10 Money-Saving Secrets Target Doesn’t Want You To Know
If you frequently shop at Target, you already know this retailer can help you save money on anything from pillows to Pepsi. With nearly 2,000 stores across the U.S., the retail giant has made its reputation as a low-price mecca.
But as easy as it is to save money at Target, those with extra Target intel can save even more. Here are some money-saving tips to make your Target shopping experience better than ever.
Pick Your Day
Because most Targets mark down certain departments on specific days for clearance, knowing the schedule can help you find the best Target deals.
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“For instance, you’ll find the best deals on clearance electronics on a Monday and sporting good clearance on Thursday,” said Christy Palmer, founder of the All Things Target blog.
Here’s a schedule Palmer said is good for most Targets:
Monday: Electronics, accessories, kids’ clothing, books, baby, stationery
Tuesday: Domestic goods, women’s clothing, pets, market (food items)
Wednesday: Men’s clothing, health & beauty, diapers, lawn & garden, furniture
Thursday: Houseware, lingerie, shoes, toys, sporting goods, decor & luggage
Friday: Auto, cosmetics, hardware, jewelry
Check for Price Adjustments
Here’s a moment everyone has felt and no one likes: You finally buy that dress you’ve been wanting only to see it go on sale the next day. Well, at Target, you can get the difference between what you paid and the new sale price refunded, said Palmer.
So, if an item you bought goes on sale within 14 days of purchase, just bring in your receipt and Target will adjust the price for you. Some exclusions do apply, so make sure you read Target’s policy before requesting a price adjustment.
Know the Clearance Codes
Clearance items are some of the best deals at Target, Palmer said, and they are marked down to certain levels in a certain order. “First, items will get marked down to 15% or 30% off, then to 50% off and finally end up at 70% off,” she said.
If you’re on the hunt for clearance items, they should be marked down in red or yellow stickers, according to Palmer. The new price and the percentage of the markdown will be in the top right-hand corner without a percent symbol. “Check the number in the upper-right corner of the price tag,” said Palmer. “If it says ’70,’ it’s been marked down to 70% off."
If a price ends in $0.04, this usually indicates it’s reached its lowest markdown.
Shop For the Holidays Early — or Late
Want Halloween or Christmas decorations, Easter baskets or back-to-school items that are practically free? Wait a few days or a few weeks after the holiday to buy them. Holiday items will often experience major price cuts even just the day after the holiday. But wait a week or so, and products could go down even more.
Here’s a list of days and times of year that Target offers holiday sale prices, according to All Things Target:
Valentine’s Day
Easter
Summer
Back-to-School
Halloween
Christmas
Stack ‘Em and Save
If you’ve done your pre-Target-run prep properly, you might have more than one coupon for a single item. No problem: Target lets you stack coupons. Don’t be shy about handing the checkout person a Target coupon, a manufacturer’s coupon and even a third coupon, such as a Target Circle discount for the same item.
Use a Cash-Back App or Website
To save even more money at Target, sign up for an Ibotta, Rakuten or BeFrugal account. These online programs and smartphone apps give you money back for selected items you buy at Target or other participating stores. Every service is slightly different, but the bottom line is you receive cash back for the items you buy.
Buy Discount Gift Cards
You can shave even more off your bill by buying discount gift cards at sites like Gift Card Granny or Raise. The cards are real gift cards that you use like cash, so the bonus is that the gift card savings are in addition to any savings with coupons or sales.
Don’t Rely on Advertisements
Periodically, Target might have unadvertised markdowns on items. These bargains will be labeled with red and white sale signs, and the signs will have dates on the bottom telling you how long the sales are valid, Palmer said.
“Some are valid longer than a week, some sale prices will last a month or more,” she said.
Go Green, Get Paid
Bring in your own reusable bags, and Target will give you a five-cent discount at checkout for each reusable. It’s not much, but it can add up — especially on those big shopping days.
Shop Online Instead of In-Store
“My advice to save money at Target that most people don’t know — and that Target does not talk about — is that online prices are cheaper than in the store,” said Vanessa Valiente, a San Diego-based personal shopper and creator of the fashion blog V-Style. “To get the online price in-store and save time, order the items online and then click on the ‘pick up in store’ option. If you are already in a Target store and want to get the online price, you can look up the item online and then have the cashier price match the item.”
This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal, or tax advice.
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