezer simply isn't big enough to hold more than a week's worth of produce.

[Mae Jardine]

As always, I enjoyed your informative blog, Lyza.  I save money taking my bags with me to Ann Arbor Whole Foods Market.  My trips are usually every month to six weeks since it takes me an hour's drive.  My local grocery store also gives me money back when I bring in my Whole Foods reusable bags.  They make a grand statement saying, "I USED TO BE A PLASTIC BOTTLE".   They always get a giggle from the young baggers.

Good to see you also had a great bargain day at the local Farmers Market.  We Michiganders have to enjoy it while it last!  Hugs  : )

 

[L.]

Basil, I just went to the farmer's market today.  Never has it ever been so beautiful, bountiful, or the prices as low as they were this week.  I guess August is certainly Michigan's prime month for produce.  It was wonderful.  I'll be buying all of my groceries from there next week, persevering through the crowds.  It's worth it.  I spent only a few dollars, being frugal since I'd already bought groceries yesterday, but got amazing things, a huge eggplant for 50 cents, a huge cucumber for 33 cents, and 2 dollars for a box of some lovely tiny little yellow apples.

 

Hopefully my sprouts will work out :)  I was bold--put the entire pound of mung beans in a big bowl and then a paper plate on top with holes in it! :)  A two dollar mistake is worth is still better than buying a 4 dollar small handful (a much worse mistake, in my opinion)!

 

 

Debbie, I'm so glad it was helpful!! :)  I'm a bargain fiend, I guess--I'm not sure why (as I'm so right brained really!).  I really enjoy writing about these things and finding ways to improve my budget, so I'll most likely continue writing about this stuff peppered into my entries.

Your food sounds delightful!  A half a bushel for 6 dollars sounds like an incredible bargain!!  What is "the big hauling" ? (sorry!)

If I end up truly needing to purchase something encased in a mesh bag, I  reuse those mesh bags too :)  I LOVE them.  Especially in pretty colors like dark purple.  They make produce look a lot nicer in the fridge :)

[Basil]

Lyza, Great! I've found the best bargains at the farmer's markets are near closing time. Crowds are thinner usually too as an added bonus. I agree it is  a great time of year for it :)

Oh yeah, sprouting is super easy and a great bargain...some of the sprouts double and triple in volume! I sprout mine in mason jars with the lids from sproutpeople.org.

[Debbie V]

This was helpful to me to read, Lyza. I don't put a limit on my purchases at WF, but I'd certainly like to cut costs, so have been leaning toward produce that gets bigger bang for my buck. Lately, I'm buying lots of celery, carrots, apples, beets. Getting zucchini and kale from sister's garden. Locally grown 1/2 bushel of cukes for $6 at a nearby farmers' market, a few ears of corn @ $0.50 ea, and peaches. 

My WF also gives me a discount for using reusable bags for the big hauling and also for the produce. As I buy bags of citrus, I'm saving the net/mesh bags for reuse, since they take up no space when empty and that keeps the mesh out of the landfill. 

[L.]

Hi Basil!!!   Good idea!  We do! :)  I only go every once and a while with my dad, because it's so crowded and overwhelming all by myself!  We might actually be going tomorrow though.  I've never really done extensive bargain shopping there before, since he tends to buy all the items if we go together, but it'd be interesting to see if I can come up with some good price estimates while I'm there in case I want to go there instead of the Whole for next time.  It certainly is a beautiful time of year to use that option!

 

Thankyou Janet!! :)  Oh my goodness, great idea!  I have been googling for pages that explain extensively this stuff, and especially in a compilation with lots of reader's FAQ is extremely helpful.  So far it's all been professionally put-together tid-bits!  This is my answer!!

[Janet Carol Ryan]

well done!

by the way - you can check out the Greenhouse here in the 'hab for lots of good info on sprouting. I'm getting into it myself and having so much fun with my little sproutlings - micro-greens rock! Enjoy your veggies you shrewd shopper you!

[Basil]

Nice job! Do you have any farmer's markets in your area? You might do even better.

[L.]

Thanks!!  I'm not sure they're so good yet.  I'm looking into wholesale produce and seeing if I can get better bargains that way.  It'd be nice to be 100 percent raw!!

 

LOL I'm running to the kitchen to uncover them now!!!  Curses!!!

[Vegan♥for♥Life]

What deals you got - coolness!
Definitely provide air for ANY sprouts, and rinse, rinse, rinse - that is key...