So I have shopped at Whole Foods in the past, but this was before I became a hard-core couponer. Once I became a couponer, I just assumed that my Whole Foods shopping days were over. I was finding great organic deals at Kroger and Publix, so there was no need to venture to Whole Foods anymore.

After my shopping this week, and receiving some tips from Michelle in an email, I think I may be shopping more often at Whole Foods.

Here’s a quick 101 for shopping at Whole Foods:

1. View the ad online HERE, and be sure to sign-up for the newsletter as well. This will help you plan your deals and be alerted to the best sales each week. Shop the sale prices each week, and stock up on the really good deals.

2. Check with Customer Service about your store’s policy on case discounts. Most stores usually give a 10% discount on your items if you buy a case or more. Case sizes vary by item, so you will need to check on the price sticker for the case size.  It is the number next to the individual serving size number.

3. Use your reusable bags. Whole Foods gives a .10 cent discount per bag that you use. If you use just 5 reusable bags each time, you are saving .50 cents!

4. Grab extras of the Whole Deal newsletter when you go in (keeping it within reason of course-save plenty for the other couponers). I noticed when I was in that there were hundreds of these coupon booklets around the store. It’s amazing that customers don’t even pay attention to these booklets. There is also a Delicious Living Magazine that has coupons in it as well. The Whole Deal newsletter is new every month, but most of the time the coupons don’t expire for two months (so be sure to especially get some extras at the end of the month when the coupon booklets will be changing).

5. The Whole Deal Newsletter is packed with Whole Foods coupons. Combine these with Manufacturer coupons for an even bigger savings.

6. Check for mark downs in the store. In the past I have found spices, meats and dairy items discounted.  Usually if a price is ending in a 7, then that item is being discontinued or discounted for some reason.

7. Do your best to be friendly and earn a repor with your cashiers and managers. Whole Foods is not as savvy in the ways of couponing, because not many people use coupons in there. So do your best to always be respectful and create a good relationship with your store employees while helping them understand how coupons work.

Well, I think this is a good start for Whole Foods shoppers. As I venture onward in my Whole Foods shopping and think of more tips, I will add them to this post. Look forward to a few match-ups from me each week as well.