Target has become known as the bougie version of discount store shopping. While it’s a little more expensive than its biggest competitor, Wal-Mart, Target is known for having brightly light, clean, well-organized stores that many people find more relaxing to shop in. The mega-stores have everything from clothes and toys to groceries and pharmacies. You can even grab a Starbucks on your way out in many locations.
Moms and teachers especially love Target, and there are lots of Target enthusiasts you can follow on social media such as Target Therapy and Target Junkie. If you spend a lot of time leisurely strolling through the aisles at your local Target and want to find ways to curb your spending, you’ve come to the right place. Here are a bunch of tips to help you save money at checkout time.
1. All About The Target Red Card
The Target Red Card has many perks and advantages. There are two types to choose from. You can choose a Red Card account that is connected to your bank account like a normal debit card, or you can apply for a credit card. The card has the same advantages, either way, so choose the one that’s right for you. Here are some of the advantages of the Red Card.
- 5% off at Target stores and online
- Free shipping on most items on Target.com
- Exclusive deals
- More time for returns
- 5% off at Target Starbucks locations
- 5% off on specialty gift cards for travel, restaurants, movie tickets, and more
- You’ll get 5% off even on top of clearance prices
2. Using Target Circle To Get Insider Deals And Cash Back
Target recently replaced its Cartwheel loyalty program with Target Circle. Target Circle is easily accessible in the latest Target app, and you can easily use it in stores by scanning the app or entering your phone number at checkout. Here are some of the great benefits of the Target Circle loyalty program:
- 1% cash back to redeem at Target on a later date (or 5% with Target Red Card)
- Hundreds Of Deals just for you; see them in the app
- Birthday Gift of 5% off
- Community Support through the App
- Use the app to manage your Target account and orders
Every day you will find tons of offers and coupons on the Target app to use in stores or online. For example, you could log in today and see 25% off one toy or book, 10% off electronics, or a $5 gift card rebate with any beauty purchase.
3. Find Target Coupon Codes On Koopy.Com
If you do a lot of shopping online, don’t make another purchase without checking for a coupon code at Koopy.com. You’ll easily find all the current Target coupon codes in one place. It will even tell you how long ago the deal was posted. Some deals and coupons can be used together, and some cannot so pay attention to what will give you the best price at checkout.
4. Rumors Of Scheduled Deal Days
It could be just rumors and speculation, but many people have claimed to have figured out when Target rolls out their deals. The mythical deal days have circulated for years, and here is the current breakdown:
- Monday: Electronics, accessories, kids’ clothing, books, baby, stationery
- Tuesday: Domestic goods, women’s clothing, pets, market (food items)
- Wednesday: Men’s clothing, health & beauty, diapers, lawn & garden, furniture
- Thursday: Houseware, lingerie, shoes, toys, sporting goods, decor & luggage
- Friday: Auto, cosmetics, hardware, jewelry
Have you found this to be true where you live? These tips might be regional and could be thrown out of whack by upcoming holidays and events.
5. Target Clearance Tips
There are multiple ways to save with clearance at Target. In stores, you can find clearance spots throughout the store, typically located on the end caps. On the label on the upper right-hand side, there will be a tiny number, that is the percentage off. If a clearance sticker has a tiny 30 in the upper right corner, that means that item is 30% off its regular price.
6. The Target Dollar Spot
One of the most popular Target specials is the Dollar Spot located right in front of the store. It’s the very first thing you’ll see when you walk in. This magical spot is a hodge-podge collection of fun season items, including toys, gifts, and decor items. You’ll have a great time digging in and seeing what you can find. Kids and teachers both love the dollar spot for decorations and trinkets.
The dollar sport was so popular that they made a version of it online on the Target website called Bullseye’s Playground. It’s another great place to digitally dig for deals. Holiday items, back to school items, seasonal, and other special events are all celebrated at the dollar spot. You’ll find a lot of $1 items and some larger items for up to $5. It’s the perfect place to find stocking stuffers for Christmas!
7. How To Earn Target Gift Cards While Shopping At Target
Many of Target’s deals involve getting an instant rebate in the form of a gift card at checkout. If you use Target’s pharmacy, you’ll earn a rebate gift card after every 10 medication refills. There are often deals on any given day where a specific purchase or a purchase in a specific department will earn you a small gift card, usually $5.
Just like their loyalty program, this is a great way of keeping customers coming back for more. Target is the master of getting you in the door, then letting you get sucked into a shopping vortex where you walk out hours later with 15 items when you only came for one.
8. Massive After-Holiday Sales And The Black Friday Event
Most Target locations follow a predictable discount schedule after a holiday. You’ll normally see 50 percent off the day after the holiday, 75 percent off three days after, and 90 percent off a week after. You’ll get the deepest discounts at the end of that week, but most of the good stuff will be gone. If you have your eye on something, better grab it fast.
Black Friday is always a great time to get massive savings at your favorite stores just in time for Christmas. Target has great Black Friday deals and often starts them well in advance both in stores and online. In 2020 Target decided to start their Black Friday deals on November 1st, giving cash-strapped shoppers plenty of time to get their Christmas lists checked off.
9. Use Target For Your Wedding or Baby Registry
Target is a great place to make a gift registry because they are a one-stop-shop with tons of categories of inventory. There is truly something for everyone. You can build your registry in stores or online and share it with family and friends. You’ll also get a 15% discount on everything left on your registry after the big day. You will also be able to return gift registry items without a receipt because there is a record in the registry for you.
10. Target Reusable Bags Give A Small Return
When you carry out your purchases using a Target reusable shopping bag, you’ll get 5 cents off your bill for each bag used. It’s a small sum, but every little bit helps, right? Also, if you grocery shop at Target, you can easily use ten bags per week, which will equal a savings of $26 in one year. You’ll also be helping save the planet and reduce climate change.
11. More Ways To Get Cheap Or Free Target Gift Cards
Besides earning rebates, there are other ways to get discounted or free gift cards. First of all, you can check out gift card-pool sites like Raise.com and Cardpool.com. These sites use bulk purchase power to get you discounted gift cards to use at your favorite stores. You can also earn gift cards from Target at Swagbucks, where you watch ads and play games for points to spend on gift cards.
Head to Target With Your 11 Savings Tips
Now you know everything you need to know to get the best deals on your favorite items at Target. When you’re saving this much money, you no longer have to feel guilty about your frequent Tar-jay runs while the kids are at school.
Target is a great place to buy quality discounted home decor and essentials as well as gifts and even groceries. If you haven’t already, check out the Target brand grocery items labeled “Market Pantry” and compare them to the brand you know and love.
That’s all the tips we have for now. Comment below and let us know if we’ve missed any!
