Do you know how to save money at Target?
Target enjoys a high level of customer loyalty that few large box businesses can match, and for good reason. It’s more than just a store; for many, it’s an experience. Besides offering a wide range of products that are unique to the shop, including popular in-house brands like Good & Gather for groceries and Cat & Jack for kids’ clothing, there are several ways to save money at Target. The combination of a clean, well-organized environment and a treasure-trove of exclusive items makes it a go-to destination. If you’re like me and love shopping at this store, you’ll enjoy these tips that can make every Target run even more satisfying.
Speaking of money-saving tips, here’s one of my favorites: applying for a Target RedCard. Experts and savvy shoppers consistently claim that using Target’s RedCard can result in the most significant savings for loyal customers each time they purchase. It’s worth it because you’ll receive an instant 5% back on all eligible Target purchases, which is similar to having a permanent 5% off Target coupon that never expires. While it might not seem like much on a small purchase, consider your total annual spending. If you spend $100 a week at Target, that 5% discount translates to $260 in savings per year, completely effortlessly. If you constantly shop here and your cart is full too, it will make a huge difference in your budget.
You can still benefit from having a Target RedCard if you don’t want the credit card because the store offers debit and credit card options. The debit card links directly to your existing checking account, giving you all the perks without opening a new line of credit. In either scenario, you’ll get daily savings of 5% in stores and online, applied instantly at checkout. But that’s not all: you can also get free two-day shipping on several items from Target.com with no minimum purchase, as well as year-round access to special items, promotions, and exclusive gifts just for cardholders. And let’s not forget about extended return policies on merchandise. Most items get an extra 30 days for returns, giving you more flexibility and peace of mind with your purchases.
But there are more ways to save a ton of money at Target, even beyond the fantastic RedCard benefits. To get the inside scoop, I’ve talked to different store employees, from cashiers to department managers, and they shared their best hacks with me. These are the strategies the pros use to maximize their savings. So, without further ado, here are all the tips and tricks you need to save money at Target:
1. Purchase at the Dollar Spot
If you want some great deals, you don’t need to look further than the store’s Dollar Spot, officially known as Bullseye’s Playground. Located right at the front of the store, it’s designed to lure you in with incredible bargains. This section typically has items ranging from $1 to $5 each and covers several items, from festive pencils, toys, and socks to even home decorations and craft supplies. During back-to-school season, you can find flashcards and classroom supplies. Around the holidays, it’s overflowing with affordable decor, gift wrap, and stocking stuffers. Your home can look amazing on a budget, but be sure to grab what you like when you see it, as the inventory changes rapidly and popular items sell out fast.
….Do you find it easy to save money at Target? You will after reading these tips!
2. Sign up for Target Circle
According to the store’s employees, Target Circle is a fantastic and completely free way to save some cash. It’s their loyalty program, and it’s a must-have for any Target shopper. In addition to regular storewide deals, the rewards program offers customized offers based on your previous purchases and browsing preferences. These deals can be excellent for getting a small discount on things that might not normally be on sale, like your favorite brand of coffee or specific grocery items. You also earn 1% back in rewards on every purchase to use on a future trip (unless you pay with a RedCard, in which case you get the instant 5% off instead). Plus, you get a special 5% off coupon for your birthday! I love a good deal, so count me in on that!
3. Don’t fall for “buy more” offers
The hunt for a better value might occasionally cause consumers to make less-than-smart choices, and the allure of a “deal” can be powerful. Been there, done that. Employees say that you can end up paying more than you had planned to when it comes to “buy more” offers. For example, there might be an offer where you spend $15 to $25 on a certain product category (usually cleaning supplies or cosmetics), and if you shop for qualifying products, you’ll receive a $5 gift card free of charge. But in reality, if you only needed one $6 item and end up buying two more just to hit the $15 threshold, you’ve spent an extra $9 you didn’t plan on to get a $5 reward. You’re just going to overpay if you’re purchasing those things solely to receive the gift card.
…Keep reading to discover other smart ways to save money at Target!
4. But make the most of these “buy more” offers
It probably sounds confusing, but sometimes these buy more offers are exactly what you need to save money at Target. The key is to be strategic. The previous tip applies to impulse purchases, but this one is about smart planning. For instance, if you know your family goes through a lot of paper towels, body wash, or laundry detergent, you can create a stock-up list. Then, you simply wait for one of these gift card promotions to appear for those categories. If you need to stock up on beauty products, paper towels, or cleaning supplies, this is the perfect time to do so. By buying items you were going to purchase anyway, you’re genuinely getting a bonus $5 or $10 back for your future shopping trips.
5. Don’t neglect the end aisles
If you want to save money at Target, make sure you hit the end aisles, also known as endcaps. That’s where the majority of products on clearance are placed for high visibility. These are prime real estate in the store, so you’ll find not only the weekly sale items but also a significant amount of discounted merchandise. While you should always look at the end caps of aisles, don’t forget that these items tend to go quickly, so you have to be quick. It’s a good habit to scan the endcaps in every department you walk through, from electronics to groceries, as you never know what treasures you might find.
6. Choose your weekday wisely
If you have a specific day when you go grocery shopping, you might have to adjust that to save money at Target. According to employees, paying attention to your weekly calendar is one of the smartest things you could do. While this can vary by location, most stores follow a general markdown schedule. The store markets clearance products in particular departments on specific dates, so if you know the schedule, you’re lucky. A common (though not universal) schedule might be: Monday for electronics and kids’ clothing; Tuesday for women’s clothing and pet supplies; Wednesday for men’s clothing, health, and beauty; Thursday for housewares and lingerie; and Friday for automotive and cosmetics.
For instance, if you go to Target on Fridays, you can find affordable auto and hardware, and if you want to get men’s clothing, you should visit the store on Wednesdays. Learning your local store’s rhythm can lead to finding the best deals right after they’ve been marked down, before they get picked over.
7. Go early in the week
While it’s true that some Target sections do better than others when it comes to sales, shopping on particular days and times can help you save even more. The weekend is typically the busiest time, which means shelves can be bare by Sunday evening. Employees work hard to restock the store on Monday and Tuesday mornings.
Even though Sundays are the best days to use your Target Circular savings from the new weekly ad, shopping on Mondays and Tuesdays allows the store time to replenish the shelves, so you might find your favorite things that were missing on Sunday. Furthermore, this is often when the new clearance markdowns for the week are being applied, as mentioned in the previous tip. Arriving early on a weekday morning gives you the first pick of newly restocked sale items and freshly marked-down clearance goods.
8. Stack your coupons
This is where the real magic happens for expert savers. Yes, you can combine Target Circle offers with manufacturer coupons, Target store coupons, and Target RedCard discounts to save money on a single item in four different ways. This is called coupon stacking, and Target is one of the best places to do it. It requires a bit of organization, but the payoff can be huge.
First of all, if you check out with Target Circle coupons and offers, ask the cashier to first ring up the products you buy. After that, scan the Target store coupons (which can be found in the weekly ad or mailed to you) and follow up with the manufacturer’s coupons (which you can find online or in newspapers). Lastly, give the employee the Target Circle barcode in your app to scan for your personalized deals, and then use your RedCard to make a payment to receive 5% off the entire final amount. Following this order ensures each discount applies correctly for maximum savings.
9. Spot the stickers
Another way to save money at Target is to spot the clearance stickers. The employees will apply red or yellow labels to items with a decreased price during clearance sales. The yellow stickers indicate a temporary price cut, while the red stickers signify a permanent clearance markdown. These things will be positioned at the ends of the aisle or along the end caps. But true bargain hunters know to look closer at the sticker itself. In the top right corner, you’ll often see a small number (15, 30, 50, 70, or 90). This tells you the percentage that the item has been marked down from its original price. If you see something you like at 30% or 50% off, you have to decide whether to buy it now or risk waiting for it to be marked down to 70%. So if you stumble across a yellow or red sticker, you can be certain that you found the deal of the day.
Do you need help carrying your groceries from the store to your home? Say no more! This handy cart is exactly what you need to give your arms a break and fit everything you need. Check it out, because grocery shopping has never been easier!
10. Try out products that are usually only available online
While online shopping can be fun and useful, you can avoid some of the hassles thanks to the fact that Target offers a variety of things that are typically exclusively available online. Target has become a physical showroom for many direct-to-consumer brands, allowing you to see, touch, and test products before you commit.
According to the staff, the store has an arrangement with the online shaving company Harry’s, so if you’ve wanted to try items within the Harry’s or Flamingo catalogs, you might be able to find them at Target. This eliminates shipping costs and wait times. Moreover, the store has a comparable partnership with the personal care brand Native, and they also carry several pillows and blankets from Casper Mattresses. More recently, Target has incorporated large Ulta Beauty and Disney “store-within-a-store” sections. If you want to test the products and feel the material before making an online purchase, visit the store and get the best of both worlds.
11. Don’t rush
If you want to save money at Target and prefer to shop online, take your time. Rushing through your online order can cause you to miss out on digital coupons or better deals. You can use Target’s curbside pickup option, called Drive Up, for contactless delivery right to your car, which is a fantastic way to avoid impulse buys inside the store. But you can also save more on a few things when you shop with cashback and rewards programs like Rakuten. By initiating your shopping trip through a cashback portal, you can earn a percentage back on your total purchase, which is an extra layer of savings on top of all the other Target-specific discounts.
12. Download the Target app
Another easy way to save money at Target is to download their app. This is non-negotiable for the modern Target shopper. Not only you will be the first to know of their in-store deals and coupons, which you can save with a single tap, but you can also build and share your shopping list, and pay if you link your RedCard. The app is also your portal to all Target Circle offers. One of its most powerful features is the barcode scanner. If you see an item in the store, you can scan it with the app to check the price, see if there are any available Circle offers for it, and even check inventory at nearby stores.
13. Check out post-holiday deals
Many stores want to clear out stock after a holiday or a specific season, and Target is no exception. This is one of the best times to score deep discounts. So if you want to get more with less, the staff recommends shopping the week after a holiday to get up to 50% off particular products like decor, themed candy, and paper goods. According to them, the offers will be available for up to a week or two, with discounts continuously increasing over the days until everything is sold. Typically, items start at 30-50% off, then drop to 70% off after a few days, and finally, anything left over might hit 90% off. It’s the perfect time to stock up for next year.
14. Never be afraid to match prices
Just like many other large retailers, Target doesn’t shy away from matching promotions from rival businesses. This policy ensures you’re always getting a competitive price. Experts state that the store will not only match any local competitor’s print ad pricing but also match any internet price for any of their products from a select list of online retailers, including Amazon.com, Walmart.com, and BestBuy.com.
Therefore, even if you’re shopping in-store, it takes just a few seconds to pull out your phone and check online to see if any promotions could lower the price. Simply show the lower price on your phone to the cashier at checkout. They even match prices for up to 14 days after you make a purchase, so if you buy an item and it goes on sale later or you find it cheaper elsewhere, you can bring your receipt to Guest Services for a price adjustment. Keep this in mind.
15. Take a rain check
I know it can be annoying to go to the store with a fabulous deal in mind from the weekly ad, only to show up and see that they no longer have your desired item in stock. It’s a common frustration, especially with popular sale items. However, there’s no need to be upset or miss out on the deal. You can ask a cashier or an employee at Guest Services for a rain check. This slip of paper guarantees you the sale price on that item for the next 30 to 45 days. You might be lucky and get a product at a sale price once it’s back in stock, long after the original sale period has ended. Note that rain checks are typically not offered for clearance items.
16. Check the seasonal section
If you want to save money at Target and are looking for a special product but can’t find it in its designated aisle, the staff will sometimes place sale items in the seasonal section. This area, often located at the back of the store, is a rotating home for holiday items, back-to-school gear, or summer patio furniture. It’s also a common dumping ground for clearance items from all over the store that need a home. So, if you need that product, don’t forget to check out the seasonal section. You might find a clearance lamp mixed in with Halloween decorations or discounted kitchen gadgets hiding among the patio cushions. It’s an often-overlooked spot for hidden deals.
17. Don’t forget about the retailer’s trade-in program
If you’ve recently bought a new gadget, such as a laptop, phone, or any other electronic device, don’t forget about the retailer’s trade-in program for your next purchases. You can bring in old electronics like smartphones, tablets, video games, and smart watches to the electronics counter. Many people have no idea that they can recycle used electronics in-store and receive instant cash in the form of a Target gift card. The value is loaded onto the card immediately and can be used for any purchase in the store. It’s a really good method to be friendly with the environment, declutter your home, and still save money on your next Target run, so keep it in mind.
18. Use a receipt-scanning app
There are many ways you can save money at Target, and their app isn’t the only method for leveraging your smartphone. You can save money after you’ve already paid by using a third-party app. I once used a receipt scanning app to save on the backend, and I managed to save around $20 on a single grocery trip. It might not be much, but it’s very helpful when you’re trying to put some cash aside. Apps like Ibotta, Fetch Rewards, and Checkout 51 reward you for buying specific products or brands. All you have to do is scan your receipt after your shopping trip. So, in conclusion, look this up before shopping, because who doesn’t like to have more money, right?
19. Don’t forget about the registry discount
If you’re getting ready for a big life event, such as a wedding, the arrival of a new baby, or even sending a child off to college, you can easily create a Target registry and watch the savings pile up. It’s simple to set up online or in-store. After your event date has passed, the retailers help their customers by offering approximately 15% discounts on items that aren’t purchased from the registry. This “completion discount” is a fantastic way to buy the remaining essentials you still need at a significantly reduced price. This can help you save a lot of money and focus on other important things that day. Every single cent will add up to big savings, so keep this in mind for any major life milestone.
20. Shop off-season
You already know that one smart way to save money at every store is to shop off-season, and this retailer is no different. This requires some forward-thinking but yields some of the biggest discounts. If you go to Target, you’ll find several offers thanks to their Cyber Monday and Black Friday deals, which are great for holiday shopping.
However, both of these periods are pretty busy, and if you don’t like crowds, you can always get the same product throughout the year by shopping at the end of a season. For instance, if you love clothing from Target, buying it off-season is a fantastic way to save money. Buy swimsuits and sandals in late August or September. Look for patio furniture and grills in the fall. Whoever said that you don’t need to get a puffer jacket in mid-July had no idea how much money they could save when winter coats are marked down by 70%.
21. Earn free gift cards with Fetch Rewards
Many smartphone coupon apps, such as Checkout 51 and Ibotta, allow customers to make purchases at certain stores and save money on groceries by pre-selecting offers for specific items. But if you want to take this to the next level with minimal effort, you should check out Fetch Rewards. This is a more recent addition to the realm of receipt scanning apps, and many people use it because it simplifies the process even further. There’s no need to clip coupons or choose offers beforehand.
Speaking of that, thanks to this app, you can purchase from more than a dozen companies in the US and get cash back. It doesn’t matter which stores you shop at; you still get cash back as long as partner brands are included on your receipt. Simply scan any and every grocery receipt and the app will automatically find points for you based on the brands you purchased.
So if you want to save money at Target, all you have to do is use the Fetch Rewards app on your Android or iOS device to scan your receipt within 14 days of making your purchase. Moreover, you can exchange your Fetch Reward points for several gift cards, including Target.com gift cards. According to customers, apps such as Ibotta have a $20 minimum cash-out requirement, while Fetch Rewards has a $3 minimum, making it much faster and easier to redeem your rewards.
Check out this app, because it’s a fantastic way to reduce your food bill and save money on future Target purchases without any extra work.
22. Install a shopping browser extension
As you already know, there are several types of shopping browser extensions available that make saving money online completely automatic. Some of them award cash back for purchasing products at retailer partners, while others will offer customers price comparison tools or automatic coupons at the register. They are simple to install and work in the background while you shop.
Another excellent way to save money at Target.com is to use one or more of the following browser extensions: Another great thing is that you can stack these savings or cash-back benefits with your Target REDcard and other credit card benefits, creating multiple layers of savings on a single transaction.
- Rakuten – if you sign up for a free Rakuten account or check it out before shopping at our retailer, you can earn 1% cash back or more, depending on current promotions. You just click an activation button from the Rakuten website or extension before you shop. Rakuten pays you through PayPal or a “Big Fat Check” every quarter, as long as you have at least $5 in your account; it’s a reliable way to get money back for shopping you were already doing.
- Honey – this is a free browser extension that immediately and automatically searches for and applies any eligible coupon codes at checkout to help you save money. You no longer have to search for codes yourself. Honey also gives customers Honey Gold points on many purchases, which are equivalent to cashback. These points can be redeemed for complimentary gift cards at different retailers, including major outlets like Amazon, Target, and Walmart; it’s a two-for-one savings tool.
- Capital One Shopping – save even more money at Target with this incredible browser extension, which is free for everyone, not just Capital One customers. This tool will automatically apply available promo codes to your order, much like Honey, but it also has a powerful price comparison feature that will discreetly check for a better price at other retailers while you shop.
- TopCashback – this one is similar to Rakuten but is too good to be missed because it’s always worth comparing rates. Sometimes, one cashback site will have a better offer than another. A while ago, TopCashback would offer Target customers 2.25% in cashback. Since these rates can constantly vary, it’s worth checking TopCashback to see what the cashback rate is the next time you shop to ensure you’re maximizing your return.
Even though the cashback and free coupons you get when using these platforms aren’t always significant on a single purchase, over time, they’ll add on to a substantial amount. Since you need groceries and household supplies all the time, you can end up saving a lot in a year, so there’s no harm in installing these shopping browser extensions, is there? It’s essentially free money for doing nothing extra. Don’t miss out on these incredible browser extensions!
Do you know any other methods on how to save money at Target? This list is a great starting point, but the community of savers is always discovering new tricks. We love getting more with less, so if you have any tips for us, don’t gatekeep! Let’s chat in the comments! Sharing your personal strategies could help someone else save on their next family shopping trip.
If you find this article helpful and want to check out something else from The Price Makers, here’s a good post for you: 16 Extremely Overpriced Foods That Don’t Deserve a Spot on Your Grocery List Once you’ve mastered saving at Target, let’s tackle your grocery list next!
