Simple Ways to Save Money at Target

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure for more info.

I have been shopping at Target for years, and it wasn’t until the last couple of years that I took advantage of the many ways to save at Target. These methods of saving are so simple that I wish I would’ve started using them sooner. I can only imagine how much money I could have saved over the years.

Simple Ways to Save Money at Target

Apply for a REDcard

For a long time, I did not apply for a REDcard for the same reasons that many do not apply for store cards. Nobody wants another credit card. It’s just more to keep up with. The Target REDcard is actually worth it though. Here’s why. My favorite perk is saving 5 percent at checkout. It’s not a cash back thing that you’ll get months from now; it’s 5 percent off your total right then at checkout. That’s 5 bucks for every 100 dollars you spend at Target. That may not seem like much, but let’s say you spend 100 dollars per month at Target. That’s 60 bucks per year just from using your REDcard alone. Easy money. I do a lot of grocery shopping at SuperTarget, so I end up spending more than 100 dollars per month leading to more savings at the register.

Other perks include free shipping at Target.com, 30 extra days for returns, and not having to keep up with receipts for returns. They can just pull your purchases from your REDcard. So convenient. As far as the headache that can come along with having another credit card, I have my card set up for automatic payments with my bank. I don’t have to think about making payments on time; it pulls the statement amount from my bank account automatically each month. They also have the debit card option if you prefer that instead.

Sign up for Cartwheel

Cartwheel is a Target app for your phone that also allows you to save money at checkout. It’s super easy to use. Once you have the app on your phone, you can just scan your items into the app while shopping. It will tell you if it has a deal for the product. It may be 5 percent off; it may be 50 percent off or something in between. You can add the deal, and it will store it for you. At check out, the cashier can scan your app, and you can watch the savings come off of your final total. They have deals on many items from apparel to groceries, housewares, etc… You can also plan your shopping trip in the app ahead of time to save you from having to scan in the store.

Take Advantage of GiftCard Offers In-Store

Target has gift card offers all the time. You can check out which gift card offers they have ahead of time online or you can just keep an eye out for the tags when shopping. If it’s a gift card offer, it will have a picture of a gift card along with the amount that you’ll receive. This is not a mail-in rebate; they will give you the gift card at checkout. You cannot use the gift card on that transaction, but you can do two transactions. For example, if I took advantage of the offer in the picture above, I would check out with the diaper super packs first, complete that transaction and receive the $10 gift card, and then start a new transaction with my remaining items. I would then be able to use the gift card on the second transaction. This allows you to save the money that day rather than on your next shopping trip.

Take Advantage of GiftCard Offers on Coupons in the Mail or Newspaper

Target will send out coupons in the mail and/or newspaper that offer a $10 GiftCard (or $10 off) with a $50 food and/or beverage purchase, for example. I don’t take the newspaper, but I always look at the coupons that come in the mail.

Text to Save In-Store

Take a look at the signs around the products in the aisles in which you shop. You may see a coupon being offered if you text a particular word to “TARGET.” It will then text you the coupon, and you will be able to use your coupon from your phone at checkout.

Shop Online at Ebates

Oh how I wish I knew about Ebates sooner. Ebates is a free cash back website with over 2,000 participating stores. Target is one of them. If you do any online shopping, Ebates is worth checking out. I have a whole post that explains how it works and how to sign up for free: How To Earn Cash Back with Ebates. It is such a simple way to save!

Bring Your Own Bags

Bring your own reusable bags, and Target will take 5 cents off your total for every bag you use at checkout.

Pick up a Free Piece of Fresh Fruit or Cookie

You can get a free piece of fresh fruit or cookie for your child (12 and under) at the bakery counter at SuperTarget. Cookies always make my toddler and preschooler much happier shopping buddies. Great idea, SuperTarget!