5 ways to save money at Sprouts Farmers Market

Originally posted on February 3, 2020. Updated on December 6, 2020.

The other day when I was at Sprouts, I heard a middle-aged woman say something like, “It goes as low as $2.99 so I’ll wait until the price drops.” I thought that was so interesting and it made me wonder how she keeps track of prices. I’m not sure what item she was referring to, but I have to assume it’s something she has bought often enough to remember the sale price of. That’s smart shopping!

Today, I’m sharing some of my tips and tricks for saving as much as possible at Sprouts Farmers Market.

1. Always check the ad for sales

When I’m writing my grocery list, I usually have a few meals I want to make in mind. Then I always check the ad for sales.

Sometimes I write my list with the paper that comes in the mail and a memo pad, but more often I use the Flipp app. With Flipp, I can easily look through my favorite store ads and click on an item in the add to “clip” it. Then it is added to the shopping list portion of the app.

Of course, I also just browse the aisles in person and see what’s on sale when I’m there even if I already have a list. I buy fruits, vegetables and meat based on the sales more than anything else. They can be on deep discount at times.

2. Buy meat in bulk when it’s worth it

I find it particularly helpful to buy meat in bulk sometimes to save money. Sprouts will have “buy one get one free,” “buy one get one 50% off,” or a percentage off the regular price on meat, poultry, and I believe seafood as well.

3. Download the Sprouts app for digital coupons

Speaking of buying in bulk, if you like buying from the bulk section of Sprouts (the barrels of dried fruit, grains, beans, candy, etc.), you should check the app for the occasional coupon on bulk items. There was recently a coupon for an extra 25% off the bulk section.

This past weekend, there was a coupon for $5 off if you spend $40 or $10 off if you spend $60. That was a super easy way to save.

There are also digital coupons for individual items, such as “Save $1 on Stonyfield Organic yogurt” or “Buy one get one free on TCHO Chocolate.”

4. Use Ibotta for extra savings

Ibotta is a free rebate app that has grocery and retail offers. After shopping, take a picture of your receipt and add offers to get cash back. Or better yet, search through before shopping to plan your list with consideration of what digital offers are available. After earning at least $20.00, you can cash out into your PayPal or Venmo account, or redeem it for a gift card to one of several stores like Amazon or Target.

If there are no brand specific offers that I want that week, Ibotta pretty much always has at least one “any item” offer, such as “any item, submit any grocery receipt,” “milk” or “frozen meal.”

Use my Ibotta referral code “rqnnqoi” to get a sign-up bonus, plus those extra savings I was just talking about on your everyday purchases.

How to add your referral code in the Ibotta app

1. Click here to register as a new user.
2. Enter referral code rqnnqoi where it says “Referral Code,” if it’s not filled in already.
3. Join with Facebook, Google, or email.
4. Earn a bonus, if available.

5. Know what not to buy

I always make a list before going to the store, but I inevitably buy extra things that are not on the list too. I try not to get too many of those. Also, I love Sprouts, but there are certain things I prefer to buy at Trader Joe’s or Target sometimes because of either the prices, selection, or both. For example, Trader Joe’s seems to have the lowest price on bananas around and I get most of my snack type foods at Trader Joe’s.

Sprouts has a lot of organic products. I appreciate that to an extent. I buy some organic fruits and vegetables. But I don’t care to spend a lot of money on things like organic or otherwise expensive ice cream, chocolate or snacks. When trying to save money, I’ll try to skip the Tillamook frozen custard and get Market Pantry ice cream at Target next time I feel like treating myself instead. Also, Annie’s products are almost always cheaper at Target. But sometimes Sprouts has them on sale plus there is a digital coupon in the app, so it’s a better deal than Target.

P.S. This is not a sponsored post. I am just writing it out of a desire to share my tips on how to save some cash when shopping at Sprouts, which is where I have been grocery shopping the most often in the past year.