Shoppers nationwide claim Target is their “personal happy place,” and we can wholeheartedly, 100% agree that it is our happiest of places to go, too. Target is bright, clean, organized, affordable, and it has everything to bring a bunch of cheer to your day – under one roof.
But just because the prices are reasonable doesn’t mean there aren’t even more ways to save at the popular retailer. Check out our expert tips so you can navigate the aisles of Target like a boss.
Related: The Jungalow for Target Spring Collection Is Here (and Will Sell Out Fast!)
How To Save at Target
1. Join the Target Circle Loyalty Program
Signing up for the Target Circle program (formerly Target Cartwheel) might be the easiest things you’ll ever do – and it’s totally free, too. As a Circle member, you’ll earn 1% cash back for every eligible Target purchase (in-store, online and through the Target app) and receive periodic Target Circle Bonus opportunities for extra rewards.
Plus, you get special deals and perks like birthday discounts, early access to sales, personalized deals and votes for eligible nonprofit donations. If you forget to use your Target Circle ID on a purchase, you have seven days to add the receipt to your account.
Note: Target Circle earnings expire if you haven’t earned or redeemed rewards for one year.
Target Circle Earnings
As a member of Target Circle, anytime you use a non-RedCard to pay for your purchases, you earn 1% of the eligible purchase price as Target Circle Earnings rewards. If you’re a Target Circle member and you use a RedCard to pay for your purchases, you’ll save 5% instead of getting the Target Circle 1% earnings.
Target Circle Bonus
Target Circle members can receive a Target Circle Bonus from time to time. It’s a personalized offer and a chance to earn extra Target Circle rewards by making qualifying purchases in-store or online, depending on the details of your offer. Find your active Target Circle Bonus through the Target app and on your Dashboard at Target.com.
Target Birthday Coupon
After you’ve signed up for Target’s Circle Program, make sure you include your birth date info. This pretty much guarantees Target gives you a birthday gift, usually a 5% discount on a future purchase during your birthday month. You’ll find your birthday reward in your Target Circle Wallet. It’s valid for 30 days after you receive it.
2. Sign Up for a Target RedCard
Target’s RedCard is your very best friend, and it comes two ways. As a debit card, it’s tied to your bank account. This version allows you to withdraw up to $40 in cash at checkout. As a credit card, it works, well, like a credit card.
You can choose which one you prefer, but if you apply for the credit card, it’s “subject to approval.” Regardless of which you choose, you’ll receive an extra 5% off your purchases, free shipping and an extra 30 days to return any items. Plus, there’s no annual fee and you’ll get exclusive offers.
3. Use Target’s Price Match Guarantee
Target offers shoppers its Price Match Guarantee on every in-store and online purchase. You can get a price match if you find an item for a lower price at one of Target’s select competitors, either at the time you purchase the item or 14 days after your purchase. All you do is bring in proof of the lower price and Target adjusts your purchase price.
4. Stack Your Coupons During Checkout
You can combine Target Circle offers with Target store coupons, manufacturer coupons and Target RedCard discounts, meaning it’s possible to save four ways on the same item.
If you’re checking out with Target Circle offers and coupons, have the cashier first ring up the items you’re buying. Next, have them scan the Target store coupons, followed by the manufacturer coupons. Then, have them scan your Target Circle member barcode, and finally, pay with your Target RedCard, which gives you 5% off instantly.
Savings Tip: If you bring your own bag with you to the store, Target gives you $.05 off per bag used. It’s not a huge amount, but it adds to your potential savings.
5. Check the Target Sales Ad
Target runs weekly savings ads letting you know which goodies will be on sale. Most often, the sales run from Sunday through Saturday, with new product sales every Sunday. In addition, there may be special seasonal offers, like back-to-school or holiday savings.
6. Shop the Annual Target Sales
There are certain times of the year where you can score the most savings and rack up the most cash back. These are those special times when you need to make it a point to shop at Target:
Deal Days Sale
Usually coinciding with Amazon’s Prime Day, Target offers its Deal Days to steer traffic aways from the giant online retailer. Last year’s Deal Days happened in June and October, so check back when the event makes another appearance this year. You’ll find savings of up to 50% on electronics, clothing, home decor and more.
Black Friday Sale
Target announced its plans to close every Thanksgiving Day – for forever. But that mean plenty of deals will probably start popping up even before the official Turkey Day hits. Experienced shoppers know they find the best deals on electronics, toys, clothing and more, during the Black Friday weekend.
So, as you’re cutting into that turkey, plan to carve out time to hit Target’s Black Friday sale, which might start early online. Mark your calendar for Nov. 24 this year and check out the Target Black Friday ad as soon as it’s released.
Cyber Monday Sale
Cyber Monday is one of the last times to score big discounts on holiday gifts. And Target’s Cyber Monday rarely disappoints. Last year’s Cyber Monday deals included major savings on Christmas decor, the Apple Watch Series 6, buy one, get one on select toys and much more. Mark your calendar for Nov. 28 this year.
7. Shop During a No-Tax Weekend in Your State
Most states offer a weekend of shopping that’s (almost) 100% tax-free. It comes around at different times, depending on your state, but a lot of states hold theirs in the weeks before back-to-school rolls around. Since it includes clothing, backpacks and school supplies under $100, the no-tax weekend is a perfect opportunity to get heaps of stuff without the 8% or so added to your purchase. And it applies both online and in stores.
Find out when your state’s tax-free weekend takes place.
8. Get a Discount With Target’s Car Seat Trade-in Event
If you’re a parent or a soon-to-be parent, then you know how often your offspring outgrows clothes, shoes and car seats. But car seats also come with expiration dates. To ensure your child is the safest every time they’re riding in a car, Target offers its Car Seat Trade-In Program and 20% discounts along with it. All you have to do is bring in your old or expired car seat and Target gives you 20% off towards a new one.
Look for Target’s Car Seat Trade-In Event in the spring and fall.
9. Find a Discounted Target Gift Card
Finding a discounted Target Gift Card isn’t really that hard thanks to sites like CardCookie and CardBear. These retailers can save you anywhere from 5% to 10% off.
10. Get a Completion Discount on Your Target Gift Registry
For those planning a wedding or having a baby, Target is the first place you should register. If you don’t get the one thing (or several things) that are on your wedding or baby registry, then Target gives you a 15% completion discount for any registered item.
11. Shop the Target Clearance Areas
It’s not just inside a Target store where you can find crazy clearance deals. Target’s online clearance section often offers 50% off or more of thousands of items throughout the store.
In stores, you can find clearance merch usually at either end of the aisles for most items, and for women’s clothes, it’s at the very back wall, typically close to the dressing rooms.
12. Shop the Target Dollar Spot
Target’s Dollar Spot or Bullseye’s Playground is right at the store’s entrance and is a great place to peruse, as items in this section typically start at just $1. It’s a very dangerous section to shop, or so we’ve been told.
13. Get a Target Employee Discount
Whether you’re looking for a full- or part-time job or your teenager needs to pay for their own essentials, Target is a fun place to work, and they pay really well, too – just ask my son. But besides Target offering him work experience, he also gets a 10% discount.
Even though that’s just 5% more than I get using my RedCard, it’s still additional savings. And before you ask, employees can share their discount with members of their immediate family within the same household. Since he’s still in high school and under my roof, I’ll chalk this Target discount up as another perk of momhood.
14. Get a Target Military Discount
While Target doesn’t offer a year-round military discount, the retailer celebrates service members for Veteran’s Day. But, they offer U.S. active-duty military personnel, veterans and their families discounts from time to time, usually around Veteran’s Day in November. If you qualify, keep an eye out for this year’s military discounts.
15. Use an In-store and Online Promo Code
There are countless savings options available at RetailMeNot for Target shoppers. These range from discounts on specific items to percentage-off savings. These offers change all the time, which makes it important to check back to learn about new offers.
Another savings tool from RetailMeNot is Deal Finder. This browser extension automatically finds and applies the best Target discounts online for you. So easy.
16. Shop Ulta at Target for Beauty Deals
Combine your two loves: Target Circle and Ultamate Rewards. Hopefully, you’re already an Ulta Ultamate Rewards member, and if you aren’t, why not? It’s free to join, just like Target Circle, and you get the same amazing benefits at Target as you do if you were shipping at Ulta. They also offered every event Ulta has all year at Target, including the 21 Days of Beauty in the spring and fall. It’s a win-win.
Find out when Ulta is throwing one of their spectacular events throughout the year.
How to Get Free Shipping at Target
Getting free shipping on top of the other Target discounts above is the cherry on top of any shopping experience. Because no one wants to pay for shipping, these are the best ways to get free shipping and still have your precious Target gear in hand:
Get Free 2-Day Shipping
This is the easiest way to get free shipping at Target.com. Just spend $35 (because of course we will) or more on eligible merchandise and choose Target’s two-day shipping option, and voila, you just earned free shipping. Plus, you also get free returns for items that just don’t quite fit the bill.
Use In-Store Pickup
Another great way to get free shipping and save money at Target is to use the in-store pickup option. Many times, you can pick up purchased items on the same day you order.
Use Drive-up Pickup
Using Target’s drive-up option is a free method for getting your online order without paying for shipping, and it’s super simple to use. All you have to do is download the Target App to use it. And if you picked up your order in-store when you checked out, you can always switch to Target’s drive-up service through the app.
Target recently announced its plans to add the option of ordering Starbucks to go with your Drive-up pickup order sometime this year. Stay tuned.
Use Ship-to-Store
Target can ship an order you make online directly to your local store, and you can pick it up at your convenience once it’s ready. The ship-to-store option is perfect around the holidays, so gifts stay a secret. It’s also handy if you’re concerned about the security of the delivery. But, your item arrives one day after it would have had you had shipped it directly to your house.
Use Same Day Delivery
Getting your Target gear the same day without leaving the house might be the greatest thing ever. It’s $99 a year and can be used as frequently as you need a Target fix. Or, you can pay $9.99 per delivery, so it all really depends on how often you think you’ll use it.
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