Top 5 Tips To Save At Target

If you’ve spent any amount of time with me or my kids, you know that we love Target. It’s also no secret that Target is known for drawing you in for something like a package of toilet paper, and then causing you to leave with $150 of items that you didn’t know you {needed} until you were walking the sweet, mesmerizing aisles.

Still, I’ve found ways to help you actually SAVE money, even when you find yourself buying items you weren’t planning to. I think that’s slightly part of the reason the baskets fill up. I didn’t need a sweater today, but 30% off using the Circle app? Yes, please.

Whether you are a Target newbie, or a seasoned shopper, read on to see my TOP 5 tips to save your dollars at the register.

1. Download the Target app! This. Is. So. Important! It’s super easy to do. Go to your App Store on your phone, download the app, and create a free account. Target Circle (within the Target app) offers special coupons & discounts, keeps track of your purchases to give you 1% cash back, and a special surprise on your birthday. (Mine’s in 13 days yay!)

2. Scan EVERYTHING. Now that you’ve downloaded the app, you can go to the section of the app that says Target Circle Offers. You can browse to see what offers there are, but the most effective way I’ve found is to use the barcode scanner feature. Scan your item and see if it pulls up a discount! If the item has an eligible savings, the app will automatically add it to your “wallet” which is basically a collection of all your saved offers. At checkout you will scan that final wallet barcode and ALL of your discounts will be applied at once. To save yourself a rushed feeling at checkout, and avoid people staring at you for taking too long, scan ahead of time while you’re shopping. But if you forget, and find yourself scanning as you put your items on the conveyor, know that I’ve been there with you sister. 👏🏻

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3. Pay attention to online prices. While you are scanning your items, pay attention to the price. If it shows that it is on SALE or a lower price than the “regular price”, take a screenshot, and remember to pay attention to that item at checkout. Sometimes it will ring up on sale in the store too. But oftentimes the website and the store will have different pricing. Why? I don’t know, they didn’t ask me for my opinion. But I DO know that Target will price match their own online prices. I am truly grateful for this generous action! Some stores will tell you, sorry, if you want the online price, go buy it online. And chances are if the savings is significant enough, I will do just that. Target saves me the hassle, and keeps me coming back IN to their store, because they honor the discount. Other stores, take note. Yes, you may be thinking, geez Tina, we are only on tip 3 and you are wearing me out. This is a lot of work. And truthfully yes, it’s a little more effor than just grabbing your stuff and leaving the store, but if you care about stretching your dollars, you’ll start scanning like a pro in no time.

4. Sign up for emails, push notifications on the app, and Target texts. There are so many ways to be updated on current sales, and upcoming sales, that it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. I suggest picking an avenue that you like, and go for that. If email is your thing, sign up for those emails. If you just want to check in on the app when you are ready to shop, they post the current week’s sales, plus what’s to come for the next week. (I like that they share this info! Nothing is worse than shopping on a Friday and then seeing something went on sale the following Sunday.) Plan your trips and shopping around when you know that your items will be on sale. In the store, you will sometimes see signs that say TEXT TOY to Target to receive a coupon for this % off. Take advantage of those coupons! You are allowed to stack the mobile coupons, plus your Target circle offers in the same transaction, so don’t be scared to try.

5. And lastly, sign up for a Target RedCard. Before you close this tab and say “no thanks, I don’t need a credit card.” HEAR me out! We’ve made it this far. 🙂 Target has a Red DEBIT card. Yes. You read it right. Debit. You just need to have a checking account to link it to, and it works just like your bank debit card. Funds will be withdrawn from your linked bank account whenever you use your Target Debit card. Perks to this card include saving 5% off EVERY transaction. (Yes, in addition to coupons, in addition to price matching, in addition to circle offers.) You get free 2-day shipping online when you use your Target RedCard. And also, you don’t have to keep track of your receipts with your RedCard. If you need to return something, just hand them the RedCard and they can look up your transaction. You can also LINK your RedCard to the Target app, so that when you are ready to checkout, you show them the wallet barcode (where you are saving your circle offers — and it will automatically apply payment as well.) There are times I have forgotten my wallet with RedCard, and have appreciated the fact that my “card” is on my phone, ready to go!

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That about wraps up all of my savings tips for Target. I truly love the store, and love being frugal when I shop. I hope that you find some of these tips helpful, and please feel free to share your favorite tips on social media or in the comments!

Happy shopping friends.