Things You'll Need:
- local paper
- coupons
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Step 1
The best way to save on produce is shopping at your local farmers market or produce stand. Not only is the produce going to be less expensive than in the grocery store, it will be much fresher. Most of the time you are supporting local farmers and the local economy. Another option is to shop directly from local farmers. A great way to find local farmers is www.pickyourown.org. They have listing by state for places that you can get and even pick your own produce fresh from the plants.
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Step 2
If shopping at a local farmers market is not an option, then shopping sales is the next way to save money. Each week grocery stores have sales on varying items. The items on sale change each week. Most store's sales run Sunday to Saturday. Check you local store to see when their sales run. Generally the items on the front of the sales ad are going to be the best deals. These items are at lower prices to get you into the store. Make sure to compare prices at the different grocery stores in your area to get the lowest prices.
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Step 3
Using coupons is another way to save money when shopping for healthy foods. Combine shopping sales with using coupons to get the most bang for your buck. The two most common ways to obtain coupons is from the paper or from online. To get coupons the traditional way you will need to purchase your local Sunday paper if you do not already have a subscription. Coupons only come out in the Sunday edition of the paper. The other way to obtain coupons if to purchase them online at coupon websites. You can buy coupons for a fraction of the face value. Buying coupons online saves you money because you don't have to buy multiple papers if you want multiples of certain coupons and you only pay for the coupons that you will use. Usually the coupons have a limit of 10 per order but many have no limit on the number you can buy at once. To save the most buy several coupons at once to save on shipping cost.
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Step 4
Buy frozen when fresh isn't in season or on sale. Frozen fruits and vegetables are frozen at the height of their freshness. If you are going to be making smoothies for example, then you want frozen fruit anyway. Frozen vegetables are quick and easy to prepare. More brands are coming out with packaging that goes straight from the freezer to the microwave and are ready in about 5 minutes. When shopping look for vegetables that are plain, without butter or sauces. Chicken is another item that can be cost effective to buy frozen as opposed to fresh. Don't forget to shop for sales and use coupons on frozen foods.
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Step 5
The last way to save money while eating healthy is to stockpile. When you find a great deal on items buy multiples of the item. You are going to need the items eventually, so why not buy them on sale and save money. Another way to stockpile is to buy from warehouse clubs like SAMS, Costco and BJ's. Use caution when shopping at warehouse clubs. Make sure that you will be able to consume the large quantities that you are purchsing before it goes bad. Often times you can get better deals at your local grocery store shopping sales and using coupons. For saving the most money combine shopping locally, shopping sales and using coupons to stock up on items.
