Photo by Kevin Dooley
I don’t know about you but I shop at Target on a weekly basis. Not only is Target conveniently located near our home, there are also various ways to save money shopping at Target that are not available at other big-box retailers and smaller stores. Today I will share the three easiest ways to save money shopping at Target. These are not time-consuming tasks and can save you hundreds every year if you use them consistently.
1) Target REDcard
People hate store credit cards so much that they often overlook the Target REDcard. Most assume that because it is a store card that it is a retail credit card. The Target REDcard does not have to be a credit card! When you sign up for it you can choose to have it function like a check card. Every time you make a transaction, it will deduct from your linked checking account. The benefit? The REDcard gives you 5% off every single purchase. Even better is the fact that you can get free shipping at Target.com if you use your REDcard.
If you shop at Target and don’t use a REDcard debit card, you are leaving money on the table every time you make a purchase.
2) Target.com Coupons
Target has printable coupons printable coupons at Target.com that you should definitely utilize if you regularly shop at Target. Even if you aren’t big on couponing, stopping by the site before your shopping trip and checking if there are coupons for the items you are about to purchase should save you at least a little money on things you would purchase anyway. There are new coupons added at least weekly (if not daily, I don’t know their exact refresh schedule), so start printing out coupons before your trip and start saving money.
3) Pharmacy Rewards
Target pharmacy has a rewards program that is pretty simple and straightforward: fill five prescriptions, get a coupon for 5% off all your purchases for a full day. Not that you go to Target multiple times in a day, but the coupon is good all day. You can make one purchase and get 5% off and still come back later and make another purchase and get 5% off.
This is on top of the other savings I’ve mentioned. You can go to the checkout counter, use your Target coupons, use your REDcard and save 5% on your total purchase, then use your pharmacy rewards coupon and take another 5% off your entire purchase. Savings on top of savings!
Needless to say, this is a good option if you fill a lot of prescriptions. If you’re like me and have a few medical issues you are dealing with (or a chronic condition like asthma) that requires prescriptions, this reward can be a big money-saver over the year. Also, don’t forget to use your REDcard when purchasing things at the pharmacy (assuming they are things your Health Savings Account (HSA) won’t cover) because you will get 5% off of over-the-counter drugs and other medicine.
Photo by Bart
Bonus: Stack Target.com Coupons with Manufacturer Coupons
Target gives you yet another opportunity to save money: manufacturer coupons. Some grocery and retail stores do not allow you to use both a manufacturer and store coupon on the same product. Target does allow you to “stack” coupons this way, and the savings can be pretty huge (a guy behind us in line actually was in shock at how much my wife saved one time, and she largely did it through stacking coupons). Consider checking out a site like coupons.com before heading out on your Target shopping trip. You’d be surprised how often you can find both Target and manufacturer coupons for the same product.
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Do you shop at Target? Do you take advantage of all the easy savings they offer?
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I love Target. Maybe it is because I grew up in Minnesota. Maybe it is just because it is a much better store than Walmart. Regardless, I’d much rather go to Target. You’re coupon champs BTW!
GregatClubThrifty Haha yes everyone in Minnesota loves Target! And yes I do much prefer it to Walmart and sometimes wonder why Walmart stores aren’t more like Target stores.
I do shop at Target. I try not to go often though or I’ll spend too much. I have no control!
SenseofCents Yeah it’s easy to go overboard at Target, so many things to buy.
We shop at target all the time too. We’re not big couponers (mostly out of sloth) but we have the Target credit card. We only use it there, but it’s a great deal for sure.
Matt @ Mom and Dad Money I love getting my 5% off, definitely worth signing up.
We recently had some Target stores open in Canada. I don’t think they have these options but I havent checked it out yet..
Suburban Finance Yeah I Sicorra from Tackling Our Debt was saying she is unsure if they rolled these options out in Canada yet. I’d be interested to hear.
I would pretty much give my left arm to go to Target right now. Obsessed. :)
BudgetBlonde Haha I bet you can’t wait to start going regularly when you get back ;)
Great advice! I always check for printable coupons before I head to Target — lots of great deals to be had. Another way to save is to purchase discount gift cards. You can save up to 6% — more than the TargetRED Card — on purchases, plus you can stack coupons for additional savings.
HassleFreeSaver Dang I could only find some that were 4-5%, so I didn’t think it was worth mentioning! That’s awesome that you were able to find some at more than a 6% discount!
DC @ Young Adult Money HassleFreeSaver Yep! I found them through GiftCardGranny — apparently Gift Card Monkey has a few in stock for 6% off.
HassleFreeSaver Nice! I guess I did only check one site – Gift Card Rescue, so that’s probably my problem ;)
I have the REDCard and also get my prescription filled there. I have not had the opportunity to use both a REDcard and Pharmacy Rewards card…they always ask me and then see I have the REDcard and say, oh, “you have the REDcard.” Have you been able to use both simultaneously?
Eileen Connors I have always been able to use both simultaneously…looks like you need to tell the cashier what’s up! Just make sure to give them the 5% off prescription rewards coupon before you swipe your REDcard.
DC @ Young Adult Money Eileen Connors Ahh!! That is great to know. I love it. I’ve also downloaded the app someone was talking about below. Looking forward to using it!
Eileen ConnorsI definitely need to check out that app.
I LOVE the REDcard. The REDcard also provides an extended return period and FREE shipping! You can stack the REDcard savings with the Pharmacy Rewards savings, as well as additional coupons. With the REDcard you can also pick a school and link it to your card and Target will donate 1% of all your purchases to the school of your choice. When you check out at Target you often receive more coupons. Also, you get 5 cents off for every reusable bag you use at Target! Bring your own cup to the Starbucks in Target and save 10 cents as well.
HeatherShue Looks like I have some more things to add to the list! Thanks for sharing.
Target Cartwheel is great, too! Tons of coupons you can add right on your phone and use repeatedly until the expiration date. Deals I’ve seen range from 5-20% off of an item, such as a certain clothing brand, paper towels or certain food type. The app gives you a barcode that the cashier scans, and any discounts you have will apply right away. I just downloaded it last week and have loved it so far!
KelseyJass Oh I think you mentioned that to me a while back! I NEED to check it out! If it’s another way to save at Target, I’m on board!
I do shop at Target, but I haven’t gotten a REDcard yet. Now I feel like I should! It sounds convenient if it just links up with your checking account. I will have to do more coupon-scouting as well. Thanks for the tips!
JourneytoSaving You definitely should get the check/debit card, it’s such a great deal. Checking Target.com for coupons should help you save a few more $ as well.
Buy Target brand everything. It is just as good as all of the name brand stuff!
ayoungpro For sure, I actually really like the fit and look of their boot cut jeans. I have quite a few of them!
Target is slowly opening across Canada this year. We finally went to one a few weeks ago. Yes the ones here do offer the 5% credit card, and I just looked at their website and there were 4 pages of coupons. I was excited to go check it out but once we walked through it was no big deal. Yes I did find a few things to be on sale at super low price, but not sure how often we will go back. One thing we noticed is that they definitely hired way too many staff members. I guess they expected a big rush of new customers or something. A lot of staff were just standing around with nothing to do. Oh, and they have a Starbucks. That was funny.
For shopping for that kind of stuff I think my preference is Walmart Superstore.
TacklingOurDebt Haha yes they do have a Starbucks and have started opening them with Starbucks! Come on you gotta give Target a chance! Target is THEE place to shop. It may or may not have started in Minnesota as well….
I have been a long time Target shopper for household items, I have since added some selective other items particularly when I got the 5% rebate credit card. I like the idea of the immediate rebate. I think Target competes very well with the big box stores.
krantcents1I think they are finding good ways to appeal to a various demographics. Options like the REDcard debit card are appealing in the age of shoppers trying to save as much as they can off list price.
As some know, I shop at Target quite a bit because it is close, clean, and I can save some money. I use all of these methods and I like the savings that I get. I know that when I wrote about how Target owns my soul, I was ostracized by some because they thought a man shouldn’t shop at Target. I don’t mind telling people that I shop there.
DebtRoundUp What?!? Should men shop at Walmart instead? WTH?
DC @ Young Adult Money Apparently men are only supposed to shop at outdoor stores. Who knew?
I’m really feeling jealous of you this week. Low cost smart phone and Target. Two things that are not available to me. If you start talking about sporting events and concerts next week, I might have to move.
Eyesonthedollar I hope they put a Target in your area, Kim!