How to maximize your savings when shopping at Target

I LOVE TARGET, and I know I’m not alone in this, right? We’ve all found ourselves visiting the store a couple (or maybe more) times a week. We usually go in for one thing and leave with a cartload full of stuff we didn’t need, but purchased anyway. Target is evil like that. We mostly go for the great deals and the awesome stuff that they carry, but I also love going because I always end up saving more than expected. Because I know we’re all obsessed with Target, I decided to share 10 ways you can maximize your savings when visiting the store. Read on for more info!

1. Download their Cartwheel App. I love this app! It gives you additional savings that aren’t advertised on their weekly ad. The app has their savings divided by category which is great to scroll through and see if there’s something that you like but maybe don’t necessarily need. The app also has the option to scan the product, which is the option I use the most. I scan each and every product I have in my cart and can usually find additional savings. The best feeling is when you find a lot of them. Once you find one you’re going to use, you add it to your Cartwheel and once you’ve been rung up at checkout, you show your Cartwheel bar code to the associate so they can scan it and watch the savings add up.
2. Sign up for their emails. This is pretty much a no-brainer but I mention it because there have been a few times that Target has sent an email to their subscribers about a special sale or coupon that isn’t advertised on their weekly ad, on Cartwheel or around the store. The “secret” sale or special is usually only for their subscribers and usually lasts only one day, so take advantage.
3. Open a RED card. It’s not a credit card. It’s a debit card that withdraws the money from your checking account just like a debit card. Since it’s exactly the same as a debit card, you might be wondering what’s the point of getting one then. Well, it has its perks. You automatically get 5% off each and every purchase you make whether in-store or online. And let’s be honest, if you’re like me, you’re at the store at least a couple of times a week and the 5% does add up. It’s also great because the 5% discount can be combined with other discounts. So it doesn’t matter if you use Cartwheel and coupons, you’ll still get the extra 5% off when you pay with your RED card. It has no annual fee, it has a chip and is PIN enabled just like your debit card. You can also withdraw up to an additional $4o in cash when making your purchase in store. By having the RED card, you also get an additional 30 days for returns (for a total of 120 days since they automatically give you 90 days for returns). It also doesn’t matter if you have your receipt or not when returning your purchase since they can pull it up on their system with your RED card. The RED card also gives you free shipping when ordering online. Having the card also entitles you to a few perks along the year, like a free drink or free popcorn at their Target Café just by showing your RED card.
4. Use their coupons. If you haven’t noticed, the in-store coupons they give you are usually for items you purchase as well as similar items, so save them and use them because you can use those coupons in conjunction with the Cartwheel app as well as your RED card’s 5%. You can also browse their website for additional coupons and print them at home and redeem them in store.
5. Watch out for advertised in-store coupons. Target has this system where they will advertise in their stores how to get additional savings. They sometimes have signs up saying to send them a text to get a special coupon. Those coupons are usually to the likes of, “Get $10 off your $50 home purchase” or “Get $25 off your $150 women’s apparel”. Those coupons are usually in the home, clothes or beauty sections and all you need to do is send the specified text that’s on the sign to the specified number and they send you a link to the coupon. You then have the associate at the checkout scan it. These coupons are only advertised in store so be on the lookout.
6. Search their end caps. That’s usually where their Clearance items are placed/hidden.
7. Sign up for their mobile coupons. There are two ways to do this, either by text or by the Target app. You can text OFFERS to 827438 to start receiving coupons via text messages or you can download the Target app (not to be confused with their Cartwheel app; they’re two different apps) and click on “Mobile Coupons” to receive coupons directly in the app.
8. Bring your reusable bags. Target offers a 5¢ discount for every reusable bag you use during your purchase. It’s not much, but it can add up.
9. Combine your savings. Target allows you to combine the savings so make sure you use them all. You can use Manufacturer Coupons, Target Coupons, Cartwheel app discounts and Gift Cards all together to save you even more.
10. Save their Gift Cards. Target usually offers gift cards when you buy certain products or multiple amounts of the same products. They’re usually $5 gift cards but can be for more; electronics usually go for much more. Save them and use them all together when you make big purchases in conjunction with your other coupons and your Cartwheel app to maximize your savings. You can also use one or two when making smaller purchases. You can also purchase their gift cards when they’re on sale and save them for yourself. For example, Target recently had a one day sale where you would get 10% off your purchase of gift cards which means a $50 gift card would cost you $45. That’s a good time to buy some and save them for future use.

Hope these tips help you. Tell me, have you used any of these? Do you have any other tips you’d like to add to this list? Let me know in the comments below!

Happy Shopping!