I’ve taken vitamins since I was a little girl. I was raised on the basics—C, D, E—but enthusiastically added to the list as I got older. Today, vitamin purchases accounts for a not-insignificant part of my monthly budget. Here are some tips I use to save as much as possible on my monthly vitamin purchases.
6 Tips to save on vitamins
As always, it can be a good idea to talk with your family doctor before making any changes to your family's existing vitamin regimen!
1. Take a multivitamin instead of several singles
Multivitamins can be a good deal if you need to take several different vitamins. Since many multivitamins come in higher potencies, you may also be able to cut back on how many you take and how often you have to take them.
2. Buy in bulk
Vitamins in general tend to have a long shelf life, so long as they are stored properly (cool, dry, dark environment). Buying a supply of 60, 90, or 120 typically only increases your cost by a few dollars, and since they’re small, any little extra corner will do for storage!
3. Trade in brand names for generics
The moment a company loses its patent, other companies are legally able to produce generic versions of the brand name drug. The same holds true for vitamins…especially if the brand name has become a celebrity in its own right. You can easily check the label to compare potency, and if your doctor agrees, see if switching to generics can save you some cash.
4. Buy a higher potency and split in half
This often works for me with multivitamins, since a whole one tends to be a bit too potent. But half is perfect, so I just use a pill splitter (you can get one for a buck or two at any drugstore) to take half a vitamin each day.
Note: This will NOT work if your vitamin is "extended release" so be sure to check before you split!
5. Take kids' vitamins
Kids' vitamins are not only smaller and easier to swallow, but they are more fun too—chewables, gummies, fun colors, great flavors—and often the potencies are not so different than what adults take.
6. Change your diet
One way I've been able to get my vitamin costs down is to change my diet to include more foods that naturally contain the vitamins my body needs. Drinking more orange juice takes care of my vitamin C needs. Sitting in the sun for 10-15 minutes daily takes care of my vitamin D needs. Using a little fish oil in my salad dressings handles my Omega-3 needs. If you prefer to spend less and get your vitamins in their most natural forms, talk to your doctor about making some diet changes!
13 Places to get coupons for vitamins now
Here’s a list of places to sign up for, download, print, and share coupons for vitamins!
1. Nature's Bounty
Get a $1 off coupon now.
- Sign up for the email list and get a free $1 off coupon: https://www.naturesbounty.com/signup/
2. GNC
GNC offers you several ways to save on one-time and repeat purchases.
- Sign up for the email list and get coupons: http://app.gnc.com/profile/profile.cfm
- Get the Gold Card for a one-time $15 fee and save up to 50% on your orders: http://www.gnc.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2134195
- Use auto-delivery to lock in your price for 12 months: http://www.gnc.com/family/index.jsp?categoryId=4315842&ab=CMS:Homepage:Save:Auto_Delivery
3. The Vitamin Shoppe
You may have to hunt a bit to find the vitamins you’re looking for (VS carries a lot of bodybuilder products as well as vitamins and supplements) but when you do, the savings will be worth it!
- Sign up for the email list and get coupons: http://www.vitaminshoppe.com/u/signup/email-sign-up-save
- Shop the sale page for deals: http://www.vitaminshoppe.com/sv/sale/N-1z12pxm
- Join the Healthy Awards Program to save more: http://www.vitaminshoppe.com/u/global/gadgets/healthyAwardsClub.jsp
4. One A Day
You can use this coupon on any One A Day product.
- Print a $2 off coupon: http://www.oneaday.com/savings
5. Feel Alive
Get $1.50 off for yourself, or $3 off if you share the coupon with friends.
- Print the coupon now: http://feelalive.com/Offers
6. Sundown Naturals
Get the $1 off coupon now, and get more coupons by joining the email list.
- Print the $1 off coupon and join the email list for more coupons: https://www.sundownnaturals.com/pages/free_coupon.aspx
7. Flintstones Vitamins for Kids
Get a free $1 off printable coupon now.
- Print your free coupon: http://www.flintstonesvitamins.com/promo/flintstones-vitamins-coupon.php
8. Swanson Vitamins
Swanson offers you several ways to save on your vitamins purchases.
- BOGO deals (buy 2 for up to 70% off): http://www.swansonvitamins.com/bogo
- Shop the Deal of the Day: http://www.swansonvitamins.com/outletmall/deal-of-the-day.html
- Save up to 80% on web-only specials: http://www.swansonvitamins.com/outletmall/deal-of-the-day.html
9. Geritol
Get a printable coupon for free now.
- Download/print the $1 off coupon: http://www.geritol.com/coupons
10. Gummy Vites
Tasty gummy vitamins for your kiddos—and a $1 off coupon!
- Download your free coupon: http://www.gummyvites.com/Lil-Critters
11. Emergen-C
Emergen-C has long been one of my favorite ways to get my vitamins—in a tasty, fizzy drink!
- Join the email list to get a $1 off savings coupon: https://www.emergenc.com/get-coupon
- Get a free Emergen-C sample (or two!): https://www.emergenc.com/free-sample
12. Caltrate
If you need to take calcium supplements for bone health, you'll love these coupons—choose from $1 off or $2 off.
- Sign up and download your coupons: http://www.caltrate.com/coupons
13. Garden of Life
Finally—a great $3 off coupon can be yours to try their new organic plant protein supplements!.
- Print the coupon now: http://www.gardenoflife.com/save
