Ever wanted to know how to save more money when shopping at Target? Today I’m sharing 12 Ways to Save More Money at Target and my secret tips and tricks on how to score the absolute best deals!
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If you’ve been around my blog for awhile, you’ll know I’m a huge bargain shopper who’s always on the hunt for the best deals. Over the years I’ve acquired several money-saving tips and tricks and today is the first of many posts to come on how to save more money when shopping in your favorite stores.
Up first is an in-depth money saving guide for my favorite store (and probably yours)- Target. In case you love shopping at Target and want to know how to make your dollar stretch even further, then let’s dive right in on 12 Ways to Save More Money at Target!
12 Ways to Save More Money at Target
Get a REDcard For Extra Perks
First and foremost, if you shop at Target regularly I strongly encourage you to consider signing up for a REDcard for even more savings. You can sign up for either a REDcard credit card or a REDcard debit card, and both allow you to save an extra 5% everyday!
I personally have and recommend the REDcard debit card, because there’s no credit card fees or membership rate, it literally just links up to your bank’s checking account the same as a regular debit card, and you get the added benefit of 5% off.
REDcard Perks
- 5% Off Everything, Everyday
- Free Shipping Online On All Orders, No Minimum
- Extra 30 Days to Return Items
- 10% Off Annual Coupon on Your REDcard Signup Anniversary
- Early Access to Events and Promotions (Such as Black Friday deals)
- Exclusive Deals only for REDcard members
If interested in learning more, you can check out all the REDcard sign-up details over here.
Know The Best Days to Shop
Second, did you know you can actually save more money at Target depending on which day of the week it is? Yep, that’s right- most Target stores have a specific markdown schedule that can help you score the absolute best deals. Although each store’s markdown schedule may vary, I’ve included a general guideline for all Target stores below. Of course, Tuesday and Thursdays are my favorites! 😉
Weekly Markdown Schedule
Monday: Electronics, Kids & Baby Clothing, Stationary/Office Supplies
Tuesday: Women’s & Junior’s Clothing, Bedding Items
Wednesday: Men’s Clothing, Food, Healthy & Beauty, Lawn & Garden, Furniture, Laundry
Thursday: Toys, Pets, Housewares, Sleepwear & Lingerie, Athletic Apparel, Shoes, Sporting Goods, Home Decor
Friday: Accessories & Scarves, Cosmetics, Jewelry, Automotive
To score the freshest clearance markdowns, I suggest visiting your local Target around noon or shortly after. Please note that each store’s markdown schedule may vary, so it’s best to ask your local store’s manager and plan accordingly.
Go For The Clearance Racks
My third tip for saving more money at Target is to go for the clearance racks! When shopping for clothes in Target, it can be super tempting to want to grab all the cute items as soon as you walk into the clothing section, but keep in mind those items are all full price. Instead, I always briskly walk back to the clearance section to check out what items are on sale.
Doing this has saved me so much money over the years, and I never pay full price for anything unless it’s something I can’t live without (this has yet to happen lol).
One extra tip I’ll add about shopping the clearance racks, is always check the entire rack even if it’s not in your size section. Clothes are often placed in the wrong section by customers, and you might be able to find a hidden gem this way. I also advise shopping either early in the morning or late in the evening on weekdays, if possible. This will allow you more time to look thoroughly, without feeling crowded and overwhelmed from a busy store.
Shop Online for Weekly Deals
Another great option for saving more money at Target is shopping online. This is perfect for those who don’t live close to a Target plus you can score free shipping over orders of $35 or free shipping, no minimum if you sign up for a Target REDcard.
Each week Target offers some fantastic online only deals, where you can save a certain percentage off specific departments or items. For instance, this week Target is offering a great BOGO 50% off for all women’s swimwear and 30% off on home.
I also really love shopping online for Target’s clearance items because sometimes I can score items that aren’t in stock at my local store. I’ve found this tip to be helpful when shopping for shoe deals or deals on women clothes.
Learn The Clearance Codes
Speaking of clearance, there’s actually a system to how the clearance markdowns work at Target, and if you take the time to learn it, you’ll score some amazing deals! A lot of times people will ask me “How do I know if an item will be reduced more?”, and that’s where this amazing little trick comes into play. Target uses a specific clearance coding system, and knowing what to look for will help you always know when to buy and when to wait.
First, Target initially marks down items at 15% off, then 30% off, 50% off, and lastly 70% off. To make it easy to know what percentage off an item is, Target lists the clearance savings in the top right corner on the clearance sticker. So a 30 is 30% off, 50 is 50% off, and so on and so forth.
Second, if the price tag ends in a $0.06 or $0.08 then the item will be marked down again, as long as the item remains in stock. If it ends in a $0.04 then that means the item is final clearance and will not be marked down any further.
Check Out The Inner End Caps for Bigger Savings
If you’re an avid Target shopper, you might have noticed the clearance end caps on the main aisles throughout the store, but for bigger savings check out the inner (wall-facing) end caps. Typically the clearance items on the popular main aisles are strategically marked down only at 15-30% off, while the ones that are facing the walls typically have your deeper discounts of 50-75% off.
I’ve ended up finding great deals on bedding, sheet sets, and kitchen items this way, but typically only buy items that are 50% or more off. As always, it’s important to stay mindful of what you really need and it’s imperative to not get caught up in buying something just because it’s on “clearance”.
Take Advantage of Gift Card Promos
Frequently Target offers gift card promotions on specific products in their weekly ad or on special items throughout the store, so be sure to keep your eyes peeled for these special deals. These gift card promotions sometimes last for a week or for a full month and combined with manufacturer coupons can add up to huge savings!
The best part? You can use the gift cards you earn towards future purchases, potentially making for a free Target run! 😉
Shop the Bullseye Deal Section
Ever checked out that cute little Bullseye zone as you enter your Target store? If not, then you’re totally missing out on some adorable items and deals! From adorable seasonal decor, office supplies and accessories, school supplies, small electronics, toys, gifts, and more- there’s a little something for everyone.
Items in this section are priced anywhere from $1-$5, making it super affordable. I’ve been able to score some great deals on home decor items and office items in this section that I would have paid a lot more at other stores. You can also shop Bullseye’s Playground online over here.
Just check out these cute notepads and binder I found recently. The makeup lover in me couldn’t resist, plus I really did need some new office supplies. (win-win!)
Sign Up for Exclusive Mobile Coupons
Another way to save extra money in-store is by texting OFFERS to 827438 to have offers sent straight to your phone. I frequently use these coupons to save extra money on clothing and shoe purchases, and even better these coupons can sometimes be used on clearance items for even bigger savings.
Once you find an offer that you want to use, simply let the cashier scan the coupon’s barcode on your phone. Please note, discounts can only be used once and messaging rates do apply.
Grab the Target Cartwheel App
Another great way to save more money at Target is by grabbing their Target Cartwheel App. In addition to mobile coupons, Target has extra savings under the Cartwheel section of their app. Listed by category, you can frequently find coupon savings anywhere from 5-50% off!
Once you find an offer, simply tap the + sign and add it to your list. Upon checkout, pull up your cartwheel app, select the “my saved offers” section and allow the cashier to scan the barcode for the savings to be taken off.
You can grab the app right here (it’s free!)
Stack Discounts For BIG Savings
To save the absolute most money at Target, it’s time to learn how to combine and stack savings for a deep discount! As stated in Target’s coupon policy, customers can use one manufacturer coupon (paper or Cartwheel digital), one Target coupon (paper or digital), and one Cartwheel coupon towards a purchase.
Additionally, you can use gift cards earned on previous orders to pay for your total and save an extra 5% off if you have a REDcard.Combining all of these discounts will help you save the most money possible and it’s super easy!
Upon checkout, simply give the cashier your printed coupons and/or mobile coupons to scan in order for the discounts to be applied to your total. It’s really that easy and the savings will definitely add up and be well worth the extra effort. I always recommend checking your mobile coupons and cartwheel app before heading to your local Target store that way you never miss a deal!
So there you have my 12 Ways to Save More Money At Target! I hope you enjoyed today’s post and I hope this will help you save more money when shopping at Target in the future.
What’s your favorite way to save when shopping at Target? Let me know in the comments!
As always thanks for stopping by! – Cara
P.S. If you’ve been meaning to, you can sign up for a REDcard here and start saving an extra 5% today!
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