Target is chock-full of great finds. There are affordable, stylish clothes, chic decor, and even food. It’s almost too easy to get carried away and do some serious damage. With that in mind, here are nine easy Target shopping hacks.
Look out for Target Circle Week sales
A few times a year, Target hosts it’s “Circle Week” sales, which often have discounts as deep at 50 percent off across a wide swath of categories. The latest sale begins July 7 and runs through 7/13, so it’s a perfect time to shop and save!
Embrace the ‘dollar spot’
Don’t shun Bullseye’s Playground, AKA “The Dollar Spot,” when you walk into Target. It’s right by the entrance, so take a few minutes to browse. It’s full of cheap and marked-down goodies, and it’s a great place to look for small gifts. Be careful, though. Not everything is a dollar, so check prices.
Coupons are the way to go
At Target, you can use several coupons per transaction as long as the coupon doesn’t specify otherwise. You can find coupons on Target’s website, the local newspaper, or online coupon sites. The Target app also has exclusive coupons. Fun fact: You can even stack manufacturers’ coupons with Target coupons for more savings!
The Weekly Ad is your friend
Check Target’s Weekly Ad section on its website to scope out major sales that change every seven days. It’s the easiest way to stay on top of savings opportunities. Pro tip: You can sign up for a Weekly Ad email so the deals come to you.
Go RED
Target has three Red card options: the REDCard Credit Card and the REDcard Debit card are both “closed loop” cards, meaning that they can only be used at Target. There’s also the REDcard Mastercard, which can be used anywhere. With all three cards, you get exclusive discounts, 5 percent back on all purchases, an extended return window, and free 2-day shipping.
The REDcard Credit Card and the Master Card can affect your credit, so only get these cards if you are a frequent shopper and plan to pay the card off in full each month.
Target Circle
The Target loyalty program offers hundreds of exclusive discounts and offers, easy access to the weekly ad, shopping lists, store navigation and more. Target recently updated this program to add more benefits, so it’s always good to take a look before a shopping trip to make sure you’re aware of all the different ways to save.
It never hurts to ask
Target does rain checks on sale items. If you’re looking for a sale item and it’s not in stock, Target will extend the sale price to you for the next 30-45 days, depending on your state. Just ask an associate for help. You can use your rain check at any Target.
This doesn’t apply to select items, including those marked “No Rain Checks,” and it can’t be used on Target.com. And while you’ll have to check on availability yourself, Target will offer substitutes if possible.
Keep an eye on end caps and markdowns
Check the end caps — those displays at the end of the aisles — for clearance items. Plus, Target has weekly markdowns. Here’s how the blog All Things Target breaks down the markdown schedule for most Target stores.
Target Weekly Markdowns:
Monday: Electronics, accessories, kids’ clothing, books, baby and stationary.
Tuesday: Domestic goods, women’s clothing, pets and food items in the market.
Wednesday: Men’s clothing, health, and beauty, diapers, furniture and lawn, and garden.
Thursday: Houseware, lingerie, shoes, toys, sporting goods, decor, and luggage.
Friday: Auto, cosmetics, hardware, and jewelry.
Consider Target house brands
It’s no secret that you can often save money by shopping store-owned brands. Target owns more than 30 brands, including Up & Up, Archer Farms and Made By Design. You should always compare prices for common products, but Target’s brands are definitely competitive and can offer some serious savings. Target’s Smartly brand, for example, has bargain personal care products and essentials, and most of its items cost just $2 or less.
Order Online
Besides convenience, ordering online can have other advantages. I recently placed an order and I was given the option to have my items combined into fewer shipments, which earned me a dollar back. That’s not a huge savings, but it’s a dollar I didn’t have before!
Related posts:
20 Ways I Save Money (including referral links to help YOU earn!)
How to Save Money When You Shop
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