Fact: Shopping at Target is a lot of fun. There are so many great items there that it’s easy to overspend. Fortunately, there are just as many tricks to shopping at the Bullseye - from paying attention to their markdown schedule to shopping the end caps - to help you stick to your budget and save some cash, too. Here are 10 of our favorite tips and tricks to help you save money on your next Target run:
1. Take note of Target’s markdown schedule. Shop on the days that the department has markdowns and you will save. On Monday, shop for electronics, accessories, kids’ clothing, books, baby, and stationary. On Tuesday, shop for food, domestics, pets, and women’s clothing. On Wednesday, shop for health and beauty items, lawn and garden, and men’s clothing. On Thursday, shop for housewares, luggage, lingerie, toys, shoes, sporting goods, and décor. On Friday, shop for jewelry, cosmetics, auto, and hardware.
2. Sign up for Target’s mobile coupon program on the Target app. In the app, tap “mobile coupons” to sign up for the program. After you do this, you will receive ongoing coupons, plus text message reminders when your coupons are about to expire.
3. Check out the seasonal clearance. After-holiday sales will give you big savings and when the holiday rolls around again, you'll already have most of what you need. Generally, items are 50% off the day after the holiday, 75% off three days after the holiday, and 90% off a week after the holiday.
4. Always check the dollar section. There are some great things in the Dollar Spot and sometimes, you’ll be able to find what you’re looking for in this section rather than elsewhere in the store (think gift bags, greeting cards, office supplies) so you will save big. Just be aware that not all items are $1.00 so read the labels carefully.
5. If you shop at Target often, consider getting the Target Red Card. You will get 5% off the day you sign up for the card and every day that you use it. You will also get 30 extra days for returns and free shipping on Target’s website. You have the option of getting a debit or credit card, so choose which one works best for you.
6. Use Target Cartwheel, Target’s social coupon program. Cartwheel has hundreds of coupons everyday for items across departments. Download the app, sign up for the program, choose the coupons you want to use, and then the cashier will scan the barcode to deduct the coupons. I like to use the "scan barcode" feature on my smartphone to see if products I'm buying have corresponding coupons. Each coupon can be used up to four times and each one can be used with other Target coupons and with manufacturer coupons.
7. Shop the end caps. For the uninitiated, the end caps are the shelves at the back end of each aisle and usually have clearance items on them. I'm always finding goodies there!
8. Look for Target’s regular gift card deals. These deals are clearly marked throughout the store and in the weekly ad (posted near the entrance of the store, too). Usually, these deals involve buying something in bulk and getting a free gift card in return (usually worth $5). It’s worth it if the item is something you regularly buy. Buying it in bulk is an even better idea when you’re getting a free gift card in return. Just last week I got a $5 Target gift card for buying multi-vitamins that I needed anyways.
9. Pay attention to sale prices. If the price ends in $0.08 or $0.06, the item will be marked down again. If you want a better deal, consider waiting for the item to be marked down again. On the other hand, if the price ends in $0.04, it will not be marked down again and that is the best price. Keep in mind that clearance items go fast at Target.
10. Bring your own bag. Most Targets will give you $0.05 for each bag that you use. Considering how many trips we all take to Target each month, the savings will start to add up...and you'll be doing something good for the environment!
Bonus Tip: Use the "scan barcode" feature in the Target app (not Cartwheel just the regular Target mobile app) when you're in the store to find items in different colors or sizes that might not be available in store, and might be cheaper online at Target.com. You can also save your items to lists, making it easier to find things later on.
2. Sign up for Target’s mobile coupon program on the Target app. In the app, tap “mobile coupons” to sign up for the program. After you do this, you will receive ongoing coupons, plus text message reminders when your coupons are about to expire.
3. Check out the seasonal clearance. After-holiday sales will give you big savings and when the holiday rolls around again, you'll already have most of what you need. Generally, items are 50% off the day after the holiday, 75% off three days after the holiday, and 90% off a week after the holiday.
4. Always check the dollar section. There are some great things in the Dollar Spot and sometimes, you’ll be able to find what you’re looking for in this section rather than elsewhere in the store (think gift bags, greeting cards, office supplies) so you will save big. Just be aware that not all items are $1.00 so read the labels carefully.
5. If you shop at Target often, consider getting the Target Red Card. You will get 5% off the day you sign up for the card and every day that you use it. You will also get 30 extra days for returns and free shipping on Target’s website. You have the option of getting a debit or credit card, so choose which one works best for you.
6. Use Target Cartwheel, Target’s social coupon program. Cartwheel has hundreds of coupons everyday for items across departments. Download the app, sign up for the program, choose the coupons you want to use, and then the cashier will scan the barcode to deduct the coupons. I like to use the "scan barcode" feature on my smartphone to see if products I'm buying have corresponding coupons. Each coupon can be used up to four times and each one can be used with other Target coupons and with manufacturer coupons.
7. Shop the end caps. For the uninitiated, the end caps are the shelves at the back end of each aisle and usually have clearance items on them. I'm always finding goodies there!
8. Look for Target’s regular gift card deals. These deals are clearly marked throughout the store and in the weekly ad (posted near the entrance of the store, too). Usually, these deals involve buying something in bulk and getting a free gift card in return (usually worth $5). It’s worth it if the item is something you regularly buy. Buying it in bulk is an even better idea when you’re getting a free gift card in return. Just last week I got a $5 Target gift card for buying multi-vitamins that I needed anyways.
9. Pay attention to sale prices. If the price ends in $0.08 or $0.06, the item will be marked down again. If you want a better deal, consider waiting for the item to be marked down again. On the other hand, if the price ends in $0.04, it will not be marked down again and that is the best price. Keep in mind that clearance items go fast at Target.
10. Bring your own bag. Most Targets will give you $0.05 for each bag that you use. Considering how many trips we all take to Target each month, the savings will start to add up...and you'll be doing something good for the environment!
Bonus Tip: Use the "scan barcode" feature in the Target app (not Cartwheel just the regular Target mobile app) when you're in the store to find items in different colors or sizes that might not be available in store, and might be cheaper online at Target.com. You can also save your items to lists, making it easier to find things later on.
Photo Credit: Keegan Brewster
Wishes & Reality
xx
Mademoiselle Coconath
http://mllecoconath.com